Practicing for the Varsity Team

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explainbecause you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to beteachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word allover again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, beingstill an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. Butsolid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves todistinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:11-14).

Among Christians there seem to be many differences on howthey view good and evil, including: 1) legalistic rules taught by men and 2) licentiousviolation of God's rules.

Both of these are wrong. There is another difference: thatis the difference between infancy and maturity. There are many Christians whoneed to be taught elementary truths all over again. Much of my time is spent inthis occupation.

However, it is not the amount or depth of teaching thatmakes a Christian mature. It is he who has his “faculties trained bypractice" (RSV) or by "constant use" (NIV) to "distinguishgood from evil."

If we spend our time in practice, we will be able toeat with the varsity at the training table of solid food.

 

Written April 1991.

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How To Be Free From Bitterness and other essays on Christian relationships