Do anything health related and they’ll want to know your age. At my last eye exam, the doctor asked me if there were any changes that I was noticing in my vision. When I noted a couple of minor issues he remarked, “...well, that’s normal for your age.”
Whether discussing trees, pets, paint or people, there are certain characteristics associated with physical age. Are there ”normal” qualities that are equally associated with spiritual aging?
(Heb 5:12-14) "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. {14} But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."
1. Christians should progress in knowledge so they become capable of teaching others.
2. Because the group receiving the Hebrew letter needed to be taught the basics again they were considered spiritually immature.
3. Those who are “unskilled in the word of righteousness” are still babies. If the first principles of the gospel are still a challenge, then that person is not mature.
4. Babies need milk but mature Christians are able to handle “solid food.” We know that solid food physically implies the ability to chew whereas babies get milk or mush.
5. Those who are mature Christians should be able to evaluate good and evil for themselves.
As we develop our theme of STAND this year some obvious applications would come from this text in Hebrews. One cannot STAND who is unprepared to deal with basic doctrines and cannot determine right and wrong for themselves. One who cannot STAND is not mature in Christ. It seems to me an obvious question to ask is: Are we of age?
- Tim Orbison
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