The book of Hebrews gives a command to all believers in chapter 6, verse 1.
“Therefore, let us leave the elementary teaching about Christ and go on to maturity…” -Hebrews 6:1a
However, in that particular part of Hebrews, it doesn’t actually say HOW to mature. This left me thinking, surely somewhere in the letter, the writer tells them how to do that.
The answer is, he actually does, but not in one place and he doesn’t actually group them together. So I thought I would compile a list of ways we can and should mature in Christ, according to Hebrews.
1. Regular Heart assessment and Accountability.
“Watch out, brothers and sisters, so that there won’t be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage each other daily, while it is still called today, so that none of you is hardened by sin’s deception.” -Hebrews 3:12-13
2. Time Spent reading, studying, and applying God’s Word.
“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” -Hebrews 4:12
3. Drawing near to God in prayer.
“Therefore, let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in time of need. For every high priest taken from among men is appointed in matters pertaining to God for the people, to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins.” -Hebrews 4:16
4. Regularly gathering with believers.
“And let us consider one another in order to provoke love and good works, not neglecting to gather together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day approaching.” -Hebrews 10:24-25
5. ongoing repentance and obedience.
“For if we deliberately go on sinning after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire about to consume the adversaries.” -Hebrews 10:26–27
6. Heeding and responding to God’s discipline.
“No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” -Hebrews 12:11
7. Live Like a Christian in all parts of your life.
I won’t type all the verses that show this, but there are MANY commands that fit this category in Hebrews 13. Here are some examples:
“Don’t neglect to show hospitality…” -Hebrews 13:2a
“Don’t be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings…”
-Hebrews 13:9a
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, since they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” -Hebrews 13:17
I encourage you to read the entire chapter and consider some of the other areas of maturity that we are to live in.
For all of us, there is more maturing to be done in Christ. I know these categories and verses aren’t all Hebrews has to say about maturing, but I just wanted to list some of the major ones that stood out to me. If you have some others, feel free to leave them in the comments.
How do you need to grow and mature in Christ? Is there something on this list that you need to pay more attention to? Maybe something else? Whatever it is, I pray we will all see the importance of spiritual growth and maturity as we journey in faith.
