Articles
MATURING IN THE LORD
I enjoy doing the occasional woodworking project. It keeps my hands busy and allows extra
time for thinking on life. To help improve my abilities in woodworking I subscribed to a wood
magazine. I was excited to get my first issue and began the process of becoming a master
craftsman! As I perused through that first issue, I quickly realized that I had bitten off more than
I could chew. There were tools and terms totally strange to me. I have since subscribed to a
different magazine more on my level.
Sadly, there are many Christians today who suffer through the same problem in their walk
with Christ. The initial desire is to know the Lord to the greatest extent, but find in their daily
reading of His Word a world far beyond comprehension. Terms can be hard to understand and a
culture far removed from our current lifestyle. The more we turn the pages, the more lost we
become, until giving up altogether.
The Hebrews writer addresses this very problem in the early church. The writer chastises
Christians for their lack of maturity in Christ. Though they ought to be teachers by now, they are
needing others to teach the elementary principles of the oracles of God. They were needing the
milk of the word, not solid food (Heb. 5:12-14). But the Christians were encouraged to leave
behind the elementary teachings and press on to maturity (6:1-2).
What the writer is addressing is the problem of apathy in the church then, and today. Have
we become comfortable where we are in our lives with Christ? Are we satisfied (status quo) in
our relationship with the Lord? Have we ceased striving to know more about the Lord? Have we
become comfortable with the same well known stories, instead of delving into the greater
“mysteries” of the Word? The Hebrew writer continues his challenge by describing the immature
[apathetic] Christian as ground that either brings forth useful vegetation or ground yielding
thorns and thistles with its unfortunate end to be burned (Heb. 6:4-8).
Where are you in your walk with the Lord? Yes, there are passages which are difficult to
understand, but if we will apply ourselves to knowing God, He will bless us with a greater
understanding, leading us to a full life for Him and the promise of eternal life! I hope and pray
that you are maturing in the Lord in all ways: church attendance, a greater knowledge of His
Word, serving the Lord (as you serve others), and reaching out to the lost. ~P. Mowrer
