IMMATURITY TO MATURITY
Monday – October 16, 2017
Monday again and time to pick up with this wonderful Bible Study from the Book of Hebrews. We have spent quite some time talking about Jesus our High Priest and how this was foreshadowed in many ways in the Old Testament. Late in the fifth chapter we see the writer lamenting that the Church is not moving into maturity but lingering as babes. They still require milk, and refuse to step forward to the use of strong meat. The One who is really lamenting this failure to mature is our Lord and Master Christ Jesus. As a teacher I understand how the writer may very well share in the Lords’ frustration. Information is presented that is to become knowledge, leading to increased understanding and finally a moving in the wisdom of God but instead they continue to flounder as little babes seemingly unaware that they are the primary cause of the floundering. Unfortunately, people have never been taught the very high value of the Word of God and made every effort to devour it and assimilate that knowledge into every area of life.
The anointed Words of God are the building blocks of faith and faith is the victory that overcomes the world. Do we have any interest in being overcomers and sitting with Jesus on His Throne? Until we are routinely using strong meat we are unable to discern both good and evil and the devil cuffs us around like a nerf ball. The milk is the very foundation of our faith which we reviewed to some degree last week and as we move into chapter six we will look at more foundational (milk) material that must be mastered before strong meat can be digested. Understanding and walking in the principles of the doctrine of Christ (milk) is critical for immature Christians to be able to move on to strong meat. People who are not moving forward are more likely to fall away, walk away from their salvation. It is easier to become discouraged when one only sees the Word of God seemingly working for others. As we move forward we will see it in our personal lives and ministry (personal not 5-Fold). Unfortunately, many whole Church are on milk so there is no strong meat, and no role models. Now, let us look at our primary text.
Hebrews 6:1-3 (KJV)
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
2 Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
3 And this will we do, if God permit.
As we enter chapter six we are being prompted to move forward from the simple and basic things that were necessary for our salvation and the building of a firm foundation, but will not sustain us or be sufficient for the road ahead. Just think about seeing a wonderful foundation but nothing built upon it. Apparently, the teachers of the Church especially to the Hebrews (Jewish converts to Christianity) were having to continually review the teachings concerning Christ. They were continually pointing out that traditions and ceremonies apart from Christ are dead works and not productive for the Kingdom of God. Next, we see four areas to which needed repeating and the peoples understanding continued to be deficient preventing forward progress. Let me once again stress that immaturity is a conscious choice and is sin. In our text God points out that there are four areas that preventing maturity. These are the doctrine of baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. I will discuss each of these more or less briefly.
First let’s deal with the doctrine of baptisms. The Church generally recognizes the baptism in water and the baptism in the Holy Spirit. Even concerning these two there is much controversy. Concerning water baptism there are controversies over issues like who can be baptized and when can they be baptized and with how much water are they to be baptized. There are large denominations that do not believe in a second or separate experience following salvation called among those who do and Scripture as the baptism of the Holy Ghost.
I would submit that there is another baptism of which we should talk and promote very strongly and that is the baptism into the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. No, I am not talking about water baptism but a full immersion into the Kingdom of God. I have used natural examples to illustrate Spiritual Truths many times based on the following Scripture.
Romans 1:20 (AMP)
20 For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification],
This Scripture has been exceedingly useful to me over the years when I realized that the better observer I am of how the natural world works the better I would understand the Spiritual world. Remember that earth and the things in the earth are a mirror image of Heaven and the things in Heaven. Of course, remember that the earth is cursed and the world is going to Hell in a handbasket so we have to untwist some things but in general we can learn and mature much by being mindful of ourselves and those around us and that intersection with Scripture.
Until our next publication, I speak blessing into your life right now, receive it in the name of Jesus, confess it, and walk it out with thanksgiving.
Numbers 6:24-26 (KJV)
24 The LORD bless thee, and keep thee:
25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
26 The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
CONTACT E-MAIL: pastordavidwood@gmail.com
BLOG: https://awakeariseandtriumphministries.org
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