Hebrews 5:12-6:1

The context of Hebrews 5:12-6:1 is clear. Many Jews were coming to Christ yet at the same time holding to a simplistic law system from Judaism. In one way or another they kept holding to past teachings under the law and adding Jesus to that system. But Jesus is not to be added to any other system.  He fulfills and perfects the old covenant! And He makes it “obsolete” (Hebrews 8:13).  When coming to Christ, we are to leave behind “elementary things” and press on to the infinite riches of Christ!

This article serves to point out how today’s confessing church is prone to a new type of short-sighted simplicity. A purposeful commitment to stay in the shallow waters concerning the things of Christ and never savoring the solid food! I call it the “Milky Way.”

Paul in Ephesians 3:17-19 says, “ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.” This is a strong word teaching us to press on into Christ, learning more of His person and work and to treasure and joy in the infinite wonders of His love, power, wisdom, and beauty. Indeed, He is inexhaustible! What a robbery of ourselves; what a dishonor to Him to purpose to stay in the shallow waters and nurse on milk!

In contemporary evangelical Christianity, this is a profound and often overlooked problem. The “Milk Way” is a state of spiritual infancy characterized by a dependency on the basic, elementary principles of the faith. Just as a child outgrows the need for milk to sustain his/her growth, so too must Christians progress beyond the milk of spiritual infancy and delve into the deeper truths of God’s Word.

The Milky Way: An Idolatry of Shallow Christianity

The “Milky Way” refers to a form of Christianity that finds its comfort in shallow, easily digestible doctrines. The desire to remain in the elementary stages of the faith, rejecting any attempt to dive deeper into the riches of God’s Word, has created a pervasive culture in many churches. This idolatry of spiritual shallowness often leads to a dismissive attitude toward deeper biblical teaching. This has led some to deem “deeper life” or even “reformed theology” as dangerous or unnecessary.

Instead of pushing Christians to grow and mature in their understanding, many churches and pastors have catered to a preference for “milk,” offering comfortable and simplistic sermons that entertain rather than challenge. Like young children who are content with milk and resist solid food, so too are many Christians satisfied with surface-level teachings that require little effort to digest.

I. Their Shallow Milk Dependency Is Without Excuse

Hebrews 5:12-14 speaks to the grave reality of spiritual infancy or immaturity in the church. The author of Hebrews admonishes the believers, saying, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God.” This rebuke points to a failure to mature in the faith. By this point, the believers should have been ready to teach others, yet they remain infants in their understanding.

Spiritual immaturity is not a mere oversight; it is without excuse. Christians have been given the Word of God and the doctrine necessary for growth, and it is their duty to move beyond the basics. It is not enough simply to understand that Jesus is the Savior and that salvation is by grace. We must continue to deepen our understanding of who God is and what He has done in Christ. Remaining on milk, when we have been given the full counsel of God, is a disservice to us and is dishonoring to Him.

II. Their Shallow Milk Dependency Is Pathetic

The danger of remaining spiritually immature is not just that it is undesirable, it is a pathetic state. The author of Hebrews writes, “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the Word of righteousness, for he is an infant.” This imagery is striking. A person who refuses to grow and move beyond basic teachings is spiritually akin to an infant who cannot handle solid food. Just as it would be grotesque for an adult to still be nursing, so too is it perverse for Christians to remain content with milk after they have been given everything needed for spiritual maturity.

This spiritual immaturity manifests itself in a lack of discernment. Hebrews 5:14 contrasts infants with those who are mature, saying that “solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” A mature Christian can discern the deeper truths of God’s Word, understanding the weighty implications of doctrine and the way it shapes his/her life. But those who remain on milk are unable to do so, and this makes them vulnerable to false teachings.

III. Their Shallow Milk Dependency Is a Sin

Spiritual infancy or immaturity is not simply a shortcoming—it is a sin. The Hebrew church was called to grow, to move beyond the elementary teachings, and to pursue the deeper things of God. The failure to do so is not just a casual neglect but a rejection of the responsibility given to every believer to grow in grace and knowledge.

