Hebrews Chapter 5: I Don't Want to be Dull

The writer of Hebrews had a problem.  There was so much he wanted to share about the priesthood of Jesus, so much that would make a difference in the lives of his readers.  But he was stopped short because of "dullness of hearing."  

Heb 5:11  About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 

We shouldn't assume that this was a problem only for the first century readers of this epistle.  This is a sobering reminder to examine ourselves.  Have we stalled in our Christian walk?  It's okay for babies to live on a diet of milk, just as it's okay for a brand new Christian to need the basic teachings of the faith.  We are instantly changed from dead in our sins to alive in Jesus, but the growth from new Christian to a mature believer able to eventually teach and disciple others is a process.  We must let God's word sink down deep into our hearts and do it's transforming work, helping us to discern right from wrong.  

Heb 4:12  For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. 

But when we stall out and begin to be sluggish and dull, we become overgrown babies.  It would be embarrassing to see a forty-year old man wearing a diaper and sucking on a bottle.  It's embarrassing and tragic to see a believer who has known Christ for years still failing to let the elementary principles of the faith inform his daily walk.  Sadly, I see more of myself in the dull folks to whom Hebrews 5:11 is addressed than I care to admit.  I don't want to be dull.  So what do we do?  We take the spiritual milk and let it help us grow up so that we can move on to spiritual solid food.  Let's leave dullness to the dullards.  Let us be vigilant that we don't stall out at spiritual babyhood but long to grow up in Christ.  

The notes for our last Hebrews study, chapter five, are here.  I am greatly indebted to two John Piper messages on this chapter.  You can read them at the Desiring God website.  He is the Source of Eternal Salvation for All that Obey Him, and By This Time You Ought to Be Teachers.