7.1.19 Praise & Prayer Prompt: Spiritual Maturity

PRAISE & PRAYER PROMPT ••• The authorship of Hebrews is a matter of debate.
Personally, I tend to favor the probability that Paul wrote it.
But whether the writings of Paul or someone else, the book is a hearty serving of Biblical truth.
It explains the superiority of the new covenant of Jesus vs the Old Testament law.
However, you can sense a bit of frustration by the author with his audience.
In the NIV version, Hebrews 5:11 says, “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.”
The CSB is a little more harsh saying, “We have a great deal to say about this, and it is difficult to explain, since you have become too lazy to understand.”
ESV and KJV both call it “dull of hearing,” and NLT’s translation says, “you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.”
Ouch.
Those are some stinging words, no matter which way they are translated.
But the truth hurts and the message is clear—the recipients of this message had stopped growing in their faith.
We can’t point fingers in judgment.
It’s something we all have to be mindful of, even centuries removed from when these words of admonition were penned.
Going back to the NIV translation, verses 12-14 say, “In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.”
We don’t get to accept Christ and then do nothing.
A Christian life is a life that is always growing.
There’s no degree or plaque to be earned.
As the writer of Hebrews established in an earlier chapter, the Word of God is alive and active (Hebrews 4:12).
It’s always giving the reader new insights and there is always something to learn…
Starting with the basics of salvation and growing to more mature and deeper understandings of who God is.
Job 36:26a says, “How great is God—beyond our understanding!”
But with spiritual growth and maturity, we can better know His character, and build our trust in Him.
Today, as you pray, thank God for His Word and it’s ability to teach us more and more about Him.
Ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow as a Christian and to help you avoid the temptation of complacency.