"Let Us... Press On"

by F. McCormick | Category: General | Jan 1956

These words are written to those together in the house of God (Hebrews 6. 1; 3.6). It is evident, therefore, that a standard is set before God's people towards which they must ever be striving, and in which there may be failure to attain. It is clear that Paul had difficulty in conveying to them many things hard of interpretation, concerning the Melchizedek priesthood, seeing they had become dull of hearing (Hebrews 5.11). It was essential that they should be in such spiritual condition and advancement of growth as to be able to apprehend the deeper things of God connected with the worship and service of God's house. The prayer of the apostle in Colossians 1.9, 10 is very apt, "That ye may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,... bearing fruit ... and increasing in the knowledge of God."

To the church in Corinth he writes,

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ" (1 Corinthians 3.1).

It is well for us at times to take account of our spiritual standing

try your own selves,"" prove your own selves." Are we advancing in the knowledge of God's will as we should?

These saints in God's house by reason of the time ought to have been teachers, but alas! it was needful that someone should teach them the rudiments of the first principles of the oracles of God; they had become such as had need of milk, and not of solid food.

True, God has given to His people "teachers" (Ephesians 4.11), and the blessed Holy Spirit to guide into all the truth; nevertheless, our progress in spiritual things can only be according to the measure in which we appropriate to ourselves such teaching, as individuals, and as a people, and give practical expression thereto.

It is evident that these Hebrew saints had been drifting from the things that were heard, and this is a constant danger. How easy it is to drift! It requires no effort. Inattention to reading and prayer, attendance at Assembly meetings neglected, and a spirit of indifference and slothfulness allowed to creep in, and almost unawares, sometimes, it is discovered how far the drift has taken us from the revealed will of God. Let us stand upon the watch tower, and show the same diligence unto the fulness of hope even to the end.

"That ye be not sluggish, but imitators of them who through faith and patience inherit the premises" (Hebrews 6.11, 12).

Spiritual progress is essential to our apprehension of God's will for us. It was essential that the Hebrews should learn something of the Melchizedek priesthood of Christ, and His place of service in the heavenly sanctuary, so that they themselves could intelligently function in worship and service according to God's will. Otherwise they would have been all confused, as indeed many are today, endeavouring to join the ceremonials of the law with what is proper to the new covenant.

"Now in the things which we are saying the chief point is this: We have such a High Priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man" (Hebrews 8.1, 2).

The Great Priest over the house of God is "a Son, perfected for evermore "who now appears before the face of God for us.

We also see a people unconditionally sanctified, and perfected for ever "through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Into their minds God has put His laws, and written them on their hearts (Hebrews 8.10), and consequently, as His people, they are to appreciate their high privileges and fulfil their responsibilities.

"Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holy place by the blood of Jesus, ... And having a Great Priest over the house of God; LET US DRAW NEAR" (Hebrews 10.19-22).

Such is the unspeakable privilege of God's people, which should be rightly understood, and observed with due reverence and holy fear. When we enter into the holy place, which is in heaven, as a holy priesthood we offer up spiritual sacrifices, which are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. At great price obtained we this freedom.

Our condition of heart, and the measure of our knowledge and appreciation of the Person and work of Christ will determine the measure and quality of our offerings. In Leviticus 1 it will be seen that a variety of offerings were acceptable, all of which were "a sweet savour unto the LORD "-nevertheless they reflected the wealth or poverty of the offerer. Likewise our spiritual prosperity or poverty may be seen in our spiritual sacrifices. We speak not of young believers who in sincerity of heart bring their turtle doves in their five words of acceptable thanksgiving, a sweet savour unto the Lord.

We think rather of the higher richer tone which may be possible by more diligent attention and exercise in raising our spiritual standards to greater heights. In this there is no finality, we should ever press on, and we should give as we get. However high we may reach, we can only say with David, "Of Thine own have we given Thee." Nevertheless, God expects the first and the best. Are we giving it? We are well aware that even where a church has been enriched and gifted with all utterance and knowledge (1 Corinthians 1.5), it is possible to become carnal and fail to function correctly (1 Corinthians 3. 1; 11.18), and from this we should take warning.

Those in God's house should make progress in divine things, their faith, love and obedience should grow exceedingly, and abound (2 Thessalonians 1.3, 4).

"Therefore let us cease to speak of the first principles of Christ, and press on unto perfection" (full growth, R.V.M.) (Hebrews 6.1).

In spiritual growth there are many conditions to be observed, and there is nothing more delightful to the heart of God than to behold the forward movement, "Among the chariots of my princely (willing, R.V.M.) people" (Song of Songs 6.12). Growth is a gradual process by which development and strength are acquired for greater things in the service of God, hence saints are exhorted to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3.18).

We need as individuals, Mary-like, to sit at the feet of the Master in our homes, to listen to His words, and as a together-people to sit at God's feet like Israel to hearken to His law (Deuteronomy 33.3), thus receiving the implanted, or inborn word, revealed to us by His Spirit. The Scriptures are full of the choicest wheat, and finest honey, to feed and delight the souls of God's people, whereby they may grow from strength to strength. Let us press on, therefore, striving eagerly to embrace and hold tenaciously those things which will result in our full growth and maturity.

Let us leave behind the things of spiritual childhood (1 Corinthians 13.11), and seek to obey Paul's exhortation to Timothy to "give diligence to present thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, handling aright (holding a straight course in R.V.M.) the word of truth "(2 Timothy 2.15).

Immaturity of knowledge will result in a deficient testimony to God's ways and truth, hence the need to press on unto perfection, that God may find greater pleasure in His people. It is written:

"And if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10.38).

There is the ever-present danger of looking back, shrinking back, and going back, as seen in the examples given in Hebrews.

Let us not be among such, but let us press on unto perfection against every obstacle. We may expect the stream to be against us as it was against those Hebrew saints, but every encouragement is given to press on. They are reminded, and we too, that "yet a very little while, He that cometh shall come, and shall not tarry " (Hebrews 10.87). They are reminded of men and women of faith who pressed on to the end, strangers and pilgrims on the earth of whom "God is not ashamed ... to be called their God," and "of whom the world was not worthy." Moreover, they are to keep before them the perfect pattern and example of the Lord Himself.

"Looking unto Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith."

And that they wax not weary fainting in their souls, they are to

"Consider Him that hath endured such gainsaying of sinners against themselves" (Himself, R.V.M.) (Hebrews 12. 1-3).

Let us be borne along with burning zeal and undiminished faith towards the goal, pressing on to perfection in spiritual stature, of increased knowledge of God, of increased and higher heights of testimony to the ways and truth of God, and our presentation to a perishing world of the gospel of God.

"Now the God of peace ... make you perfect in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever, Amen" (Hebrews 13.20, 21).

F. McCormick | Jan 1956
General