Understanding Hebrews 6 and Living Out Faith in Everyday Life
At some point, almost everyone who follows Jesus has wondered. They ask themselves, “Am I really growing in my faith?” Or they may just question if they are going through the motions. The Bible gives us some pretty clear encouragement about this, especially in Hebrews chapter 6. Here’s what it means in plain, everyday language—and why it matters for your life.
Don’t Get Stuck at the Starting Line
Think of faith like learning to read. The basics—knowing the alphabet—are essential. But if you stopped there, you’d miss out on all the books, stories, and knowledge that reading unlocks. In the same way, Hebrews 6 tells us not to just keep repeating the basics. These include things like repenting from our mistakes, believing in God, and understanding baptism and other rituals. It also covers knowing about resurrection and judgment. These are important, but they’re meant to be a foundation for building something greater, not the whole building.
What Does It Mean to “Go Deeper”?
Going deeper in faith means more than just knowing facts about Jesus. It’s about living in a way that shows your faith is real. Let your beliefs change how you think. They should affect how you treat others and handle life’s ups and downs. It’s like planting a seed and nurturing it until it grows into a fruitful tree. If faith never grows, it never produces anything meaningful. God wants us to mature. He wants our faith to shine in our daily lives. This maturation should produce the “fruit” of good character, love, and service.
A Serious Warning—But Also a Message of Hope
Hebrews 6 also gives a tough warning. If someone has really experienced God, it’s serious if they then decide to completely turn away. They might have tasted His goodness and felt the Holy Spirit. They might have seen the truth. It’s not about simply messing up or having doubts. It’s a deliberate choice to reject God. This means joining those who are against Jesus. The writer compares it to land that receives plenty of rain but only produces thorns—it doesn’t fulfill its purpose. But even with this warning, the message is hopeful. The writer believes better things for those who keep pursuing Jesus—things that show true faith and salvation.
Your Kindness Matters to God
God isn’t unfair or forgetful. He sees every loving act, every moment you help someone else, even when nobody else notices. That means your quiet acts of kindness and service matter to Him. The encouragement is to keep loving, keep serving, and stay diligent in your walk with God. Don’t give up, even when it gets tough; God’s promises are worth the patience and faithfulness.
Depending on God, Not Just Yourself
Life is unpredictable, and we can’t control everything, no matter how much we plan. The Bible reminds us that our lives are like a vapor—short and fleeting. We shouldn’t boast about our plans. We are called to submit our lives and decisions to God. We should trust His guidance and wisdom. Ignoring this, or leaving God out of our plans, can lead to disappointment or worse. True wisdom comes from embracing God’s will and living each day with humble dependence on Him.
Abide in Christ and Be Fruitful
Jesus used the picture of a vine and branches to explain how our connection to Him works. He is the Vine—the source of life and strength—and we are the branches. If we stay connected to Him through faith, we receive everything we need to grow. This connection helps us produce good fruit in our lives (like love, kindness, patience, and self-control). If we get disconnected, we wither and lose our strength.
God, the wise gardener, prunes us so we can become even more fruitful. Sometimes this means going through hard times or letting go of things that hold us back. But it’s all for our good, helping us live the life God wants for us. The more we allow Jesus’ teachings to shape us, the more we reflect God’s goodness in the world.
Hold Onto Hope—It’s Your Anchor
In every storm, God’s promises are the anchor that hold us steady. Hebrews 6 reminds us of Abraham, who patiently waited and received what God promised. When God makes a promise, He keeps it. That’s why we can have hope, even when life feels uncertain. Jesus is our “forerunner”—He’s already gone ahead into God’s presence, and He anchors our souls in hope.
No matter what life throws at you, remember: Your hope in Jesus is solid and secure. He will not let you drift away.
Wrapping Up
Don’t settle for the basics. Move beyond the starting line of faith. Keep growing, keep loving, and trust God with all the details of your life. When you face storms, let your hope in Jesus be the anchor that keeps you strong and steady. His promises never fail, and His love is always with you.
Minister A Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 