FRIDAY, MARCH 10
Hebrews 5:1-11
1Peter 2:2-3

"… desire the sincere milk of the word,
that ye may grow thereby."

WARNING AGAINST STAGNANCY

The author of the book of Hebrews warned that if Christians continue to be stagnant in their spiritual growth, there is a tendency that they will return to their former life. There is a grave recompense expected, for it is impossible for those who once appeared to have been in the faith to repent if they fall away from it (Heb 6:4-6).

Their spiritual stagnancy was rebuked. The accusation was about their being dull, sluggish or slow to become involved in some activity. To be "dull of hearing" (Heb 5:11) is descriptive of that state of mind in which statements could be made without producing any corresponding impression, without being attended to, without being understood or without being felt. In other words, they were spiritually lethargic.

The author’s exhortation was for believers while he also cited examples of false believers who may, in the end, apostatize. He desired Christians to have the assurance of their hope in Christ and so they must not become lazy, for he knew that they were ignorant of some of the very elements of the gospel. Many of them could only bear the simplest nourishment. They were incapable of receiving the higher doctrines of the gospel, as much as little children are incapable of digesting solid food. They were, in fact, in a state of spiritual infancy.

How about you? Are you growing spiritually through the study of God’s Word? Do you have the appetite to partake more and slowly digest "meat" doctrines? Are you in a higher spiritual plane than before? Do not become stagnant or lethargic, or you might be found to be spiritually dead.

THOUGHT: Am I growing in my spiritual life?
PRAYER: "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward" (Ps 19:10-11).