Read Hebrews 5

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

Herein lies the key to maturity in the life of the Christian. All of it depends on the diet and the exercise of God's Word, just as our health depends on the diet and exercise of our bodies. Perhaps this analogy has been overused and is too cliche, but the truth of it still remains. Christians must grow up into maturity and that can only happen by “growing in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (see 2 Peter 3:18).

If we look closer at these verses in Hebrews, we discover that both the diet of God’s Word and the exercise of God’s Word are interdependent upon each other. One cannot happen without the other. The baby in Christ gets stuck drinking milk only because he has also remained unskilled in the word of righteousness. But the mature Christian is one who has exercised his senses to which he is able to consume solid food.

There is, then, a clear spiritual process of growing up in Christ. As one comes to understand God’s Word, he must then also take what he understands and exercise it. As he exercises it, he comes to understand more of God’s Word. As he understands more, he exercises, and as he exercises, he understands more. I think we get the picture.

This is the same principle which the Apostle James declared to the church —

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” (James 1:22)

From this biblical principle we can now diagnose what true maturity is and why the Christian may experience stunted growth. Take, for example, the Christian who knows the Bible inside and out, but has not come to exercise their senses by it. They are knowledgable Christians, but not practical ones and therefore will not grow. Or what about the Christian who practices what little they know, but do not study the Scriptures? They inevitably cannot move beyond drinking milk. They are practical Christians, but not knowledgeable ones.

Beloved, both the knowledge of God’s Word and the practice of God’s Word must work together in our lives if we are to grow. Perhaps you feel like no matter how much you study your walk with Christ is dry and barren. Could it be that it’s time to exercise what you’ve already studied? Or perhaps you are feeling worn out in your walk with Christ. Could it be that it’s time to get back to studying new found glories in God’s Word to nourish your soul?

History has shown us that knowledge without practice breeds arrogance, and practice without knowledge breeds heresy. Faith without works is dead, and works without faith is deader still (see James 2:18-20). What a wonderful interplay!

Dear friend, if we are to remain humble, we must put our biblical knowledge into practice. If we are to remain well-grounded, we must put our biblical practice in line with knowledge. And praise be to God that He has already provided the knowledge in His Word. Yes, He has already prepared the works beforehand that we should walk in them. God has paved the way for us to grow.

Will you walk it?

“For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;” (Colossians 1:9–10)

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