Therefore let us get past the elementary stage in the teachings about the Christ, advancing on to maturity and perfection and spiritual completeness, [doing this] without laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, Hebrews 6:1 AMP
The entire chapter 6 of Hebrews tells us how to advance the idea of spiritual maturity BEYOND the basic tenants of Christian doctrine. So what exactly is the spiritual maturity the author of Hebrews is trying to explain? Simply, actually acting on the ‘Word’ given to you. You can read it, think about it, agree with it, memorize it, and even discuss it — but NEVER DO anything about it.
Let’s say I want to have a relationship with this certain person I like. I can read their writings, think about whether I agree with their writings and ideas, maybe agree with some if not all of what they are saying, and even commit to memorizing what they have written, and even discuss the person’s writings, views, and ideas with other people, but AM I actually in a real relationship with that person? Do I actually spend time with that person? Or do I just THINK about spending time with them?
Real spiritual maturity is about depth of relationship on an intimate reality, not an intellectual prowess of knowing ABOUT a possible relationship. You don’t have to have a high IQ to have a deep meaningful and very intimate relationship. Point of example: the chosen 12 disciples of Jesus. In fact, having a vast intellectual knowledge of the scriptures can be a stumbling block to a relationship with Christ IF you allow your own views of how you expect the relationship to look a certain way. Point of example: the Pharisees. Probably the most studied group at that time of Jesus to actually have memorized all of the scriptures. Did the Pharisees recognize who they had in their midst? They expected the messiah to act and behave in a certain way from their own debated ideas of what they expected the messiah to do. Yet, they got it VERY wrong.
Spiritual maturity has to do with depth of real relationship. Real relationship is DOING relationship. If you are told the ‘Word’, do you do it? You might say you don’t really understand what to do. How does one get past that barrier in a relationship? Communicate? Ask questions? Actually engage in relationship? How is a marital relationship complete? How do we complete our spiritual relationship with God?
All of this is why He was sent. Who?
But the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. John 14:26 AMP
But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you [to be in close fellowship with you]. John 16:7 AMP
What does the Holy Spirit actually bring to us? The very Presence of the Lord. The Presence of the Lord is power, life, and holiness. He is extremely practical. He wants us to DO! His attitude is this: “Look here, I have said this to you, you have heard it. Perhaps you have rejoiced in it. Perhaps you believed it to be true, and thank Me for it. But what have you done about it?”
Maybe this is the beginning of understanding this… to a degree.
But are you willing to recognize, you foolish [spiritually shallow] person, that faith without [good] works is useless? James 2:20 AMP
If you constantly tell your spouse that you love them, but never do anything with them… is that really …love? (See 1 Corinthians 13)