Maturity

The Bible talks a lot about the importance of God's people being mature.  This was the subject of the apostle Paul's comments in Hebrews 5 & 6.  The following are excerpts from that:

"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."

The teaching here is clear: We need to first get the learning of the basics, then move on to matters of Righteousness.  That is where the real meat of the Word lies.  Continuing:

"Therefore 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, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment."

In this latter passage, Paul gives some examples of what he would consider elementary.  But the only detailed matter of maturity given here is "righteousness."  He is looking for us to be righteous people.  But note that we first should give some consideration, show some understanding of the basics, the basic beliefs of Christianity.  Having that, we are to move on to a higher calling, a calling to seek perfection, holiness, as God is Holy.  I am certainly not saying that we can be perfect, that we can reach the level of holiness that our Lord has; but this is to be our goal.

Let us all think about maturity.....and the need to seek that.  May God bless you this week!