“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 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).
The author of Hebrews tells the readers that he has much to say but is running into some frustrations and roadblocks.
“We have much to say about this…”
What is “this”? What is the author talking about? He’s talking about the kingdom of God. The writer of Hebrews is saying, “We have much to say about the kingdom of God, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand.”
You see, learning and discovering the truths regarding the kingdom of God doesn’t just happen. It takes effort. It takes intentionality. In order to study about the kingdom of God, you have to study. That takes time. That takes effort. That takes intentionality.
The key to understanding this passage is the phrase, “By this time.”
You see, the writer of Hebrews is writing to folks who have been at this church thing for a while. And the writer of Hebrews is saying, “By now, you ought to be teachers regarding the kingdom of God!”
Here lies the heart of the problem. “By this time you ought to be teachers, but instead you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.”
It’s like this. God wants the church to learn about the Algebra and the Calculus of God’s kingdom, God wants to explain about the incredible truths of God’s kingdom principles. But instead every year, we’re stuck at 1, 2, 3’s, and A, B, C’s. We can’t even string a few letters together to write words, let alone sentences and complex ideas.
Instead of moving on to the depths of the kingdom of God, we’re stuck at, “If you don’t read God’s word every day, you won’t grow.” “If you don’t set aside time to pray every day, you won’t hear God’s guidance and direction.” “If you don’t serve and make a difference, your faith muscles will atrophy.”
We’re stuck at the absolute basics of the Christian faith.
BY THIS TIME!!! How long have you been doing this Christianity thing?
BY THIS TIME!!! How many more years are we going to be stuck learning the A, B, C’s and 1, 2, 3’s of Christian faith?
When will we grow up?
Growing up and maturing in the faith doesn’t just happen. It takes effort. It takes intentionality.
You’re off to a good start with these daily readings. Keep at it. Before you end, spend some quiet time with God. Let him know what you’re up to. Let him know how you want to see him at work in your life. Let him know you want to know how God wants you to live today.
Praxis: Faith in Action 