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.
This next section extends through 6:20, but will break it down a little. I'll make a few observations, here and in the comments.
First, these 4 verses can be harsh, but they are written out of a deep concern for Christian growth. I think it is fair to say that the author of Hebrews was a good teacher, pastor and leader, yet seems to guage the level of Christian growth among his church/hearers as far short of where their their faith should be. He says they are 'slow to learn.' This has nothing to do with intellectual ability, but rather with their attention to Christian truth and Christian practice.
Do you think this is still true of 'church' today? How?
I think we are too quick to accept things as our own and too slow to give things up and let God take over. We are not "slow to learn" how to be good preachers, or musicians, or care givers, or whatever. If I just study Rob Bell, Chris Tomlin, or Mother Teresa enough, and be like them, I can be the Christian God wants me to be. Rather than that, we should be sitting in a quiet room night after night, begging God to please tell us who He wants us to be.
ReplyDeleteI only write this because this is perhaps the thing I struggle with the most personally. And I know I am not alone. More milk please.
Whenever I hear someone state that a certain event or circumstance couldn't be from GOD, this is the set of verses I immediately consider. Righteous, according to the Greek, means "appointed by GOD for good." Additionally, we know that all things work together for good for those who are the called. All means ALL. Even tragedy. Especially those heart-wrenching things that we do not understand.
ReplyDeleteI realize that not everybody see this. In fact, I remember that for most of my life, I, too, did not see it. Quite simply, the message of the cross is a giant glass of warm, wonderful milk. The message of righteousness (all means all) is a giant porterhouse steak with a bone (for contention) right down the middle.
It is a struggle, Dave. I think it has to be on this side of Jesus' return because we let our 'flesh' (our vulnerability to sin) get in the way. But, I love your statement - "...we should be sitting in a quiet room night after night, begging God to please tell us who He wants us to be." The only thing I would add is that God's standard answer to the question seems to be 'look at my Son.'
ReplyDeleteThe author also reminds us that the responsibility of one's Christian growth is oneself! (especially when they have moved past the 'infant' stage of needing someone else to teach/feed them). In other words, he's saying, 'if you've been a Christian for a while, it is your responsibility to feed your faith! Pick up a fork/spoon and dig in...there is a feast available to you through the Christian gifts of worship, Bible, prayer, giving, service, etc. But they, like many of us, tend to shift responsibility/blame from ourselves to someone else, a teacher, pastor, leader, etc., and we cry 'I'm not getting fed!' But, the author of Hebrews has already prodded them to understand that we can't ultimately shift that kind of blame. So, he has pushed his readers (and us) to: pay attention (2:1), fix your thoughts on Jesus (3:1), be careful to not fall short (4:1), make every effort to enter God's rest (5:11), and approach the throne of grace (5:16).
ReplyDeleteFinally, blended in with these sometimes pointed and even harsh instructions is the amazing truth of who God is, who Jesus is and what He has done and is doing on our behalf: He speaks, sustains, rules, destroys the devil, frees us, makes atonement for our sins, serves as merciful high priest, judges, and calls us to come to His throne for mercy and grace.
"I'm not getting fed!"
ReplyDeleteThis line makes me bristle every time. There was a time in the distant past when priests were the only ones with access to The Word. At least then lay people had an excuse. Those days are gone.
Agreed! God provides a feast for us and we complain and criticize because we don't feel like getting off the couch and walking over to the banquet table to pick up a plate and fork!
ReplyDeleteI have a plastic fork as a bookmark in my bible from two or three years ago to remind me to " savor " every word I read in that book . I guess I should have a straw , too !
ReplyDeleteDoc, that's an awesome idea! I just may do something like that myself. Reminds of Eugene Peterson's Eat This Book.
ReplyDelete