| Day 717: Read today's devotional on Bible Gateway. Keep GrowingSo let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don't need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don't need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding. . . . When the ground soaks up the falling rain and bears a good crop for the farmer, it has God's blessing. But if a field bears thorns and thistles, it is useless. The farmer will soon condemn that field and burn it. Dear friends, even though we are talking this way, we really don't believe it applies to you. We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.
(Hebrews 6:1-3, 7-10) ReflectCertain elementary teachings are essential for all believers to understand. Those basics include the importance of faith, the foolishness of trying to be saved by good deeds, the meaning of baptism and spiritual gifts, and the facts of resurrection and eternal life. To go on to maturity in our understanding, we need to move beyond (but not away from) the elementary teachings to a more complete understanding of the faith. And this is what the author intends for believers to do (Hebrews 6:3). Mature Christians should be teaching new Christians the basics. Then, acting on what they know, the mature will learn even more from God's Word. The writer uses an analogy from agriculture to make a simple point. Real seeds (the gospel), given genuine care by the farmer (God) and planted in a fertile field (your heart and life) will produce a bountiful crop (spiritual maturity). Weeds (temptations) threaten to overwhelm the crop. If the field produces only weeds, then the seeds are lost and the field ruined. The Holy Spirit's conviction, the Word of God, and wise counsel help cut us cut those weeds and keep growing. RespondDiscouragement is a weed that stunts growth. When we feel forgotten by God, we get discouraged. Encouragement is the ultimate weed whacker. God is never unjust. He never forgets or overlooks our hard work for him. Let God's love for you and his intimate knowledge of your service for him bolster you as you face disappointment and rejection here on earth. | 
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