“Our Daily Bread”     http://odb.org/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie    http://www.harvest.org/devotional

Written by Beth Andrews for “Deeper Roots”  @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com

Original post @  https://dbethandrews.wordpress.com/2021/10/18/hebrews-turn-around/

Hebrews: Turn Around

POSTED ON OCTOBER 18, 2021 BY BETH ANDREWS

“Turn around. Don’t drown.” “Turn back. Bridge out.” Road signs tell the driver one thing: you need to reverse course. You need to change your direction. You are on a dangerous path. They are signs we would do well to heed. The Bible also puts up signs that call us to make a change in the way we are going. Scripture calls it “repentance” and we would also do well to heed these warnings.

The writer of Hebrews focuses on one aspect of repentance in his discussion of elementary teachings: “Repentance from acts that lead to death” (6:1) Remember that he has been talking to “lazy” believers who are unwilling to grow in the matters of the faith. They are content with surface knowledge – just enough to make sure they escape hell. You know, fire insurance.  Our author says that this is a foundational truth. I wonder if 21^st-century Christians understand it at all.

What is repentance? Paul described it like this: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret . . .” (2 Corinthians 7:10). It is a spiritual and moral change of attitude toward God which turns an individual from sin to God. It is recognizing the dangerous road we are on, how we got on it, and turning back to God. Repentance must have both sorrow and turning. We are often sorry for our behavior (well, let’s be honest, we’re sorry we got caught), but that doesn’t mean we turn back to God.  The Prodigal Son is the perfect expression of repentance.

So what does “acts that lead to death” mean? Other translations may say, “dead works.” This is referring to anything man does in an attempt to save himself.

Remember that the readers were largely Jewish, and Judaism had 613 commandments – expounded from the original ten commandments that God had given Moses.

These – including circumcision – were the Jew’s “gateway” to salvation. Do all the right things in all the right ways and you will be right before God. The problem was, no one could be right before God even if they followed every jot and tittle of those 613 rules. In the same way, non-Jews cannot be right with God by being “good enough.” Because we never will be.  

Salvation has never been about what we do or don’t do. It is always and only about the work that Jesus has done on the cross. Sola Gratia, Sola Fide, Sola Christus. Grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Beloved, it’s not too late to turn around. God will always welcome repentant sinners home.

*******************************************************************

P.S. (from bruce)  When there is no other place to turn…turn to God !!  If you’re not a “born again” Christian, is the Holy Spirit urging you to open this link ??  Here is the truth about how God’s grace is received to become a Christian in God’s eyes; through understanding and obeying the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   https://godsmanforever.com

To my brothers and sisters in Christ, please feel free to share this message of the cross with those in need…

You say you are a “born again” believer…  BUT is your soul “ON FIRE” for the Lord ??  If not, open this link – https://godsmanforever.com/2020/08/01/are-you-a-christian-in-gods-eyes-and-on-fire-for-the-lord-or-not/

Picture credit: https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C1SQJL_enUS832US832&sxsrf=AOaemvK4hLAIxW18iisXqvfMWQnxiSh0dw:1634645884794&source=univ&tbm=isch&q=image+2+cor+7:10&fir=OympmEU2b665KM%252CJHOaGQqsAOC1JM%252C_%253BmcBqwsqeIewZcM%252CVui7WQ6aZV2HdM%252C_%253B5Ek7QPsytbGQiM%252CRQMe6xp4UucSdM%252C_%253BLch7K1S9cZpyxM%252C1CzVwCeHpKSDzM%252C_%253Bw0anJU-Xf35ViM%252Ceh6X6R3U1dMk8M%252C_%253BhTC4-gnMWjpvPM%252CVui7WQ6aZV2HdM%252C_%253B6XzgFXMJXF4nPM%252CBCZQSnGopIWAQM%252C_%253BcXiwzTbT5r0Q2M%252C6fzpz8obO7PwmM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kTWEXlG2AA1eSfFhxVB24YeveYM-Q&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjgk6-6utbzAhXuoXIEHUmRBrwQjJkEegQIBxAC&biw=1238&bih=890&dpr=1#imgrc=N1fnj2Ov-lBIJM