Go On To Perfection

"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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 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. Hebrews 5:12-14 NKJV

Here the author of Hebrews is saying what was happening in the churches [people] that they remained immature by refusing to grow to maturity. If that happens in the early churches, it should still be happening in this age as well. It's a sobering and serious warning! How delightful and joyful to have a new born baby! But it would tragic and terrible if that babe stopped growing. The mark of spiritual immaturity is still in need milk not solid food. Milk indicates in scriptures the elementary teachings which are listed out in the following chapter.

"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection, of the dead, and of eternal judgment." (Hebrews 6:1-2 NKJV)

Beyond those elementary teachings, there are much more to learn in the truth and revelation of God, because He is the immortal, eternal, and true God. "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17 NKJV) There are whole sweep of truth awaiting for the mature to learn and grasp. That's solid food and hard meat. It indicates in scriptures the sound doctrines and teachings. For example, "Love your enemies," "Rejoice in the sufferings," and "Love one another." One of the questions you might ask yourself is like this, "Am I able to explain how we get the righteousness of God and why we need it?"

The marks of mature Christians are easy to live with, kind and courteous to others, compassionate, cheerful, willing, rejoicing, humble, giving, forgiving the unforgivable, loving the unlovable, and most of all, obeying the Lord Jesus Christ by faith. And they continue to grow to Christ-likeness or godliness.