By reason of use...

I can't even say how many times I've read Hebrews. At least a hundred times. Maybe more. And always there's something new to read. Old familiar words that suddenly stick out at you like a shred of blue sky in a thunderstorm.

In speaking about spiritual maturity, the author of Hebrews says this:

"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again... For everyone who partakes of milk only 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."

I think many Christians are familiar with the milk/solid food analogy that Paul also uses. Baby Christians need the basics, the milk, of the Word. And as you mature in the Spirit, you are able to handle the deeper, more difficult things in the Word.

Makes sense. But it's the second part of that verse that stopped me.

"...who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

That phrase "by reason of use" is so fundamental to understanding maturity. As I was thinking about this, God dropped an illustration into my head. Last semester I learned, in theory, how to place the leads for an EKG and read the results on the paper full of squiggly lines. I learned how to spot abnormalities in the chart and some of the possible causes for said abnormalities. What I did not learn is how to administer the test. I know the theory behind the test but I have no experience in giving the test. "By reason of use" a certified technician is qualified to administer an EKG test and accurately read the results. Were I to practice and receive training I too, could responsibly administer the EKG.

The same is true in our spiritual lives. We can read the Word; we can quote the Word; we can sing the Word; we can paint it on our houses and fences and post it online. But until we engage in life with Word, we will always be babies in need of milk.

There comes a time when the classroom is no longer a sufficient training ground. You have to stop reading it only and go and do. You can read "Forgive your brother seventy times seven times" your entire life and still carry a grudge against someone. Reading the word "forgive" is not the same as the act of forgiving.  The act shows your faith.

The act of holding your tongue when you want to give someone a piece of your mind- that is you, engaging in battle with the enemy. That is you, boots on the ground, in the trenches, giving feet to your faith. Not in your own strength, of course. But "He who promised is faithful."

Sometimes I would prefer to stay in the classroom. I could spend all day in Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, dissecting the word forgive. I could write copious essays on the importance of forgiveness and all the wrongs that could be righted if people would just forgive each other. At the end of the day I pack my books and stride out the door, confident that I've made great progress in my maturity. After all, I understand all about forgiveness now. And in the hallway I meet someone who has hurt me. Badly. Deeply. I walk past quickly. No smile. No greeting. Nothing.

And I realize that I am still just a baby, needing milk.

We all have areas of strength and others of weakness. None of us got to be strong without work and perseverance. Without the "reason of use."

I want to be a mature Christian. The name of this blog and the verse the concept comes from is 2 Timothy 2:15, "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." This is the picture of a mature Believer. One who has seen battle and triumphed. One who has proved his love and faith by holding fast to the truth. This is the one whom God approves. The one who takes Him at His word and is a hearer of the Word, yes. But is also a doer.

Maturity comes with a cost. You learn by experience and sometimes experience beats you up. But I'd rather be bruised and wise than beautiful and foolish.