learning through practice


No one who lives on milk alone can know the ins and outs of what it means to be righteous and pursue justice; that’s because he is only a baby. But solid food is for those who have come of age, for those who have learned through practice to distinguish good from evil. [Hebrews 5:13-14 VOICE]

The phrase "coming of age" reminds me of the Jewish rite of "Bar Mitzvah" or "Confirmation", it's Christian counterpart. In each rite a transition from childhood to adulthood is celebrated.

This seems to be the sense that the writer is communicating. Yet I think that example breaks down in that spiritual maturity, by nature, continues to progress well in to adulthood.

I love the words "ins and outs" and "learned through practice" used in this translation. Spiritual maturity is all about the ins and outs. About what we practice on a daily basis.

Our spiritual journeys are all about learning to distinguish the good practices that mature us from the bad ones that keep us from growing. As we do, we spiritually come of age.

We need you Lord. To discover the ins and outs of the kingdom. And to practice faith each day.


... this devotion is part of a series about the book of Hebrews.

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