“I have much to say to you about Jesus, but it is difficult to make it clear to you, since you have become so dull in your spiritual senses. For although you ought to be teachers of others because you have been Christians so long, you actually need someone to teach you over and over again the very elements of the truths that God has given us, and you have gotten into such a state that you are in constant need of milk instead of solid food” Hebrews 5:11,12 (Williams New Testament).
What if you were to explore deeper things with the Holy Spirit’s input in mind?
“I have much to say to you about Jesus, but it is difficult to make it clear to you, since you have become so dull in your spiritual senses. For although you ought to be teachers of others because you have been Christians so long, you actually need someone to teach you over and over again the very elements of the truths that God has given us, and you have gotten into such a state that you are in constant need of milk instead of solid food” Hebrews 5:11,12 (Williams New Testament).
This passage struck me funny when I first read it recently – the idea of a grown person still needing – and being satisfied with milk when the whole range of food is waiting to be experienced. But then I thought – hey – is this true of me?
We once had a dog that we sent to obedience school a couple of times when she was a puppy. The only obedience things she ever learned were in those two sessions – she never grew beyond that. Sadly, this can be true of us Christians as well. The basic things we learned when we came to Christ is where we park for years and years.
We have a partnership with One Life One Chance in the San Quintin valley of Mexico. There are a number of house churches in that valley started and pastored by eager people who know the basics of salvation, but because of no training opportunities, continue to preach milk – vital, yes, but not deep. Our church has sponsored a pastors training weekend for a few years now complete with seminars and study materials. The pastors have embraced this and loved moving to meat with their congregations.
What if you were to explore deeper things with the Holy Spirit’s input in mind? Things like sanctification; suffering; outreach and mission; calling and spiritual gifts; finances and the concept of God’s ownership; law and grace; Christianity and culture – the list can go on and on and resources are plentiful. Just go to a thrift store and pick up a great spiritual book for a dollar – you can do it!
Interesting – when they instruct you about breathing masks on the plane, they tell you to put your own mask on first and then help your child to put theirs on. The Christian life is not just for you and me but for us to be involved with others. First attend to your own spiritual growth and then help others along the way.
The latest podcast with Mark and Angela Hutchinson deals well with this concept as we talk about reconciling suffering with the goodness of God. It’s a meat talk – not a milk one. Go to the CAC website, click ‘resources’, then ‘podcasts’ and have a listen.
Pastor Leon Throness
