Growing in Christ

^"14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven,  Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. ¹⁵ For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need"  Hebrews 4:14-16.

The text from Hebrews 4 is the beginning of a section of scripture showing the superiority of Jesus over the high priests.  Note these important characteristics about Jesus which are given.

1.  Jesus, our great high priest has ascended into heaven.

2.  He is able to understand and help us in our weaknesses.

3.  He has been tempted in every way we are tempted, yet he did not sin.

4.  We can now approach God through Jesus, with confidence. 

While there may be some language in this part of the writing in Hebrews, which is difficult to understand, in the next chapter, Hebrews 5, is some encouragement for us to move on beyond the elementary teachings to some of the deeper meanings of Scripture.  One thing we should know about our walk with God is it is a continuing journey in which we develop and cultivate not only more knowledge about God and his ways, but we become more mature in our following and understanding of God personally.  All this leads us into a more intimate walk with Him. 

The Hebrew writer expresses it like this in Hebrews 5:11-14,  "¹¹ We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 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."

There is a need in the Body of Christ for our church leaders and teachers to direct us beyond the milk and into the solid food.  Milk is for the babies, while meat is for the more mature.  Note, Hebrews says, "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness."  It is important that we grow beyond our initial understanding and knowledge of God. That can happen when we come to actually experience the Lord to greater degrees. 

While I have surmised that we need leaders and teachers to direct us in this growth, we must also recognize our place in being one that will actually be "fed" with the deeper truths.  The Bible, in this place, says it is not a normal life that remains in spiritual infancy.  Just as we anticipate the growth and maturity of our children, even into adulthood, God intends for us to grow in our spirituality, too. 

Spend some time today in prayer and meditation concerning the areas where you need to grow.  Allow God's plan for your spiritual maturity to become reality.  Lives are blessed when they are constantly seeking Him.

<ronbwriting@yahoo.com>