Good news, dear friends. We have a great high priest after the order of Melchizedek!
Huh? Melchiza-who?
If you read this in verses 6 and 10 you probably wondered who or what a Melchizedek is. Maybe you even turned to Psalm 110 where David speaks of this and our Hebrews writer quotes. For now just hang on to your curiosity. Hebrews will pick this up in a moment...clarity will come. But here's a fair warning...it will be a bumpy ride getting there. Not bumpy in the difficult to understand intellectually, but the next few chapters challenge us all spiritually.
Focus for a moment on Hebrews 5:11-14. At this point the author interrupts his argument on Jesus as the Great High Priest to present a sobering challenge: Grow up. Too many are still trying to find their spiritual nourishment on milk when they are ready for solid food. This is not a spiritual baby still in need of soft foods. This is an adult with a mouth full of teeth, fully capable of chewing steak, yet content with milk and purees.
Why? Simply put: laziness.
By this point some in their Christian walk should be teachers...skilled in knowledge and understanding of God's word, teaching and explaining the Gospel, and spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually trained to discern good and evil, yet are not.
We as Christians should be moving toward maturity. We should be taking every thought captive. We should allow the Gospel to transform our hearts and minds. We should filter all our views through scripture and reform our worldview in harmony with the Word of God. We should be asking ourselves: why do I believe that? why do I feel that is true? why do I believe this is appropriate? Then, be prepared to answer with support from scripture.
What areas of life should we do this? In everything. This is not just limited to theology (though it is good for you to know scripture proofs for your beliefs), but all things...social issues, family, education, modesty, behavior, relationships etc. In all things maturity is moving beyond our preconceived ideas, passions, and sacred cows, releasing them to the filter of God's Holy Word, and reworking our mind and heart around the truth that remains.
For example...Facebook recently blew up with criticism and accolades regarding the former-yoga-pant-wearing blogger. Across my news feed were comments ranging from "way to go" to "it's not my job to keep your husband from looking at me." Her controversial stance even landed her on "Good Morning America" for an explanation. Topics that rile emotions, such as this, are excellent opportunities to pause, reflect, and do the hard work of scouring the Word of God yourself to influence your opinion.
When you heard of this blogger's new commitment, did you scoff, applaud, or roll your eyes? Why? Have you personally worked out this issue defining modesty? Do you believe that you as a female have a responsibility to make it more difficult for men to lust after you? Are you your brother's keeper? Does it even matter?
If we are unable or unwilling to grapple with questions that challenge our opinions, theology, and worldview then we must content ourselves with remaining in a permanent state of spiritual babyhood; however, when answering these questions in light of God's Word, we place ourselves on the path to spiritual maturity. The choice is yours.
Huh? Melchiza-who?
If you read this in verses 6 and 10 you probably wondered who or what a Melchizedek is. Maybe you even turned to Psalm 110 where David speaks of this and our Hebrews writer quotes. For now just hang on to your curiosity. Hebrews will pick this up in a moment...clarity will come. But here's a fair warning...it will be a bumpy ride getting there. Not bumpy in the difficult to understand intellectually, but the next few chapters challenge us all spiritually.
Focus for a moment on Hebrews 5:11-14. At this point the author interrupts his argument on Jesus as the Great High Priest to present a sobering challenge: Grow up. Too many are still trying to find their spiritual nourishment on milk when they are ready for solid food. This is not a spiritual baby still in need of soft foods. This is an adult with a mouth full of teeth, fully capable of chewing steak, yet content with milk and purees.
Why? Simply put: laziness.
By this point some in their Christian walk should be teachers...skilled in knowledge and understanding of God's word, teaching and explaining the Gospel, and spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually trained to discern good and evil, yet are not.
We as Christians should be moving toward maturity. We should be taking every thought captive. We should allow the Gospel to transform our hearts and minds. We should filter all our views through scripture and reform our worldview in harmony with the Word of God. We should be asking ourselves: why do I believe that? why do I feel that is true? why do I believe this is appropriate? Then, be prepared to answer with support from scripture.
What areas of life should we do this? In everything. This is not just limited to theology (though it is good for you to know scripture proofs for your beliefs), but all things...social issues, family, education, modesty, behavior, relationships etc. In all things maturity is moving beyond our preconceived ideas, passions, and sacred cows, releasing them to the filter of God's Holy Word, and reworking our mind and heart around the truth that remains.
For example...Facebook recently blew up with criticism and accolades regarding the former-yoga-pant-wearing blogger. Across my news feed were comments ranging from "way to go" to "it's not my job to keep your husband from looking at me." Her controversial stance even landed her on "Good Morning America" for an explanation. Topics that rile emotions, such as this, are excellent opportunities to pause, reflect, and do the hard work of scouring the Word of God yourself to influence your opinion.
When you heard of this blogger's new commitment, did you scoff, applaud, or roll your eyes? Why? Have you personally worked out this issue defining modesty? Do you believe that you as a female have a responsibility to make it more difficult for men to lust after you? Are you your brother's keeper? Does it even matter?
If we are unable or unwilling to grapple with questions that challenge our opinions, theology, and worldview then we must content ourselves with remaining in a permanent state of spiritual babyhood; however, when answering these questions in light of God's Word, we place ourselves on the path to spiritual maturity. The choice is yours.
No comments:
Post a Comment