We are familiar with growth problems. While quick and unusual development might be advantageous in some pursuits when we are young (like a physical development that provides an athletic advantage), no adult would wish for his (her) childs development to continue unrestricted after the child reaches and continues in adult existence. Were this the situation, that which was as advantage quickly becomes an unhealthy situation with far-reaching consequences.
The reverse is also true. If an infant or young child fails to advance in the range of normal development, the parents quickly become concerned. If there is a learning inability in school, the parents become deeply concerned. If at any young adult age the person has a distinct lack of any essential set of living/managing skills, honest parents who recognize the situation are concerned and likely frustrated.
Most of us desire children who develop within normal ranges during all ages. Adults value accepted physical and mental development of those they love and care about. Most of us do not wish our children to struggle with the challenges of being different.
Christians are a part of Gods family! Because they place and demonstrate their confidence in Jesus Christ, they are provided the opportunity and right to be Gods children who can cry Abba Father (Daddy) to God Himself. God wants in His childrens spiritual development. The absence of that growth and development produces horrible spiritual consequences!
In todays text, the writer of Hebrews wished to use Melchizedek to illustrate additional points about spiritual development. Yet, though the illustrations existed and were understood by the writer, he could not use them. Why? Were the illustrations incorrect? No! Did the writer lack the necessary writing skills to use the illustrations? No! The problem: The original recipients of the writing lacked the ability to understand the illustrations. His illustrations would require an explanation because they were dull of hearing.
The writer explained the situation this way: The recipients had failed to develop spiritually as they should have. They had been Christians long enough to be teachers, but they have spiritually regressed to the point that they needed to be taught the basics of Christianity again. They were spiritual infants who needed spiritual milk and were incapable of eating solid spiritual food that should nourish the spiritually mature. They were spiritual babies, not spiritual adults.
The objective of transformation from a sinful life to a righteous life involves pressing on to spiritual maturity. It involves growing beyond laying the spiritual foundation again. What did the writer regard to be spiritual foundation matters? (1) Understanding the basic things about the role that exists between God and Jesus Christ. (2) Repentance. (3) Expressing faith in God. (4) Instructions concerning washings (spiritual purity). (5) The laying on of hands. (6) The resurrection of the dead. (7) The eternal judgment.
This is striking: The subjects the writer of Hebrews considered evidence of spiritual immaturity would be regarded by many Christians of today as evidence of great spiritual maturity. Consider a question: If those were the subjects of spiritual infancy, what would be the subjects of spiritual maturity? For example, from what the writer said in the book of Hebrews, the order of spiritual roles would be God, Jesus Christ, and those who belonged to God through Jesus Christ. Compare the writers order to the statements of Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:21-23, 11:3, and 15:24-28. Do we use concepts of the trinity to evade the differing roles of God and Jesus Christ? Example two: Do you realize there are spiritual considerations that go beyond faith, repentance, and baptism? Do you understand there are spiritual matters that go beyond transformation, justice, sanctification, propitiation, and redemption? Example three: Is our concept of faithfulness tied to forcing people to confine themselves to the basics?
The writer did not say the basics were unimportant. He said the basics were subjects of the immature. The objective of the spiritually immature is to grow beyond the basics. The writer said that was the goal of the spiritual. . . This we shall do, if God permits. Or, when opportunity presents itself, we readily will respond to it!
Then the writer talked of the horror of falling away from Jesus Christ. To experience the blessings of God in Jesus Christ, and then to revert to the old life is to be guilty of crucifying and putting to shame Gods son! It would be like the burning of a field to rid the field of unwanted vegetation (a common practice of farmers then and of primitive agriculture even today).
Note: the problem was NOT Gods willingness to forgive, but these peoples inability to repent (verse 6). They had no desire to return to God, no desire to pursue righteousness. They had neither appreciation nor respect for Jesus Christ.
The issue: If you plan to use your life to encourage faith and dependence on Jesus Christ, do you continue to grow spiritually? Can you understand and discuss spiritual matters that go beyond the foundation, beyond the basics? That absolutely is a matter of leading!
For Thought and Discussion
1. Illustrate when and how quick and unusual physical development might be desired.
2. Illustrate how continued development might be undesirable in the physical life of an adult.
3. Discuss the Christians relationship with God.
4. How did the writer of Hebrews use Melchizedek to illustrate the consequences of failure in spiritually development?
5. What was the problem in the original recipients of the writing called Hebrews?
6. How did the writer of Hebrews explain the situation?
7. What 7 things did the writer list as foundation matters?
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
8. When we consider the 7 things the writer listed, what is striking?
9. Discuss the horror of deciding to leave Jesus Christ.
10. The problem was NOT what, but was what?
11. For us (todays Christian), what is the issue?
Link to Teacher's Guide
Lesson 12