What does it mean to grow spiritually? Yesterday we ended our discussion with the author of Hebrews instructing us about being weaned from the milk of the Word to the real meat of the Word. Part of that process is getting into the Word daily and discovering what it says to you personally. It is my prayer that those who read this blog will be encouraged to do that and read the entire chapter to draw their own conclusions about the Word and not be satisfied with just the verses I use and the elaboration I provide. This is what it means to get into the meat of the Word, but how do we know if we have progressed in our walk far enough to be ready?
The beginning of Hebrews 6 provides a guide to that, as the author mentions what he thinks are the basics, or "milk" of the Word. When we have passed these basics we are ready to move on to something deeper and more meaningful.
"1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death,
and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment." – Hebrews 6:1-2
To me that sounds like a course in Christianity 101 as it references the foundation of our entire faith in Christ. Once we have laid this foundation we are called to build on it through service to the one that saved us. This is where spiritual discipline comes in from my previous writings, and in that our own walks take divergent paths. Think of each person's walk with Christ like it is a natural birth. We are built the same basic way with the same basic foundation, but once we reach a certain point in our development we begin to take on characteristics that differentiate us from everyone else. In the same vein each person's walk and calling are different, but they are based on the same foundation. We learn what our calling is by getting into the word and practicing these spiritual disciplines. It is amazing then when you think about it because God tailors each person's walk individually in that way. My experience with the Word is different from everyone else's, but it is based on the same principles of faith, repentance, and forgiveness.
We also must get into the meat of the Word and nourish ourselves so that we don't fall away. What happens to an animal that is never weaned off of milk? It eventually begins to not get the nourishment it needs and will wither and die. This can happen to us spiritually and cause us to fall away if we don't actively pursue God and dedicate time to Him each day. He wants us to walk with Him and learn from Him each day because it is essential to our souls.
"7Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned." – Hebrews 6:7-8
The Word, prayer, and worship are all the rain that nourishes the crop of our soul. Without them we cannot hope to survive on our own. I challenge you to study the Word daily for two weeks, and then try and go a week without it. I guarantee you will feel as if something is absent from your life and that you will feel choked off from growing. Remember this in his promise in the following:
"10God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. 11We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. 12We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised." Hebrews 6:10-12
This is what God wants for us! He wants us to grow and work in Him so that we can become something more. He wants us to become what we were born to become, and the only way to find out what that mission is comes from walking and growing in Him. The chapter ends with His blessing and promise to Abraham in this regard, and as believers we inherit this blessing and promise as well. If we grow in Him we will receive His promise.
TODAY'S QUESTIONS:
- What is the nature of God's promise to Abraham and how does it apply to you?
- What do you need to do in order to add some meat to your spiritual nourishment?
- How can we fall away if we do not grow?
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