Hebrews 5:11-12 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food!

There is some real comfort in realizing this problem goes all the way back to the 1st Century! This passage is the perennial lament of pastors and church leaders down through the centuries. However, it’s important to remember that just as God was faithful back then, He is still faithful today. People with the gift/calling of Evangelist tend to focus on getting people in the door, but people with the gift/calling of Teacher, as the writer of Hebrews evidently was, are more focused on the growth and maturity of people once they have believed. However, both are needed. That’s why different people have different gifting! Everyone is in need of the initial commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord, but everyone also needs a hunger to grow deeper in faith and knowledge so that they will be a better disciple, a better witness. Different people respond to these challenges/opportunities differently. That’s why some people are not saved, even though the Gospel has been presented to them, and why some people never grow in faith once they are saved. It is each individual’s loss, and not God’s fault, as some people would try to insist. It is also seldom the fault of the person who is trying to bring that person to salvation or help them grow and mature. Those who are evangelists and teachers are called to be faithful, certainly, but they aren’t to inflate themselves over the results they see, or beat themselves up over the lack of them. That’s why Jesus, Paul, John, and the writer of Hebrews all talked about rewards. We are saved by grace through faith, (Ephesians 2:8-9) but that doesn’t mean we all have identical outcomes. There will be differences in heaven, though even the lowest level is infinitely better than not making it in. That said, I think we can rest assured there will be no resentment, because everyone will understand why they and others are in their respective places. All who are faithful will have the joy of their master! (Matthew 25:21, 23)

As a Teacher, my heart says AMEN every time I come to this passage. I have a tendency to stress out over how different individuals are failing to grow as I feel they should, but what I have just written should comfort me on that point. Also, I’ve got to remember how much room I myself still have to grow! I am very aware in the area of parenting that different children mature at different rates in different areas. A child who is very bright might be slow socially, for example, while a child with remarkable coordination might not care for books. As a teacher and spiritual father I desire that all grow strong in all areas, but it’s not going to happen, at least not on this earth. I’ve got to remember that each one is individually responsible to God for their stewardship of whatever gifts, abilities, and opportunities they have received – and that includes me. I need to be most careful of my own faithfulness, and leave everything else in God’s hands.

Father, I didn’t expect to write all of this when I started. Thank You. Thank You for the joy of seeing those who do choose to grow. Help me be fully available to You as Your gardener, pruning and watering and fertilizing as You direct, so that You may have the abundant harvest You desire and deserve, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!