SDA Sabbath School Lesson 7--1st Quarter 2022--Jesus, The Anchor of the Soul

[Wally]

 Lesson 7 February 5-11

Jesus, The Anchor of the Soul

Commentary in Navy                  Inspiration in Maroon

[Richard Myers]

Sabbath Afternoon

Read for This Week’s Study: Heb. 6:4–6, Matt. 16:24, Rom. 6:6, Heb. 10:26–29, Heb. 6:9–13, Heb. 6:17–20.

Memory Text: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.  Hebrews 6:19, 20

Hebrews 5:11-6:20 interrupts the theological exposition about Jesus’ priesthood in our behalf. Paul inserts there a severe warning about the danger of falling away from Christ.

 5:11   Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 
 5:12   For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. 
 5:13   For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 
 5:14   But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. 
 
Chapter 6

 6:1   Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 
 6:2   Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 
 6:3   And this will we do, if God permit. 
 6:4   For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 
 6:5   And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 
 6:6   If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put [him] to an open shame. 
 6:7   For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 
 6:8   But that which beareth thorns and briers [is] rejected, and [is] nigh unto cursing; whose end [is] to be burned. 
 6:9   But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 
 6:10   For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 
 6:11   And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 
 6:12   That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 
 6:13   For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 
 6:14   Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 
 6:15   And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 
 6:16   For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation [is] to them an end of all strife. 
 6:17   Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath: 
 6:18   That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 
 6:19   Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 
 6:20   Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 
 

Apparently, the people were in real danger of going down the slippery slope of self-pity and faithlessness. The apostle Paul is concerned that his readers and hearers may have had their spiritual senses dulled because of the difficult situations they were facing, and thus they had stopped growing in their understanding and experience of the gospel.

No, difficult situations are not the cause of faithlessness. It is because we do not look to Jesus for the help He wants to give. This is what we read in these verses. "Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat." Hebrews 5:11,12.

If we continue reading we find what are the first principles that need to be taught again. We are a dull people being 6,000 years away from the holiness we were created in. Paul encourages us that we have a Helper at our side who wants to indwell the heart and mind if we will let Him. If we allow our minds to wander away from Jesus, then we have no power to resist the smallest temptation. Israel had lost sight of the meaning of the sacrifices. Paul is instructing the Hebrews so that they might rightly understand the foundation of the Christian religion. He understands the issues since he was ignorant of what the symbols in the sanctuary represented and had set about to persecute those who were following Jesus.

Is not this a potential danger for us all, getting discouraged because of trials, and thus falling away?
 
The severe warning culminates, however, in an affectionate encouragement. Paul expresses faith in his readers and exalts Jesus as the embodiment of God’s unbreakable promise of salvation to them (Heb. 6:9-20). This cycle of warning and encouragement is repeated in Hebrews 10:26-39.

We will study this cycle and focus on the strong words of encouragement that Jesus provides for us.

It is important that we understand where Jesus is. Has He taken possession of the heart, or is He on the outside knocking on the door wanting in? How can we tell where He is? It is the Holy Spirit that convicts of sin and righteousness. What is He saying to you today? Are you refusing Him or following Him. What are the results seen in our lives? Is it the fruit of the Spirit or the works of the flesh? This is what needs to be understood that we might understand our relationship to Jesus. The Laodicean believes all is well when it is not. Many are in danger of having their probation closed (spewing out). Jesus loves us and does not want to see us die. He suffered and died that we might live. He is working for us today. He is our High Priest working to save our souls.

Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, February 12.

[Richard Myers]

Sunday       February 6

Tasting the Goodness of the Word

Read Hebrews 6:4, 5.

 6:4   For [it is] impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 
 6:5   And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 

What were believers given in Christ while they were faithful to Him?

To have been “enlightened” means to have experienced conversion (Heb. 10:32). It refers to those who have turned from the “darkness” of the power of Satan to the “light” of God (Acts 26:17, 18). It implies deliverance from sin (Eph. 5:11) and ignorance (1 Thess. 5:4, 5). The verbal form here suggests that this enlightening is an act of God achieved through Jesus, “the brightness of His glory” (Heb. 1:3, NKJV).

To “have tasted the heavenly gift” and “have become partakers of the Holy Spirit” (NKJV) are synonymous expressions. The “gift” of God may refer to His grace (Rom. 5:15) or to the Holy Spirit, through which God imparts that grace (Acts 2:38). Those who have “tasted” the Holy Spirit (John 7:37-39, 1 Cor. 12:13) have experienced the “grace” of God, which includes the power to fulfill His will (Gal. 5:22, 23).

