The point is, sickness isn't fun. No, seriously, the point is that the old is comforting, isn't it? I'm almost positive that I'm not the only married man with a career that has a security blanket left over from the days of childhood (at least I hope I'm not...).
The same can be said about our spiritual past. When we become Christians, we bring with us the baggage of false worship, sinful lifestyles, pain, distrust (because of our being lead astray in religious matters) and many other things which sometimes hinder our growth in Christ. And, while we like to think that we have matured in our faith past the point of being tempted to go back, we're kidding ourselves if we think it is completely out of the question!
No one is exempt from the sicknesses of this world whether it be the sickness of the body or the ailment of the spirit. Without realizing, we can be swept away from the Truth into a lost condition.
If you don't believe me, think of the inspired writer of Hebrews when he, begging with every fiber of his being, pleaded with the brethren to leave behind those very things (he worded it as "Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. And this we will do if God permits." Hebrews 6:1-3). |
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Actually, all they do is crucify Christ afresh for our own superficial gain (Hebrews 6:6).
Thankfully, however, the Hebrews writer believed that the ancient Christians faced with going back to their Jewish beliefs would be strong enough, taking into consideration the will, grace and power of God, to kick the fever of temptation and withstand going to the closet to bring out ole' Blue (religiously speaking of course, I'm still going to have Blue next to me every time I get a sniffle) (Hebrews 6:9-12). And, as restoration Christians we whole heartedly, and correctly, believe that if they can do it, SO CAN WE!