HEBREWS 5:13-14: “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. 14 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.”

OBSERVATION: How can we tell whether we are growing in Christ? In his first epistle Peter calls us to sincerely desire the milk of the Word as newborn babes so that we can grow spiritually. However, here the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to move past the milk of the word unto maturity – unto solid food.

A new born baby can only handle milk for a period of time. Their development does not allow them to move immediately to solid food. Their early days of development are focused around eating and sleeping. Their activities are based solely around their immediate needs. A newborn believer is much the same way. Their new discovery of faith is based on what they need to grow. Their focus on God’s Word is centered around the promises and blessings that apply to their own individual lives. They are developing in their faith and dependent on the milk of the Word. Yet, like a newborn baby, the newborn Christian must also grow if they are to continue a healthy and full spiritual development in the Lord. The meat of the Word is needed.

How do we know when we have begun progressing beyond the “milk” of the Word and into the “meat” of the Word? It is when we begin to focus more on God’s Kingdom and the needs of others rather than our own immediate needs. The writer of Hebrews says that one who is coming to fullness of age, who is growing in the “meat” of the Word, is exercised to discern both good and evil. They are able to see life from God’s perspective and through Kingdom values. They no longer live for themselves but they live for Him who died and rose again from the dead. They see their lives as a stewardship of service for the Lord and give of their time, resources, and talents for building up the Kingdom of God. They begin to pray with understanding – “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Lord, help me to seek and desire the “meat” of Your Word. Help me to grow into the image of Christ in both my character and in my commitment to Your Kingdom. Help me to have the mind of Christ, discerning between good and evil, and putting the needs of others before my own. Lord, through my life may – “…Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” In Jesus Name!