For the Mature

Look at this passage from Hebrews:

We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.  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!  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Wouldn’t it be silly for us to still be feeding our grown children milk from a bottle?  Ridiculous, right?  I mean, who does that?

However, when we turn away from the understanding that brings us peace that passes understanding (by giving thanks and rejoicing in Christ Jesus),  we are in essence putting back on diapers and running after a milk bottle.

Understanding Christ and his great love for us and desiring and pursuing his righteous work in our lives is maturity.  In fact, it’s like growing up and eating solid foods, food that sticks to the bones and makes us strong.

Notice the phrase “by constant use.”  It takes consistent choices to understand and learn at Jesus’ feet of his word, his ways, and his wisdom.  It takes study, applying ourselves to what we’ve learned, and grasping it – understanding it. 

Oh sure, there will be things we do not understand here in this life, but there’s plenty to understand and grasp and drink and grow and learn – and never stop learning of his goodness in our lives!

I don’t want to be an adult Christian sucking on a bottle, do you?  What an awful thought…