From Hebrews: Moving Beyond Spiritual Milk to Maturity in Christ
Orientation
The temptation to revert to religious systems or legalism, even with good intentions, can cause spiritual drifting and loss of assurance.
- The call is to move beyond elementary teachings about our standing before God.
- Clinging to obsolete systems like the Law of Moses neglects the great salvation in Christ.
- This regression is not about sinful desire but a craving for familiar religious structure.
Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
— Hebrews 2:1
Clarification
Moving on to 'meat' is not about earning a higher status, but about embracing the full sufficiency of Christ as our High Priest and Mediator.
- 'Milk' refers to foundational doctrines; 'meat' is the solid food of Christ's finished work and priestly ministry.
- This transition is about understanding, not performance—it is seeing what is already true in Christ.
- The danger is not in being a 'babe' but in refusing the truth that secures us against deception.
But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
— Hebrews 5:14
Structure
Biblical logic reveals Christ as the merciful High Priest who ends the old system, granting us access, rest, and discernment through union with Him.
- Christ's priesthood replaces the Law of Moses, rendering it obsolete and unprofitable for righteousness.
- Our union with Christ in His death and resurrection is the foundation for spiritual stability and warfare.
- God's discipline is corrective, training us to rest in Christ's sufficiency, not to return to works.
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
— Hebrews 4:14-16
Weight-Bearing Prose
The Pauline argument is that Christ, as High Priest and Mediator, has fulfilled and terminated the Law of Moses. To revert to it or any religious legalism is to declare His work insufficient and to fall from grace. This is the core error addressed to the Hebrews. The great salvation offered is complete in Christ; neglecting it through regression has dire consequences, as seen in the judgment on Jerusalem for rejecting Christ and the prophets. Spiritual warfare is waged not against flesh but against doctrines of demons and accusations that target our assurance. The believer’s defense is the internalized Word of God, which enables discernment between truth and error. Perfection is not attained through the Law but is received through faith in Christ’s finished work. God’s discipline is not punitive wrath but loving correction to bring us to the end of self and into the rest of Christ’s sufficiency.
Integration
Your standing is secure in Christ, the merciful High Priest. He has entered the holiest place for you. There is no need to supplement His work with any system or law. His priesthood is your permanent access to the Father. Any accusation or temptation to drift back is answered by His finished work. Rest here. The pressure to ‘advance’ or ‘mature’ is removed when you see that maturity is simply knowing Him more fully—the One who is already your righteousness, sanctification, and reward. Hold fast to this profession. Christ is your stability, your discernment, and your peace. You are not striving for blessing; you are already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Him.