Anybody hungry yet...?

...Let's look at Heb. 5:10-12. "Being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food." Hunger prompts us to eat. Although we may not understand all the natural digestive processes, and are not conscious of them, the food still benefits us. We grow because we eat and exercise. We do this naturally, without any formula, special schooling, and striving.

That is also the way it is spiritually. If we have a good appetite we will eat freely of the bread of life; if we exercise by obeying God's directives, we will grow spiritually. We cannot grow by our own efforts. Jesus said that it is impossible for a man to add a cubit (about 18 inches) to his stature. No amount of trying will do it. This is true in the spiritual realm as well. However, those who are on milk are dependent on the breast. They cannot feed themselves because they are dependent on someone else. There is an immaturity, an inability to digest regular food when being fed on the breast. Those who are spiritually immature will depend upon the law to guide them in their do's and don'ts; they are not led by the Holy Spirit.

In verse 14 it says, "But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil." The mentality of many Christians is often only concerned with discerning evil things - like finding demons, reasons for sickness, etc. How about discerning spiritual strengths and needs? For example, discerning where someone is in Christ, and in which areas he needs to be built up? Let's not dwell on the evil; the devil's food is flesh! It's important to be able to discern the good and evil which is contained in the fruit of the tree of knowledge. Only in disobedience could they eat of that tree. This good and evil is religiosity; we are not to be preoccupied with this. Let's partake of the tree of life, and walk in the newness of this life!...