Lenten Devotion – Go On To Maturity
Day 18, 5 March 2024
“About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.”
“Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity… We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” Hebrews 5:11-6:12
The writer warns the church who “have become dull of hearing” to go on towards maturity. The word “become” suggests something that was taking place (or was something actionable).
In other words, I chose an action and I made it happen for myself.
The church chose milk instead of solid food, even though they were ready for solid food. The writer warned in Heb 6:4-8 that refusing to mature is a serious matter. For a person to know better and still choose to deny the truth is likened to a piece of land that is worthless and ready to be cursed. It may reach a stage where is no hope for repentance for such a person. Have we abandoned our first love? (Rev 2:4)
I am reminded, funnily enough, that to grow in maturity, is to go back to the basics and get it right. To do this, let us consider two aspects to embark on:
1) Come back to the Word
- God speaks with intention, so let’s not to read our own interpretation into the Word but fully embrace God’s way
- Come back to the joy of discovering the intended message of our Saviour
2) Come back to Prayer
- Isn’t it wonderful that we can have direct communication with our God?
- Let’s come back to prayerful dependence by God’s strength (Heb 6:3)
- Let’s also watchfully listen and obey His assignment to us when we pray
Finally, the writer addresses the church. Growth isn’t so much an individual one but one that the whole body of Christ shares in together. Fruitfulness in maturity and ministry cannot be separated from each other.
Let us encourage one another to press on towards maturity and serve together faithfully, until Christ comes again. Amen.
Jeremy Ho