As Christians, we are saved not only from sin but for God Himself. Our salvation is meant to bring us into a deeper relationship with God, and we are called to diligently study His Word to know Him more fully. Refusing to grow in this way is sin before God. To remain satisfied with the milk of the Word when solid food is available is to dishonor God and His great work of salvation.

Moving Beyond Milk

While the basic doctrines of salvation are essential, they are not the end of the journey. Christians are called to continue growing in their understanding of God, moving beyond the milk of elementary teachings to the rich and deep truths of the Bible. This is a process of unfolding and exploring the vastness of God’s character, His plan of salvation, and the ways He is at work in the world.

It is not enough merely to accept the basic truths of Christianity. We must strive to know God more deeply, to increasingly understand the mysteries of His Word, and to apply those truths to our lives. The milk of salvation is just the beginning; the meat of the Word is where we find true spiritual nourishment and joy!

Practical Applications for Pastors and the Church

1. Expect Initial Shock of Deeper Truths
   For both pastors and the people, when deeper truths are revealed, there will be an initial shock. Pastors must be prepared for this reaction and should anticipate resistance when challenging the people to go beyond basics. They have a responsibility to push the people of God to engage with challenging, transformative truths from Scripture, even when it disrupts their comfort zone. The church, too, must be open to embracing these truths, even when they unsettle long-held beliefs.
2. Fight the Ever-Present Temptation to Remain Shallow
   Pastors, it is easy to fall into the trap of providing milk to the people because it’s comfortable and well-received. However, you have been entrusted with the charge to feed the flock with solid food, not just entertainment or simplistic lessons. You must resist the temptation to water down the message and instead preach the whole counsel of God. For the church, it’s essential to resist the pull of superficial teaching and actively pursue growth in your understanding of God’s Word.
3. Encourage the People to Go Deeper
   Pastors have a direct role in encouraging spiritual maturity in the church. Do not settle for spiritual infancy in your people. Challenge them to grow, model a life of deep engagement with Scripture, and lead them toward deeper worship and understanding. This might mean addressing uncomfortable topics, preaching on difficult doctrines, or simply inviting them to step into areas of faith they’ve never explored before. A God-called pastor is the church’s guide in this effort. And the church must trust the Lord to use your pastor in his leadership position as pastor/teacher, in leading you in this spiritual maturity.
4. Be Thankful, but Never Proud
   Pastors, as you grow in your understanding of God’s Word, remember that all knowledge comes from God. Be thankful for the deeper truths He has revealed to you but never become proud or self-sufficient in your learning. Your call to preach is one of humility, and the more you learn, the more you should be humbled by the depth of God’s wisdom. For the church, likewise, don’t let your pursuit of deeper knowledge make you proud. Humility should always accompany spiritual growth.
5. Remember God is Infinite
   The more you dive into the Word, the more you will realize just how much you don’t know. God’s wisdom is infinite, and you will never exhaust the depths of His knowledge. Let this truth drive you to be ever more diligent in your study and in your pursuit of understanding. You will never “arrive,” where you fully comprehend God’s mysteries, but the journey itself is one of continual growth and a deepening love for Him.
6. Embrace the Spirit’s Illumination
   It is vital for both pastors and the congregation to rely on the Holy Spirit for true understanding of Scripture. Pastors, it is not through your eloquence or intellect that you will lead people into deeper truth, but through the Spirit’s guidance. As you faithfully preach God’s Word, pray for the Spirit to open your eyes to the deeper truths of Scripture. Church, as you sit under sound teaching, rely on the Holy Spirit to illuminate your hearts and minds, allowing you to fully grasp the deeper truths of God’s Word.

Conclusion

The call to move beyond the milk of spiritual infancy is a call to grow in our knowledge and love of God. As Christians, we must resist the temptation to remain content with endless repetition of shallow teachings and strive to grow in our understanding of the deep and glorious truths of Scripture. By doing so, we will honor God and fulfill the purpose for which we were saved—to ever increasingly know Him, enjoy Him, and make Him known, for His own glory.

To hear more listen to: The Milky Way P.1 and The Milky Way P.2 – (1/15/06 and 1/22/06)

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