To taste “the goodness of the word of God” (Heb. 6:5, ESV) is to experience personally the truth of the gospel (1 Pet. 2:2, 3). “The powers of the age to come” refers to the miracles God will perform for believers in the future: resurrection (John 5:28, 29), transformation of our bodies, and eternal life. Believers, however, are beginning to “taste” them in the present. They have experienced a spiritual resurrection (Col. 2:12, 13), a renewed mind (Rom. 12:2), and eternal life in Christ (John 5:24).

Paul probably has in mind the wilderness generation, who experienced the grace of God and His salvation. The wilderness generation was “enlightened” by the pillar of fire (Neh. 9:12, 19; Ps. 105:39), enjoyed the heavenly gift of manna (Exod. 16:15), experienced the Holy Spirit (Neh. 9:20), tasted the “good word of God” (Josh. 21:45), and “the powers of the age to come” in the “wonders and signs” performed in their deliverance from Egypt (Acts 7:36). Paul suggests, however, that just as the wilderness generation apostatized from God, despite those evidences (Num. 14:1-35), the audience of Hebrews was in danger of doing the same, despite all the evidences of God’s favor that they had enjoyed.

Many in the exodus from Egypt were never converted. If this was the case then what Paul is saying would not apply. It only applies to those who were truly converted and tasted of the love, joy, and peace that comes from abiding in Christ. There are many Laodiceans today who have never been converted, but believe they are. This does not apply to them. Only those who have been truly converted can fall away.

What has been your own experience of the things that these verses in Hebrews have talked about? For instance, how have you experienced the enlightening that the text refers to?

[Richard Myers]

Monday         February 7

Impossible to Restore

Compare Hebrews 6:4-6, Matthew 16:24, Romans 6:6, Galatians 2:20, Galatians 5:24, and Galatians 6:14. What does this comparison suggest about what it means to crucify Christ?

The original text in Greek emphasizes the word “impossible.” It is impossible for God to restore those who have “fallen away” because “they are crucifying once again the Son of God” (Heb. 6:6, ESV). Paul wants to stress that there is no other way of salvation except through Christ (Acts 4:12). Salvation by any other means is as impossible as it is “for God to lie” (Heb. 6:18) or to please God “without faith” (Heb. 11:6).

To crucify again the Son of God is a figurative expression that seeks to describe something that happens in the personal relationship between Jesus and the believer.

Yes, to crucify Christ is to sin that He might pay for another sin. He has already done so, but to sin after knowing of His love and sacrifice is to crucify Him afresh.

When the religious leaders crucified Jesus, they did it because Jesus posed a threat to their supremacy and autonomy. Thus, they hoped to eliminate Jesus as a person and destroy a powerful and dangerous enemy. Similarly, the gospel challenges the sovereignty and self-determination of the individual at the most fundamental level. The essence of Christian life is to take up the cross and deny oneself (Matt. 16:24). This means to crucify “the world” (Gal. 6:14), the “old man” (Rom. 6:6), and “the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal. 5:24, ESV). The purpose of the Christian life is that we undergo a kind of death. Unless we experience this death to self, we cannot receive the new life God wants to give us (Rom. 6:1-11).

The struggle between Jesus and self is a struggle to death (Rom. 8:7, 8; Gal. 5:17). It is a difficult battle that is not won at once. This passage does not refer to the person who sometimes fails in the battle against the “old man” and the “flesh.” This sin refers to the person who, after having experienced genuine salvation and what it implies (Heb. 6:4, 5), decides that Jesus is a threat to the kind of life he or she wants to have and moves to kill their relationship with Him. That is, as long as the person does not fully choose to turn away from Christ, there is still the hope of salvation.

Amen! To fall away is to reject God's love and offer of forgiveness. it is not to sin as did Moses at the end of his life. What happens to lead to falling away is to sin and not be ashamed of crucifying Christ afresh. When we sin, it brings reproach upon Jesus. Do we care? If we cease to be hurt when we crucify Jesus afresh, then we are in the process of falling away. When we no longer care about hurting Jesus, and we had been truly converted, we have fallen away. What more can God do in that the grace that converted us, has lost its ability to touch the heart that has been hardened against the still small voice that speaks of His great love.

