Christianity like most things in this life is something you have to grow in. No one starts where they will end but we all have a starting place from which we will grow continuously thereafter. The more time we spend with God the more we come to know Him and His word. Over time our understanding increases more and more which affects our actions. Leading us to live differently than we once did and even do things we once didn’t do like volunteer or give freely. Sadly though there are many Christians who haven’t grown even though they have been taught for years. They simply aren’t where they should be with God.
This is something that the writer of Hebrews addressed with his audience. Stating that many of them should be teachers already based on how long they have been serving God. But that they still were needing to be taught the basics of the faith again. Something that we sadly still see in our churches today. There are many people who have been in church for years but still need to learn the basic principles of the faith. The very things they should have already learned and be able to share with others.
Hebrews 5:12 (ESV)
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,
Our faith should never become stagnant. Christians should not find themselves sitting year after year desiring to simply sit in the pew hearing the same rudimentary teaching again and again. Choosing to tune out to or worse not be able to understand the deeper messages our Pastors bring. Over time we should graduate from the basic teachings of the gospel to the deeper teaching found within our Bible. Those who have been in the church for years should be able to decern right from wrong. Knowing how to do what is good in the eyes of the Lord.
The writer of Hebrews makes the comparison to an infant who still requires milk and an adult able to eat meat. It could also be looked at in the sense of going through the school system. Every year children are expected to grow in knowledge, understanding, and ability. Just as we are expected to grow over time in our faith.
Hebrews 5:13–14 (ESV)
13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.
Children who do not grow in those areas are often held back because they didn’t learn what they needed to in order to advance. Meaning they are not where they are supposed to be. Sadly this is also seen in the church as many believers have not advanced in their faith and are not able to move forward on their walk with God. Too many Christians are simply not where they should be with God and even worse they are not just behind a year. As many have never moved on from the basic teachings offered at conversion. Even after spending years in the church.
It is important that you really ask yourself if you are where you should be with God. Do all the years you have spent in the church show in the knowledge you have of God and His Word? Are you able to understand the deeper things of scripture or do you still need to be taught the basics? Are you able to teach others the word of God from the knowledge you have gained? If not then make the change today and move on from the elementary doctrine of Christ to maturity as the writer of Hebrews instructs.
Hebrews 6:1–3 (ESV)
6 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do if God permits.
Understanding and the ability to teach the things of God are not reserved for certain individuals within the body. We may not all be called to be a teacher. But that doesn’t mean we can’t teach others about God simply based on what we have been taught. Not every Christian is going to be a great theologian. However, after spending years in church we should all have a deep understanding of the God we serve. As well as be able to explain the doctrine that we hold to. The longer we serve God the more we should know and the more we should be willing and able to do.
Scripture teaches that to whom much is given much is expected. That applies in this area as much as it does any other. As we spend more time hearing the word preached, reading scripture, praying to God, and just serving the Lord more is expected from us. More is expected of the person who has been a Christian ten years than of the person who only came to know the Lord ten days ago.
Luke 12:47–48 (ESV)
47 And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. 48 But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.
God has different expectations for each of us based on what we have been given. We should do our best to meet His expectations. Is the time you have spent as a Christian reflected in how you live? Do you believe you are living up to God’s expectations based on all you have been given? The reward will be the same no matter the time spent serving God. But more work will be expected to be done by those who have been serving longer.
Matthew 20:9–15 (ESV)
9 And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. 10 Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, 12 saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.’ 13 But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. 15 Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’
A bad mindset has become prevalent in a church culture that says some people are not meant to serve or know a lot about scripture. Causing many to believe that they are fine to come and sit every week at church halfway paying attention to the message. But that is in no way what scripture teaches. On the contrary, those who follow God are expected to grow in knowledge and that knowledge should affect their actions. James wrote to all believers when he said be doers of the word and not hears only. Jesus called all those who follow Him to make disciples. The Bible clearly tells us that every Christians have been given a gift that is needed in the body. Nobody is ever meant to just take a spot on the bench and watch.
James 1:22 (ESV)
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Matthew 28:19–20 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Romans 12:6–8 (ESV)
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
1 Peter 4:10–11 (ESV)
10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Your journey may start by simply listening to the message but then it must grow. Possibly into the personal study. Which easily leads to sharing the gospel and inviting friends to church. Soon you find the place or service God has prepared for you in the body. But that doesn’t mean you are done moving forward as over time in faith your roles may change or expand. Leading you to new places that you should be with God. But you will never see them if you are still sitting at your starting point needing to hear the basics again. You must make the decision not to simply find the path to salvation but to follow God where he is leading you down it. For your better and that of all those, you encounter along the way.
Up to this point, this article has been pointed to those who have been in the church for some time. But it’s important to mention that this works both ways. If you are new to the faith don’t try to rush to get ahead or try to live beyond your years. It’s good to have a drive to grow in the Lord and a desire to learn more. But it can also be dangerous and cause you to burn out. So try to live where God has you and spend time studying, praying, worshiping, and in church.
Move through the natural progression of things that may seem slow but will adequately prepare you for God’s work. This doesn’t mean you can’t teach or share what you know though. Paul shared the Good News right after His conversation. He simply shared what he knew but over time grew to know and teach even more. He is an example of someone who was always where he should be with God growing daily in the Lord and constantly moving forward. While not going further than he should.
Acts 9:18–23 (ESV)
18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. 20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
Simply based on the time you have spent as a Christian and all the teaching you have received over the years there is a place you should be with God. Those who are well aged in the church shouldn’t be living as babes. While those who are young in the church shouldn’t be living as though they are fully grown. Those who live like that will never do all God would have them to do. So take account of your life and find out where you should be. Do all you can to best live in that place and honor God in it. But remember where you should be is going to change as you keep walking in faith and you should be changing with it all the time.
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