Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:13-14
THE FICKLE
Are you a milk drinker?
Milk Drinkers
- They don't try to understand what is right. (5.11)
- They ought to be teachers, but needs to be taught themselves again. (5.12)
- They are "not acquainted" with the teaching about righteousness (because they don't live it out) (5.13)
- They are not mature, i.e., able to distinguish good from evil. (5.14)
THE FALLEN
A warning - Don't fall away
Their previous status:
- They have been enlightened
- They have tasted the heavenly gift
- They have shared in the Holy Spirit
- They have tasted the goodness of the word of God, and the powers of the coming age ...
But have fallen - It is impossible for them to be brought back to repentance. What does "fallen" mean here? It means falling away from the faith, turning away from Christ.
Two illustrations:
- They are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace (6.6)
- They are like lands who after receiving rain produced thorns and thistles. They are worthless, cursed, and burned. (6.8)
Comfort - Even though we speak like this (serious warning) ... we are convinced of better things in your case--the things that have to do with salvation. (6.9)
THE FAITHFUL
Challenge: GROW UP!
Drink the rain and produce a crop useful for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God (6.7)
- Move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ (6.1)
- Be taken forward to maturity (6.1)
- Be diligent and committed to serve others (6.10-11)
- Imitate men of faith who inherited the promise (6.12)
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