What does it mean to die to “self,” to take the “cross”? What is the thing that you find most difficult to hand over to the dominion of Christ?

When we make a full surrender to God, when we love Him with the whole heart, then we have died to self. As long as we maintain this total surrender, we are dead to self and do not sin. What ever we refuse to "hand over" to God is an idol that reveals we are not dead to self.

[Richard Myers]

Tuesday        February 8

No Sacrifice for Sins Left

The warning of Hebrews 6:4-6 is very similar to the warning found in Hebrews 10:26-29. Paul explains that the rejection of Jesus’ sacrifice will leave the readers without any means for the forgiveness of sin because there is no other means for that forgiveness besides Jesus (Heb. 10:1-14).

Read Hebrews 10:26-29.

10:26   For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 
 10:27   But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 
 10:28   He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 
 10:29   Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 


In what three ways does the author describe the sin for which there is no forgiveness?

The author does not say that there is no atonement for any sin committed after receiving the knowledge of truth. God has appointed Jesus as our Advocate (1 John 2:1). Through Him we have forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9). The sin for which there is no sacrifice or atonement is described as trampling underfoot the Son of God, profaning the blood of the Covenant, and outraging the Holy Spirit (Heb. 10:29). Let’s review the meaning of these expressions.

The expression “trampled the Son of God underfoot” (Heb. 10:29, NKJV) describes the rejection of Jesus’ rule. The title “Son of God” reminded the audience that God has installed Jesus at His right hand and promised to make His enemies “a footstool” for His feet (Heb. 1:13; see also Heb. 1:5-12, 14, ESV). The trampling of Jesus underfoot implies that the apostate has treated Jesus as an enemy. In the context of the argument of the epistle (Heb. 1:13), it could be implied that, as far as the life of the apostate is concerned, Jesus has been taken off the throne (which is occupied now by the apostate himself) and set as the footstool instead. This is what Lucifer wanted to do in heaven (Isa. 14:12-14) and what the “lawless one” would attempt to do in the future (2 Thess. 2:3, 4, NRSV).

The expression “has profaned the blood of the covenant” refers to the rejection of Jesus’ sacrifice (Heb. 9:15-22). It implies that the blood of Jesus is devoid of cleansing power.

The expression “insulted the Spirit of grace” is very powerful. The Greek term enybrisas (“insult, outrage”) involves the manifestation of hubris, which refers to “insolence” or “arrogance.” This term stands in stark contrast to the description of the Holy Spirit as “the Spirit of grace.” It implies that the apostate has responded to God’s offer of grace with an insult.

The apostate is in an untenable position. He rejects Jesus, His sacrifice, and the Holy Spirit.

"Wilful sin" is quite different from sin that is not wilful. When we know what we are doing, are aware of it, it is more serious than sins that are not wilful. Both reveal a separation from God if the sin is a known sin. It is the intention that makes the difference. When Moses struck the Rock, it was not wilful, it was not planned. But, it surely did reveal self was alive and Christ was not in His heart. When we wilfully sin, it is truly crucifying Jesus afresh knowingly. It is a very dangerous position and needs to be addressed so that one does not develop a habit of resisting the Holy Spirit when He tells us our danger.

[Richard Myers]

Wednesday      February 9

Better Things

After the strong and sincere warning of Hebrews 6:4-8, Paul expresses confidence that the readers have neither fallen away from the Son, nor will they in the future. He believes that his audience will receive the warning and produce the appropriate fruits. They are like the “earth,” which is cultivated by God and produces the fruits He expects. These people will receive the blessing from God (Heb. 6:7), which is “salvation” (Heb. 6:9).

Read Hebrews 6:9-12.

 6:9   But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak.
 6:10   For God [is] not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
 6:11   And we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end:
 6:12   That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 

List the good things that the audience has done and continues to do and explain what they mean.

Believers show their love toward God’s “name,” that is, toward God Himself, by their service to the saints. These were not isolated actions in the past, but sustained actions that have extended into the present. Exceptional acts do not reveal the true character of a person. The weightiest evidence of love toward God is not “religious” acts per say, but acts of love toward fellow human beings, especially those who are disadvantaged (Matt. 10:42, Matt. 25:31-46). Thus, Paul exhorts believers not to “forget” to do good (Heb. 13:2, 16).

