A Call to Christian Maturity

By Pastor Chad

As a parent, one of my jobs is to raise my kids to be healthy, responsible adults. Though I would love if they stayed young forever, that isn’t the way things are supposed to be. In fact, if our children never did grow up, we know something would be wrong. We are all designed to grow and develop as we get older. 

In a similar way, as Christians, it would be unhealthy if we never matured. We are supposed to grow–that is God’s intention. I am struck by the bluntness of the author of Hebrews when he writes, “Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity…” (6:1). This isn’t a suggestion–the author is commanding that we mature in our faith. It isn’t that the basics are bad–they are foundational–but the basics are there so that one may build upon the structure of faith. Furthermore, the author isn’t saying to forget about these doctrines. He is saying that these doctrines are the foundational elements that establish your faith. Now that you have them, it is time to use them to grow in the Lord. 

He is just as pointed a few verses earlier when he states, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food…” (5:12). The author is clear: growing in spiritual maturity is not an option. In my opinion, I do not think a Christian can simply remain stagnant in his or her faith. One is either growing in the faith or withering–there is no real in-between. 

I get it, life gets in the way. You’ve got things to do. Bills to pay. Sites to see. Kids to raise. Yet, I must say: Nothing is more important than your walk with the Lord. That’s not to say having a job or raising kids is harmful to the faith. My point is that anything can become an idol. Anything can take God’s place in your life. To grow in maturity, one must orient his or her life so that one’s relationship with the Lord is the highest of priorities. In a very practical sense, that means setting a time aside every day to have a quiet time and pray. That means making church a primary focus in one’s life and in one’s family. Orienting one’s life toward God requires an intentional effort to place Him first. Why? Because growing in one’s walk with the Lord requires intentional, focused resolution. Such is the nature of the Christian faith. If God comes second, then He very easily could become last. The call to Christian maturity begins by placing God where He needs to be in our lives–first.