Brooke Greenberg likes to giggle and crawl around just like any other toddler. She’s 76 cm (30 inches) tall and weighs about 7 kg (16 pounds), but Brooke was born in 1993. At 18 years old, she’s still trapped in the body of a 1-year-old due to a rare condition called Syndrome X. A doctor observed, “Her cellular age does not match her actual age.”
When the author of Hebrews penned his epistle, he addressed the spiritual immaturity of his audience. His concern was that they were acting like spiritual babies who needed basic instruction instead of more advanced teaching (5:13). The writer wanted to give them real spiritual meat, but they hadn’t developed beyond the intake of spiritual milk. Though they’d been believers long enough to be teaching others (Hebrews 5:12), they hadn’t been growing in their knowledge of the Word of God. This stifling inertia had left them “spiritually dull” (Hebrews 5:11). They lacked maturity to discern the basic difference between right and wrong (Hebrews 5:14). In fact, they were clueless about doing the right things (Hebrews 5:13).
So the author challenged them to move on to maturity and the deeper truths of the faith (Hebrews 6:1-3). But just prior to his appeal, he gave them the secret to maturity: Spiritual maturity comes from the constant application of God’s Word into the situations of life (Hebrews 5:14). It’s not something that just develops automatically over time.
Recently, I was reminded that God is more concerned about the way we do the tasks He’s entrusted to us than in our ability to simply get them done. This is because He wants us to become like Jesus. But many of us are more concerned about accomplishing our to-do list than in Christ being formed in us.
Let’s seek to become mature in Jesus as we passionately feed on His Word and live out its wisdom. —Poh Fang Chia
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 6:1-38
More:
Read Luke 8:12-14 to see the things that can stifle our maturation in Christ.
Next:
What situations are you facing at work, at home, or in church that require biblical wisdom? What principles found in God’s Word will you apply to those situations?
eppistle on April 15, 2011 at 6:21 am
This is a convicting message – it’s so easy to grow complacent in our Christianity and lose our wonder for the wonderful. “Spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen “(Hebrews 5:11) literally means “lazy to listen.” This is a symptom of complacent Christianity. “Been there – done that” – in our pride, we think we have arrived – and we lose sensitivity to the HolySpirit’s voice as we read a passage we’ve read time and time again, or we hang out with Christians we’ve known for awhile, or listen to a Christian teacher who we take for granted. We think we’ve wasted our time because we didn’t learn anything new, when God’s more concerned that we listen anew. Oh, how much we must grieve and frustrate the Holy Spirit when we ignore Him! Let’s repent from our lazy listening and pray for alert, teachable ears. “He who has ears, let him hear (Matthew 11:15).
winn collier on April 15, 2011 at 7:54 am
I like this connection of “Christ being formed in us” to God’s Word pouring into the immediate spaces of our life. Thank you.
GChoo on April 15, 2011 at 12:29 pm
Poh Fang, thank you for today’s message. It definitely rings a bell.
You reminded me of our serving in God’s ministry. I believe, in my immatured stage as a christian(nothing to do with age), I was more concerned of the end result than the process of what God wanted to form in me. Sometimes, the effort we put in may not be what others are willing to put into. It resulted in conflicts amongst those of us in the group. Even, to the extent of discomfort in each other’s company. The lost of loving relationship God truly wants us to display. When i looked back, i realised my lack of God’s knowledge and wisdom and most of all love which leads to compassion and understanding. Yes, it is so important to keep close to God’s Word and be obedient so we are always walking in His Spirit. And, we are able to display the gifts of the Spirit. May God continue to change me and all who asks in His Name. Amen
daisymarygoldr on April 15, 2011 at 1:22 pm
Brooke’s Syndrome X is a sad case and she is not responsible for her condition. Sadder still is spiritual immaturity when—the entire church body is trapped into remaining forever young. If Christians who are supposed to be teachers act like toddlers, then we are the ones responsible for our abnormality (Ephesians 4: 11-12).
In my childishness I tend to be selfish, want to be pampered, demand attention, pout and bicker, fuss over my rights, pick up fights, blame brothers and sisters, refuse to forgive, doubt and question God, lack discernment and get easily confused to be deceived by every wind of doctrine. Spiritual babies are not contended with our own gifts but are jealous of the gifts which others have.
As long as these symptoms characterize our growth, we cannot move beyond elementary teachings. Hence, we need to be constantly reminded to be kind, love one another, forgive, share, and not fight. If we remain stuck in these basics, when will we ever get to learn all the deep things like those mentioned in Ezek 40-48?
A spiritually retarded mind cannot search God’s deep secrets. No wonder a whole generation is slipping by—wondering what we will be doing to spend all of eternity in Heaven. Children are not better off than slaves and need to be told what to do. But grown sons and daughters enjoy a relationship with their Father—at a whole different level.
I agree it does not develop automatically. As Christ is being formed in me, I begin to behave and act like Him—to produce the fruit of the Spirit. The mark of maturity is to suffer injustice, to be wronged rather than wrong another, to be humble and consider the other better than myself, to let it go, seek unity in our diversity and to love all of God’s children.
It is my prayer that I will mature in the Lord, measuring up to the wisdom and complete standard of Jesus Christ. Thanks Poh and all for prodding me to grow up!
kaj1589 on April 15, 2011 at 11:24 pm
Thank you so much for this insight!
poh fang chia on April 17, 2011 at 9:43 pm
Once again, I’m deeply blessed by the thoughts and insights that you’ve contributed. Thank you. May all of us press on to becoming more and more like Christ in our thoughts and deeds.
🙂