Several memories of our elementary days make us smile every time we talk about it with friends. Many may have experienced loses, others recognition… but at the end of all stories, we boil down to compliment our foundation to our elementary schooling – from where we learned the basics of ABC’s and 123’s. For whatever defines of who we have become now, it all would trace back the foundation we have set before.
This thing is so true to spiritual life. No one could ever go further and let God move into his life if the foundation of faith is set weak.
The book of Hebrews, from where this discussion is based, is a letter written to the Jewish Christians who after being converted to true faith came to a point of reverting back to old beliefs because of the false teachers and prophets destructing their concrete belief to God and made them confused. Same scenario is apparent to Christians today who still let in the bond of traditions and old beliefs to crimp in their lives. And all this because, the basic they need to be equipped with is weak and easily destructed by small things.
Chapter 5: 1 of Hebrews spoke of believers who are slow to learn. This reflects those types who are apathetic and reluctant of learning and are contented to be just always fed and not be used. If anyone falls to this category, then even the best teacher cannot make him learn things out. This paints a picture of Christians who spends more time in prioritizing their personal concerns instead putting God’s teachings first. Most of these kinds of believers are tangled in the myths of spiritual growth: (1) myth of knowledge, who believes that since they know the word, they are already matured. But then again, growth in spirit doesn’t concern knowledge alone; (2) myth of association, who suppose that when you are with the spiritually matured people, you already are one of them where in fact, growth is never a package deal but individual decision; (3) myth of time, who reasons that the length of stay in being a Christian would assure maturity. But it is a wrong perspective because growth is a heart-issue and not a time-issue. All believers who are among these myths are then the Consumer Christians, who are satisfied to feed themselves and not be used to give in return.
Growth or maturity in spiritual life happens through willingness, with intention and purpose, incessantly to either new or long-staying Christians, to be acquainted with the Word and teachings of righteousness. Otherwise, this will lead to confusions, fears, worries and doubts.
Remember again, maturity is when a believer already learned to distinguish between good and evil. Like what Hebrews 6: 1A pronounces, “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” Meaning, learning the elementary all over again is so not to stay in it but leave it and go on and grow up.
Look unto Jesus and set your foundation through him. For no one can lay any foundation other than one already laid, which is Jesus Christ (1Cor 3: 11).
