Irvin Wasswa- Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC

Hebrews 5:11-14

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 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, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

In the 1980’s the kids retail store Toys R’ Us produced a nationwide commercial which took off in the country. You probably are familiar with the commercial because of the famous jingle that went along with it: 

“I don’t wanna grow up,

I’m a Toys R Us Kid

There’s a Million toys at Toys R’ Us that I can play with”

The commercial promoted the fun of being a child and the need to not be urgent in growing up due to missing out on all the fun of playing games and toys with friends. No need to grow up when you are having fun!

Though the 80s commercial is cute and the jingle to it catchy, the idea of not wanting to grow up should not be the theme for the Christian when it comes to their spiritual life. The writer of Hebrews gets honest with the Christians and their walk with Jesus in Hebrews 5. He mentions how there was so much more for them to grasp and learn as followers of Jesus but the reality was they were not mature enough to receive such teaching because they were not growing in their faith. For some of the Christians there in the first century there was a contentment in staying as a baby Christian with no desire to grow. 

The Word in 2 Peter 3:18 calls for us to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. The call for us is to continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord. What does that entail? Growing in your time with the Lord in prayer and in His word along with growing in your obedience and surrender to Him. As you spend time with the Lord it also looks like seeing growth in your attitude regardless of season of life, growth in how you choose to love and treat others, and growth in how you choose to give and serve the Lord’s Church. 

Listen friend, it is time to grow up! One of the most dangerous places a child of God can be is being in a place where they are no longer growing. Would it be to God that we are not at the same place in our faith as we were five or ten years ago. May we be followers of Christ committed to growing in the grace and knowledge of God because of our love and adoration for Him and His mission. 

Are you growing in your faith today? When is the last time you have spent extended time in His word or in prayer? Have you seen a change in your attitude as a result of being at Jesus’ feet? When is the last time you have heard His voice and responded in obedience? Listen, it is time to grow up. Let us grow into the mature followers of Christ who love Him and love others. 

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Dear Heavenly Father Lord. Grow me in the grace and knowledge of the Lord. Help me not to be satisfied with being in the same place spiritually but help me to see the importance of growing in You. I love You so much! Thank you for who You are and how you are making me a mature disciple of You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:

Psalm 40:3

He put a new song in my mouth,

    a song of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear,

    and put their trust in the Lord.