From Milk to Meat – Hebrews 5:11–6:12
Sep 22, 2025 4566
[CLICK HERE FOR THE LATEST VIDEO DEVOTION WITH DAVE MIERS]
Leave Neverland Faith Behind
Have you ever noticed how some stories capture the tension between staying young and growing up? Think of Peter Pan – the boy who never grows up. It sounds charming at first: carefree, adventurous, always young. But beneath the surface, Peter Pan’s refusal to grow up is actually tragic. It’s a failure to take on responsibility. A failure to step into maturity.
The book of Hebrews gives us a similar picture. It challenges Christians who were content with “Neverland faith” – stuck in childhood, unwilling to grow up. They’d heard the basics of the gospel over and over. But instead of moving forward in maturity, they were drifting. This week, we’re diving into Hebrews 5:11 through to 6:12, where the writer calls us to move from milk to meat. To grow into a deeper, stronger, more mature faith.
The Danger of Staying on Milk
In Hebrews chapter five, beginning at verse eleven, it says,
[11] About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. [12] 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. (ESV)
That’s a strong word. By now, they should be teaching others. But instead, they’re stuck on baby food. The call is simple: grow up in Christ.
Now, let’s be clear. If you’re brand new to faith, it’s totally fine to be on milk. Newborns need milk. But if you’ve been following Jesus for years, perhaps you need to hear and heed the warning in this week’s passage. We need to chew on the solid food of God’s Word. That means taking responsibility for your own growth. You can’t just rely on a pastor, podcast, or spoon-feeding. You’ve got to learn to feed yourself. Daily time in God’s Word. Wrestling with truth. Learning discernment. Helping others follow Jesus.
Warnings That Keep Us Safe
Why does this matter? Because spiritual immaturity is dangerous.
Pick it up in chapter 6 verse 4,
[4] For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, [5] and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, [6] and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance.” (ESV)
It’s one of the most challenging passages in the Bible! But here’s the key: God uses warnings like this to keep His people safe. They’re like guardrails on a mountain road. If you feel the weight of the warning, that’s a good sign. It means your heart is still tender. It means you want to keep following Jesus. So don’t ignore the warning. Let it shake you awake if you’re drifting.
Better Things: Love, Hope, and Faith
But Hebrews doesn’t end with rebuke. It ends with encouragement and fruit.
Look at chapter 6, verse 9,
“[9] Though we speak in this way, yet in your case, beloved, we feel sure of better things – things that belong to salvation.” (ESV)
That’s the heart of this passage. Better things. Fruit that comes from salvation. And what does that fruit look like? Three things: love, hope, and faith.
Verse 10 says,
“[10] For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do.” (ESV)
That’s love… serving others, even when no one notices. God sees.
Verse 11,
“[11] And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end.” (ESV)
That’s hope… holding on with confidence because Christ is risen.
Verse 12,
“[12] So that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (ESV)
That’s faith… persevering to the end, not sluggish, but pressing on.
This is what maturity looks like. Not perfection. But a life growing in love, hope, and faith until the end.
I’ll never forget running a steep trail course with a friend who slowed right down to stay with me. He cleared rocks off the path, gave me advice, cheered me on, and even quoted Scripture. Honestly, I wouldn’t have finished as well without him.
That’s something like what the Christian community does. We need people walking with us, urging us on in love, hope, and faith. Now, I’m guessing some following along with this devotion aren’t in a regular church community right now. Maybe it’s been a while. Maybe life’s complicated. Can I encourage you? Don’t try to run this race alone. Find ways to keep connected, even if it’s just starting small, because we grow best together.
We Grow Because of Jesus
And here’s the good news: we don’t grow just by chewing a little harder. We grow because of Jesus. He is the Son of God who lived the perfect life we couldn’t, offered Himself once for all as our sacrifice, rose in triumph, and now reigns as our great High Priest. He’s the foundation – and that’s what makes growth possible.
So, as we start another week in Hebrews, don’t stay in Neverland. Don’t settle for milk. Don’t drift. Instead, grow up. Press on. And by God’s grace, display the fruit of maturity: love, hope, and faith.
Reflection
Are you on milk or solid food right now? Pray that God would grow you into maturity, rooted in Christ.
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