If Christians would properly apply the first principles in Hebrews 12, they would grow and mature properly. Looking at God's Word through these first principles (loving God with all one's heart and loving one's neighbor as oneself) will incrementally strengthen the Christian and increase his sensitivity to truth and righteousness, and deter him from lapsing into ungodliness. By practicing these first principles, even the suffering we go through can be considered an investment in our character.