Look at Hebrews 6:12. It warns against their becoming “dull” or “sluggish” (ESV), which characterizes those who fail to mature and who are in danger of falling away (Heb. 5:11, Heb. 6:12). Hope is not kept alive by intellectual exercises of faith, but by faith expressed in acts of love (Rom. 13:8-10).

Paul wants the readers to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. He has already presented the wilderness generation as a negative example of those who, through lack of faith and perseverance, failed to inherit what was promised. He then presents Abraham (Heb. 6:13-15) as an example of one who through “faith and patience” inherited the promises. The list of positive exemplars is lengthened with the people of faith in Hebrews 11, and it climaxes with Jesus in Hebrews 12 as the greatest example of faith and patience (Heb. 12:1-4). In Revelation 14:12, faith, patience, and commandment keeping are characteristics of the saints in the last days.

Sometimes we have to give words of warning to those people whom we love. What can we learn from the apostle regarding warning and encouraging others?

God always deals with us if we have not passed the point of not return with both reproof and encouragement as we see with Paul's writings in Hebrews. We ought to do likewise when we see others who are not walking in the light God has so graciously given to His children. The Laodicean message is also a good example. Jesus utters a very strong rebuke to His church today, but He also encourages us that there is hope and He tells us what we must do in order to obtain the precious gift of life eternal.

[Richard Myers]

Thursday       February 10

Jesus, the Anchor of the Soul

Paul culminates his warning against apostasy and encouragement toward love and faith with a beautiful, soaring exposition of assurance in Christ.

Read Hebrews 6:17-20.

 6:17   Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed [it] by an oath:
 6:18   That by two immutable things, in which [it was] impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
 6:19   Which [hope] we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;
 6:20   Whither the forerunner is for us entered, [even] Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. 

How did God guarantee His promises to us?

God guaranteed His promises for us in several ways. First, God guaranteed His promise with an oath (Heb. 6:17). According to Scripture, God’s oaths to Abraham and David became the ultimate basis of confidence in God’s permanent favor for Israel. When Moses sought to secure God’s forgiveness for Israel after the apostasy with the golden calf, he referred to God’s oath to Abraham (see Exod. 32:11-14, Gen. 22:16-18). The implied strength of his plea was that God’s oath was irrevocable (Rom. 9:4; Rom. 11:28, 29).

Similarly, when the psalmist interceded before God for Israel, he claimed God’s oath to David. God had said: “I will not violate my covenant or alter the word that went forth from my lips. Once for all I have sworn by my holiness; I will not lie to David. His offspring shall endure forever, his throne as long as the sun before me. Like the moon it shall be established forever, a faithful witness in the skies” (Ps. 89:34-37, ESV). According to the New Testament, both oaths were fulfilled in Jesus, the seed of Abraham, who ascended and was seated on the throne of David (Gal. 3:13-16; Luke 1:31-33, 54, 55).

Second, God has guaranteed His promises to us by the act of seating Jesus at His right hand. Jesus’ ascension has the purpose of corroborating the promise made to the believers because Jesus ascended as a “forerunner on our behalf” (Heb. 6:20, ESV emphasis author’s). Thus, the ascension reveals to us the certainty of God’s salvation for us. God led Jesus to glory through the suffering of “death for everyone,” so that He might bring “many children to glory” (Heb. 2:9, 10, NRSV). Jesus’ presence before the Father is the “anchor of the soul” (Heb. 6:19), that has been fastened to the throne of God. The honor of God’s rule has been waged on the fulfillment of His promise to us through Jesus. What more assurance do we need?

What do you feel when you think that God has made an oath to you? Why should that thought alone help give you assurance of salvation, even when you feel unworthy?

When Adam sinned, it led to me having a fallen sinful evil nature. I could blame him for all of my troubles, but because Jesus told him just after sin that He would give Him a second chance to obtain everlasting life, and the offer would apply to all of his children, and that the cost to do so was infinitely high, and that the reward for all who would adhere to the requirement would not only obtain eternal life in a world without sin, but would be given important opportunities to help secure a universe without the danger of sin ever again appearing. What a deal!! So I have no excuse for not doing my part which is immeasurably small when comparing it to God's part in this great plan of redemption and securing eternal peace in the entire universe! What is this oath (covenant) God made in the Garden that means so much to me? "And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel." Genesis 3:15. 

