Solid Food

In our men’s group that we have begun, we are currently looking at the temptations that are present for men.  We are watching a video series from the 1990’s, and while the temptations for me was great the, look at the explosions of temptations that has come about since then.

Sometimes as we move through life, we find ourselves landing in “rut”.  Where we just go through the motions of life.  But scripture tells us that there are some habits that help us continue to grow and allows us to overcome the ruts of life.

The author of Hebrews is speaking about Jesus as the fulfillment of the promise of God.  The author takes us back to the story of Melchizedeck.  But the author then notes that the listener is not willing to learn.  It can be described as sluggish or dulled ears.  He notes that the listeners are in a rut.  They keep having to learn the same thing over and over.  But are refusing to grow and move forward and grow.

He notes the the listeners are still needing milk instead of solid food.  Like a small child still at the beginning of growth.  Can you imagine if a parent is still giving milk to a child even after they should be given solid food?  We would say that would be neglect.  In the same way, we are neglecting our own growth if we do not move onto spiritual solid food.

Hebrew 5:14

We want to know right from wrong, good from evil.  But the author says that we can only fully understand that if we mature spiritually.  Moving on to “solid food”.  But we must intentionally train ourselves and have habits that allow us to grow.

There are a few principles that we can pull from this passage.

1. Sluggish ears will lead to sluggish habits that support sluggish ears. ()
2. As you receive with active ears, you will be come teachers.  An idea of multiplication.  We are influencing people, either good or bad.  Will we be influencing others in a beneficial way?
3. Elementary principles (milk) is not bad in itself.  But we must move beyond to solid food or more impact principles.
4. We must grow, and only through growth can we discern.  We will be able to take the choices before us we will be able to see subtle nuances to make right decisions.  It doesn’t mean that we know everything, but we are able to see God’s direction in our life choices.

Paul says that we define ourselves as Christ living in us.  Feeding us and allowing us to grow.  Growth is not something you will yourself, but it comes from accepting God’s offering through Jesus.  And we are not saying that by some habit or growth in itself is salvation.  But it is an expression of his love and grace that saved you through Jesus’ death and resurrection.  Because if there was any other way, such as action or habit, that could provide for salvation, then Jesus died for nothing!

We must evaluate where we are.  Are you in a rut?  Is the enemy just telling you to do more instead of getting closer to God?  Our prayer is that we can continue to grow and allow our expression to be subject to our closeness with God.

To live is Christ, to die is gain.