[443 words]
There are several passages in the New Testament that admonish Christians to mature. They need to mature in several facets of their spiritual lives. The one we look at today is the need for growth in their study and understanding of God’s word. There is no other way to mature in all aspects of our lives as a Christian until we know what God wants and expects.
“I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able” (1 Corinthians 3:2). “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” (Hebrews 5:12).
The two passages above show the writer’s frustration as a teacher. The teacher can’t move on to more complicated subjects because the audience hasn’t grown enough to receive it. As a minister, I can’t tell you how many times I’m asked a question that is really a fairly simple Bible question by a person who has been a Christian for decades. Or, I’ve been asked a complicated question that will take some research and time for both parties and the one asking wants a twenty-second neat and concise answer. They usually don’t want to put in any study time and don’t realize what they are asking is much more complicated than what they think.
What is the answer? Study, study, study, and more study. Going to classes with your brethren so that the wealth of knowledge of all our brethren can be shared with one another. Often those that are most lacking in this Bible wisdom will not come to services on a regular basis. Some will question why things are done a certain way or why certain doctrines are held or rejected. They are more “tolerant” of false doctrine, not because that is their goal, but because they don’t know better. More mature Christians will be labeled as hateful and intolerant for not sharing their views.
Christianity in the United States is in trouble. The overwhelming reason for this calamity is a simple lack of Bible education. It could be fixed so simply, but everyone is too busy with much less important things. Each generation gets less and less of a Bible education and you see the results in society and in our congregations. We must go back to being people of the Bible. We must start attending services regularly and bringing our children. Our nation, churches, and souls stand in the balance.
Chris Moore
Clarendon church of Christ
Clarendon, TX