Yes, all of the other covenants are a blessing, but this one addresses me from the very beginning of sin. Matter of fact, the covenant was made between Jesus and His Father from the foundation of the Earth. It was not an easy thing for our heavenly Father to do. He risked losing His innocent Son for eternity. This is love!! And the promise is that God can give me a hatred of sin that I do not have naturally. It comes when I love the Lord my God with all of my heart. I hate sin because it hurts my Savior. And, if I will maintain my whole heart love for Him, He will empower me to continue to hate sin so that I do not hurt Him any more!

[Richard Myers]

Friday         February 11

Further Thought: Read Ellen G. White, “John the Beloved,” pp. 539-545, in The Acts of the Apostles; “Judas,” pp. 716-722, in The Desire of Ages.

“The warfare against self is the greatest battle that was ever fought. The yielding of self, surrendering all to the will of God, requires a struggle; but the soul must submit to God before it can be renewed in holiness.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 43.

Amen!  What did we learn from this? 1.  The battle with self will be lost by most. Many are called, but few choose to follow. Why? Because it is not only a great battle, but the greatest of all. Why? Because we are evil by nature and need to be transformed in character. 2.  Those who win the battle with self will be "renewed in holiness." When many read this, they continue on without seeking to understand what it means to be renewed in holiness. They can't comprehend what it means so they go on happily thinking they are "rich and increased with goods."

“John desired to become like Jesus, and under the transforming influence of the love of Christ he did become meek and lowly. Self was hid in Jesus. Above all his companions, John yielded himself to the power of that wondrous life. …

It was John’s deep love for Christ which led him always to desire to be close by His side. The Saviour loved all the Twelve, but John’s was the most receptive spirit. He was younger than the others, and with more of the child’s confiding trust he opened his heart to Jesus. Thus he came more into sympathy with Christ, and through him the Saviour’s deepest spiritual teaching was communicated to the people. …

The beauty of holiness which had transformed him shone with a Christlike radiance from his countenance. In adoration and love he beheld the Saviour until likeness to Christ and fellowship with Him became his one desire, and in his character was reflected the character of his Master.” — Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, pp. 544, 545.

If you had any reservations as to what it means to be "renewed in holiness," this last quote ought to have answered your concerns. But, many will yet undo what is being said because it does not fit with their lives nor their understanding.

Discussion Questions:

    The lives of John, the beloved disciple, and Judas Iscariot provide an important contrast. When Jesus saw John and his brother, He called them Boanerges, sons of thunder. John had grave defects. Judas also had defects, but they were not more dramatic or serious than John’s. Why did John come to be transformed into the image of Jesus while Judas committed the sin against the Holy Spirit? What was the difference? 

The gospel explains it. How are we saved (transformed)? By grace. What is grace? It is the love of God for us while we were yet sinners. It is this love that saved John, converted him, transformed him in the character of holiness. Because of our fallen evil nature, we need to be converted in order to do any good thing. When self is alive, we manifest the works of the flesh and are under condemnation. See Romans 8:1 in a proper Bible. There  is no condemnation to those who are in Christ who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. How did John come to love Jesus so very much? He spend time listening to Him. By beholding His character, His glory, he was changed into the same image (character). "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. 3:18.

     Jesus invites believers to take up their crosses and follow Him. What is the difference between taking the cross and submitting to abuse from others?

The most weighty trust and the highest honor God can bestow upon us is to make us  partakers in the suffering of Jesus. Like Jesus we are to be faithful witnesses
 by loving those who despitefully use us.

    Why does God require a total surrender of our lives to Him? What is the relationship between free will and salvation?

In order to cease sinning, to develop a character that is loving and kind, we must be changed into the image of God. For this to happen we must die and live for Jesus. There is no half way. God wants the whole heart so He can cleanse it white as snow. It we will not surrender the whole heart, then there is something more important to us than is Jesus.

God does not make us choose Him and freedom from sin. For God it was easy to make Adam. It is not easy to remake sinners into His image. It is impossible for God to transform sinners without their help. Our part is so small it cannot be measured when compared to God's part which is immeasurably large. Without our part we shall not be saved. What is our part? Beholding Jesus. By knowing God we will be transformed and be fit for heaven. God cannot make someone love Him. The requirement for salvation is to love the Lord our God with all of the heart, not most of it. The only way we can have this whole heart love is to know Him intimately. The choice is ours, to sped time getting to know God, or to spend our time in the world. It would be well to spend a thoughtful hour a day contemplating the life of Christ, especially the closing scenes where we see His grace. But, for many that is too much to ask.  How very sad.