Hebrews 5: 11-14
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. 12 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! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.
One question: would you rather be a baby or an adult? Honestly, in my opinion both have their pro's and con's but the adult side wins it for me. As a baby, think about the thought process of seeing things. You have no idea what a ceiling fan is. You have never been taught what a bird is. You don't know colors, numbers, words, or what smells belong to what objects. That seems horrible to me...but at the same time, a baby has no responsibility. You need to use the bathroom? Just go. Someone else will clean it up. Feel like hurling your Gerber's everywhere...go for it. Mom's got a rag.
Now, enough of the nasty and gross descriptions of the life of a baby. However, as an adult, it's not much different. No, we don't go around puking on people and using the bathroom on ourselves during a meeting or at lunch. We make our share of messes though. Our thought process gets us in trouble and we suffer the consequences. As an adult, we have lots of responsibilities - whether you are married or not. Homeless or a home owner. No matter what.
In this passage, we see that some Christians are like babies and some are mature adults. Babies need milk, which is a liquid and easy to take in. It provides all the nutrients (for the most part) that an infant would need. The comparison here is relating Christians who struggle to live and understand basic biblical principles out in their everyday lives. We should be "teachers" of the gospel, but truth is, some do not understand the basics enough to share it with others.
On the other hand, the mature Christians who eat solid foods, are trained in the gospel and in faith to react to sin in their lives. These Christians are strong in the word and can recognize evil and good. Living by bread (solid food) instead of milk, is much harder, as there is much more responsibility involved and expected.
No matter our situation, we should recognize that someone has taught us and helped us along the way. As a baby, you were taken care of by somebody. My mother took care of me. I am thankful for that. She understood that I was incapable of doing the basic of things. All I could do was look around and spit up on myself. She knew my needs and she met them. Likewise, Christians who can teach and share should minister and provide for those who are in need of growth and improving. Being able to live on "solid foods" or living by the spirit in righteousness carries much responsibility and is not an act. It is a true way of living. Maybe there are areas in your life, as there are in mine, that we can improve on to become more mature in our walk with God.
I don't want to be a baby...
No comments:
Post a Comment