Questions for Littles: About whom are the elementary doctrines that are the foundation of biblical thought and life (6:1a)? What are the first two parts of the foundation (v1b)? From what kind of works should we repent? Toward whom should we have faith? What are the second two parts of the foundation (v2a)? What are the third two parts of the foundation (v2b)? Although it was the hearers’ dullness that was preventing the preacher from assuming the foundation, in whom was he hoping that He would permit them to go on to the subject that builds upon that foundation (v3)?In the sermon this week, we heard about how the milk of Christianity are the elementary principles of Christ. And, the solid food of Christianity is learning more about Christ!
Notice how the milk of Christianity, its foundation, is about justification in Christ, sanctification from Christ, and glorification with Christ.
Repentance from dead works and faith toward God are about justification in Christ. A spiritually dead man can do no good thing. Scripture says that there are none righteous, not even one. No one who seeks God. Even our righteousnesses are as filthy rags. Our works are dead! We cannot be made right with God by what we do! What then? We need to have faith toward God that we can be made right with Him only by what He has done. Only by what Christ has done.
Washings (baptisms) and laying on of hands are about sanctification from Christ. Though the word used here is a more general term for washings, it can definitely include both the physical act and spiritual realities represented in Christian baptism. And that is exactly what it does: Jesus’ once for all sacrifice washes us clean from the guilt of our sin once and for all time when we believe.
And He also pours out upon us His Holy Spirit, who powerfully works in us to produce the life and mind and character of Christ in us, until we are conformed to His image. He washes us not only from sin’s penalty and sin’s power, but at last even its presence. What is one of the primary things that He uses to do this? His ordained servants, upon whom hands have been laid in ordination so that we may be equipped and grow up, and each of us be enabled to minister to the others (cf. Eph 4:11-16, Heb 13:7, 17).
Finally, the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment are about our glorification with Christ. Just as Christ has been raised bodily from the dead, so also will we to be with Him forever. At the judgment, we will be publicly and eternally owned by God as righteous, as adopted, as cleansed, and as being eternally worthy with Christ as our worthiness!
It’s all about Christ. If we aren’t obsessively depending upon Him, delighting in Him, and devoted to Him, then we haven’t even begun to “get it” yet as Christians—never mind growing up!
What place does Christ have in your moment to moment thoughts? What are His methods for improving that in your life?Suggested Songs: ARP45A “My Heart Is Greatly Stirred” or HB405 “My Jesus, I Love Thee”
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