Solid Food- Hebrews 5

Take time to read Hebrews chapter 5.

"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.  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."  Hebrews 5:11-14

Due to stubbornness or complacency, the Jewish Christians that are being written to in Hebrews are being told to grow in maturity.  They were not advancing in their knowledge.  They should have been teaching at this point, but were stuck in spiritual infancy by choice.

Is this passage speaking to you?

I'll admit, many times I'm comfortable right where I am.  I don't want to move from milk to solid food, or from chicken nuggets to steak.

There are three things I think we can learn from this passage:

1) Theology is not just for pastors.

I'm not saying that all of us need to go to seminary, but theological study is important to a maturing Christians (all of us should be maturing Christians).  Theology is not pointless study.  Theology, instead, is the most purposefully study in the world.  What could possibly matter more than what we know about the creator and ruler of the world?  Theological study can be found in a pew on Sunday, in a Bible study on Tuesday or in reading a book by A. W. Tozer on Friday.  Theology is for all of us because all of us were created to worship our God, and theological study is an awesome form of worship.

2) Growth in knowledge leads to growth in righteousness.

"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness."  If we are studying theology and Biblical truths correctly it will not lead to eggheadedness, it will lead to righteousness because our knowledge will enable us to live wisely.  Biblical knowledge without the pursuit of righteousness is nearly pointless.  I only say nearly because God Himself can use the knowledge to intervene in your life and make you want righteousness even if you didn't enter the pursuit of knowledge wanting that.

3) We grow in maturity by putting knowledge into practice.

This point is like the one before. Growth in knowledge does lead to growth in righteousness, but if you truly want to grow you need to be active in this process.  When study of God's omniscience floors you, put into practice trust based on this knowledge.  When study of God's kindness knocks you off your feet, put into practice being His kindness to the woman in need down the street.  When study of God's sovereignty expands your mind, put into practice submission to His will.

Don't get stuck on milk when our Heavenly Father wants to feed you solid food.  Theology is not just for your pastor.  Bible study is not just for the Sunday School teacher.  Knowledge of the Father is for all His children.  Pursue it.  Grow in righteousness and maturity today.