Hebrews 5-8.10.22

Scripture

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭5:12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.”

Observation-What does it say?

In this particular epistle to the Hebrews, the author is urging the people into spiritual growth. It seems they have been believers of Christ for some time now, but they seem to be stuck dealing with the same spiritual issues. The author compares them to “babies”, still in need of milk, not knowing how to do right. They should be maturing in their faith, eating the “solid food”, knowing the difference between right and wrong, which will continue to help them grow and get stronger with their walk with God. It’s time for them to grow up!

Understanding-What does it mean?

The study of God’s Word is more about transformation, than information.

Have you ever met someone who knows the Bible inside and out? They can tell you the history behind it, they even have scriptures memorized, and yet their lifestyle doesn’t reflect anything the Bible teaches? They may even claim to be a Christian for over 20 years, but it seems they have been “repeating the same grade” for 20 years. Shouldn’t we expect someone who has been walking with God for that long to be living a certain way? That is why the author of this passage gives such a great illustration by comparing these people to babies. Me being a parent myself, I would expect my kids to be walking by a certain age, talking by a certain age, and you better believe they should be potty trained at a certain age! If they aren’t, I may begin to question if something was seriously wrong with them. The same should be said in our spiritual development. It should be something we are continuously growing and learning from. It should be a constant, life learning and growing experience we need, as we share with others until God calls us home.

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”-James‬ ‭1:22-25

Life Application

Bring on the meat and potatoes!

I’m reminded of my own kids with this. They are so comfortable with eating their plain cheeseburgers, plain cheese pizza, or their mac and cheese with chicken nuggets. I try to have them venture out, try some different foods. One day, they took me up on my offer. They wanted a bite from my ribeye steak. I hesitantly let them get a piece. I saw their eyes brighten up, as they engulfed it, looking for more! Their eyes were now opened to so much more (better things) than they were so used to. All they had to do was step out and give it a try. I believe it’s the same way in our spiritual growth. We can get so comfortable doing the same thing, going through the same motions. God has so much more planned for us. His plan for us isn’t to be stagnant in our faith. He wants us to continuously grow. Just like any parent, you want to see your kid become the fully matured person you know they can be. There is so much more out there for us if we would just step out in faith and follow. Yes, it can be a little scary stepping into something new, trying something that you’ve never tried before. But I find peace and comfort knowing this: God loves me. God is always with me. God wants to give me His best. All I have to do is trust and follow Him. The best is yet to come!

-Moses Gaddi