As we continue on this journey of growing in spiritual maturity, we will look at this last elementary teaching that the writer of Hebrews mentions (the “milk”), which is “the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment”. Both of these doctrines have to do with the future, teachings about the end times.
While all the basic teachings mentioned by the author are important, these last two are both basic (basic to becoming a believer) as well as more difficult concepts in God’s Word. I believe that the author is basically saying to us, “Okay, we’ve talked plenty about the basic beliefs of our faith, the basic beliefs of Christianity–BUT WE MUST GROW BEYOND THESE TEACHINGS. A life in Christ is more than just believing. A life in Christ is about following!”
Let’s look again at our key Scriptural text:
Hebrews 6:1-3 (TNIV)
1 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings [the milk] about Christ and be taken forward to maturity [the meat], not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites [or about baptisms], the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so.
So, what is the “meat” of our walk with Christ? It is moving beyond belief to living out these beliefs in our real lives.
As we look at what it takes to “be taken forward to Maturity”, we will start seeing the meat that the writer of Hebrews talked about! In order to find true fulfillment in life, in order to find peace in who we are, we need to do two things: We need to GROW, to mature, as followers of Jesus Christ and we need to move on, keep moving, and not stop!
Maturity in Christ is always characterized by
— a sense of becoming, not arriving. The growing Christian is reaching forward, not resting on what has already happened.
— a sense of wonder, not complacency. The growing Christian is more likely to know how difficult the questions are, rather than how easy the answers are.
— a sense of commitment, not lethargy. The world’s people need the peace God offers; our social systems need God’s justice; our bodies need God’s healing. The growing Christian acts in faith to become God’s servant to the world, even under stress. (1)
Jesus–the fulfillment of the OLD testament law–is the key here! We WILL grow as we apply the wisdom of God, indeed the wisdom of Jesus, to our lives and WRESTLE with each and every aspect. When we do this we will grow and we will mature!
We need to move on, keep moving, and not stop. Jesus didn’t stand still, Jesus walked everywhere He went and He kept moving on! It is the same thing that I, as a father, want from my children. I get joy out of seeing them grow, out of seeing them mature in life as they apply the concepts of love, hard work, understanding and compassion to their lives. I get joy out of seeing them find fulfillment in their lives. It is the same way with God! He is OUR Father!
I am so passionate about this Scripture, why? Because once I experienced this and embraced it, my life changed! “If I knew then what I know now……
(1) LAB Commentary