Hebrews 5:12-14
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to [a]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this [b]we will do if God permits.
Paul admonished some Hebrew people who were a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ for a long time, yet they lack spiritual maturity. It follows the idea that they've surely mature in their spiritual walk (In handling the word of God and practice) since they've been a Christian for a long time, and the expectation that they'll be able to handle or teach the word of God.
But instead, the opposite happens, they became stagnant and backward with their spiritual growth that even the basic christian doctrines needs to be repeated over again and thus unfit to handle or teach the word of God.
In a believer's life, spiritual growth is expected, the same with our physical body we experience growth continually, given we are healthy.
In order for Paul to drive home his point, he used the illustration of a natural baby who first drink milk as it is unable to digest solid food, but later in the baby's life it matures and is able to eat solid food as the body needs more nutrients for growth.
Same is true with our spiritual life, we also need food to grow, and the food for spiritual life is the word of God, Jesus Christ (the word, the bread from heaven).
John 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
Started a baby in the Christian faith, we didn't know about the different teachings and doctrines of the bible (God's word). At first, we only need spiritual milk (basic teachings of the bible) and must progress to eat solid food (advance teachings and doctrines and be able handle the word of God effectively).
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby,
How we can we grow to maturity in our faith?
1. We should not only read the bible but study it!
It should be our desire and zeal to continue learning God's word night and day, mastering the basics and never stops learning and applying the word of God.
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Studying the word of God on a daily basis will help us discern better between good and evil.
Acts 17:11 These were more [a]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
2. Food is important for physical growth. Word of God is important for spiritual growth.
Paul's message is not only for us to continue growing in faith, but more importantly the food that makes us grow spiritually, and that is the word of God.
Jesus Christ puts it above importance over the physical needs.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
3. Maturity in Christianity never stops.
Even if we memorize the whole bible, God can still give fresh revelation, wisdom and knowledge from His word, and it will never run out.
Paul considered to be the greatest theologian, blessed beyond measure with heavenly revelations and wisdom, yet he never claimed to have fully matured in the faith, because he knows that God is an endless source of wisdom and knowledge.
Philippians 3:12-13,
12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
Christians are called to be a discipler, there is a time to be a listener(student), but there should always be a time that Christians will be the talker(teacher).
But every Christian should always be a student of the bible (God's word).
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the [a]oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. 13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 But solid food belongs to those who are [b]of full age, that is, those who by reason of [c]use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to [a]perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this [b]we will do if God permits.
"Bonzai trees are cute, but not in Christian life."
Paul admonished some Hebrew people who were a believer of the Lord Jesus Christ for a long time, yet they lack spiritual maturity. It follows the idea that they've surely mature in their spiritual walk (In handling the word of God and practice) since they've been a Christian for a long time, and the expectation that they'll be able to handle or teach the word of God.
But instead, the opposite happens, they became stagnant and backward with their spiritual growth that even the basic christian doctrines needs to be repeated over again and thus unfit to handle or teach the word of God.
In a believer's life, spiritual growth is expected, the same with our physical body we experience growth continually, given we are healthy.
In order for Paul to drive home his point, he used the illustration of a natural baby who first drink milk as it is unable to digest solid food, but later in the baby's life it matures and is able to eat solid food as the body needs more nutrients for growth.
Same is true with our spiritual life, we also need food to grow, and the food for spiritual life is the word of God, Jesus Christ (the word, the bread from heaven).
John 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
Started a baby in the Christian faith, we didn't know about the different teachings and doctrines of the bible (God's word). At first, we only need spiritual milk (basic teachings of the bible) and must progress to eat solid food (advance teachings and doctrines and be able handle the word of God effectively).
1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow [a]thereby,
How we can we grow to maturity in our faith?
1. We should not only read the bible but study it!
It should be our desire and zeal to continue learning God's word night and day, mastering the basics and never stops learning and applying the word of God.
Joshua 1:8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Studying the word of God on a daily basis will help us discern better between good and evil.
Acts 17:11 These were more [a]fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
2. Food is important for physical growth. Word of God is important for spiritual growth.
Paul's message is not only for us to continue growing in faith, but more importantly the food that makes us grow spiritually, and that is the word of God.
Jesus Christ puts it above importance over the physical needs.
Matthew 4:4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’ ”
John 6:35 And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
3. Maturity in Christianity never stops.
Even if we memorize the whole bible, God can still give fresh revelation, wisdom and knowledge from His word, and it will never run out.
Paul considered to be the greatest theologian, blessed beyond measure with heavenly revelations and wisdom, yet he never claimed to have fully matured in the faith, because he knows that God is an endless source of wisdom and knowledge.
Philippians 3:12-13,
12 Not that I have already attained,[a] or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have [b]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
Christians are called to be a discipler, there is a time to be a listener(student), but there should always be a time that Christians will be the talker(teacher).
But every Christian should always be a student of the bible (God's word).
