If our modern-day evangelical churches had a spiritual equivalent to Alcoholics Anonymous it would be called Milk Drinkers Anonymous.   This is made abundantly clear to us in the stinging admonition of Hebrews 5:11 to 6:6.  I would encourage you, dear reader, to meditate upon this very insightful passage.  When you read it, be challenged and admonished.  But also, be encouraged that the “old” problems are the perennial problems that have plagued every generation of the visible ecclesia.  Truly, there is nothing new under the sun!

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers!  You need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.  You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is UNSKILLED in the Word of righteousness, since he is a child!”   (Hebrews 5:12-13)

As those who love the study of God’s Word, it should be readily apparent that we are living in very troubling times, spiritually speaking.  All around us we are seeing the great falling away from the basic gospel, and most tragically from the New Covenant glories of Jesus Christ.  Our churches are a sad testament to this.   They are high production milk-bottle factories.

Here in Ontario, Canada, the Evangelical/Baptist/Bible churches are honestly a mess.  As tragic as this is for me, I am encouraged in knowing that they were like this in the apostolic era too.  Paul’s admonition to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:1-2) and John’s letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2 & 3) prove that the enemy has always been at work within the assemblies of Jesus Christ to cause chaos and subversion, as also witnessed the days of Jude (Jude 1:4).  Admitting this is the first step toward recovery, as they say in AA. 

So let us admit it.  We are a shallow milk-drinking generation of spiritual infants.  However, in the face of this, let us also be bold in Christ!  Let us dare, for once, to be more shrewd than the “sons of this world” (Luke 16:8).  Let us be courageous to confront our fellow brothers, sisters, deacons, elders, and pastors.   Yes, boldly and in love!  But in a love for God’s Word and His honour that burns like a devouring flame!

“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave!  Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD!”   (Song of Songs 8:6)

Our sleepy and shallow churches are in dire need of a rude awakening, a mighty intervention of those who burn with the jealousy of the Holy Spirit over the sad condition of Christ’s heritage among the gentile nations.   Let us then be those who are not content with the “elementary doctrine of Christ” (Hebrews 6:1).   For why should we go on re-hashing a basic “John 3:16 Christianity,” going over infantile things ad nauseum? 

Why do we settle for shallow “do’s and don’ts” teaching and even shallower modern “worship” music?  This ought NOT to be dear brothers and sisters!  At this late stage of the New Covenant age, we should be richly enabled and equipped teachers!  We have possessed the living oracles of God for centuries.  We should be as the noble Bereans: “who received the Word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11).  And yet, tragically, we find ourselves as the most shallow generation of Christianity that has ever lived.

My dear fellow-saints, inasmuch as I love to encourage the brethren, I also am cognizant of my calling to reprove them too, as one who is likewise reproved by the Word.  My dearest reader, I implore you in the Name of Jesus our blessed Messiah and Lord, be no longer satisfied with the infantile milk-diet you are receiving in your local assembly.  We desperately need to “leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity” (Hebrews 6:1).  Let then us pursue Jesus in the way of Spirit and Truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship Him (John 4:23).  Read the Word.  Study the Word.  Love the Word.  Be jealous for the Word.  Know Jesus deeper.  He is The Word, incarnate!   Be filled with the Spirit.  And allow your heart and mind to be transformed into His glorious image, from one degree of glory to another.   Amen.

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John Dunn, a resident of Niagara, Ontario, Canada, John has devoted many years to the study of the Greater Exodus and the profound truths of the New Covenant established by Jesus Christ. As a theologian and teacher, his doctrinal research and passion for Scripture have blessed countless individuals, inspiring a deeper understanding of God’s redemptive plan and equipping believers to live in the fullness of their identity in Christ.