![]() Mature Christians are those whose lives are marked by such stability that they are not easily led astray by teachings and practices that are contrary to the Word of God. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ. To mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. It means to become increasingly like Christ in our thinking, moral character, and devotion to God.Įphesians 4:13–15 describes spiritual maturity as being built up To "go on to maturity," then, involves growing into a complete, fully developed disciple of Christ. The word translated "maturity" in Hebrews 6:1 belongs to a family of words that are translated elsewhere as "complete" or "perfect." It carries the idea of wholeness or full development. Like the Hebrews, every Christian, regardless of age, experience, or circumstance, bears this responsibility to grow spiritually. The letter's recipients, however, are not merely blamed for their spiritually immature condition-they are challenged to leave it behind and to "go on to maturity" (6:1) by building on the foundation that has long been laid in their lives through repentance and faith. The Hebrews have developed a reluctance to listen to the Word of God. The main reason he finds it difficult to explain the implications of Christ's high priesthood (about which he has been writing in 4:14–5:10) is due not to the subject matter but rather to their own "dullness of hearing." The word translated "dullness" means lazy or negligent, and it indicates that the condition is self-inflicted. However, the author of Hebrews does not let his readers off the hook because of their spiritual immaturity rather, he points out their culpability and exhorts them to grow. 5:11–12)īecause the Hebrews have not grown as they should have, they are not in a position to receive further instruction that would otherwise benefit them. 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. Similarly, you can hear the frustration of unfulfilled expectations in the words of the author of Hebrews as he gently rebukes his readers for their ongoing spiritual immaturity:Ībout this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. He commands us to desire that which will enable our spiritual growth ("milk of the word" NASB) so that by it we mature into the salvation that is ours in Christ. ![]() Peter writes, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation" (1 Peter 2:2). ![]() ![]() Scripture encourages such desires and expectations for believers. When they fail to develop and mature, it is abnormal and therefore cause for concern. Whether that involves going to school or getting a driver's license, the privileges and opportunities that attend maturity lead children to aspire to growth.Īdults expect children to grow as well. ![]() They look forward to being big and experiencing life from the perspective of someone who has advanced beyond childhood. One thing most children have in common is a desire to grow up. ![]()
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