From Unskilled to Filled in Righteousness

"For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." (Hebrews 5: 13)

How do we get "skillful" in righteousness? The original word in this verse, "unskilful" speaks of "untested," or "unfamiliar."

God sets His love on those who pursue righteousness:

"The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness." (Proverbs 15: 9)


In this verse, "follow after" implies that the pursuit of righteousness is not a fruitless venture. The person will get righteousness.

Jesus told us to make His righteousness our number one priority:

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." (Matthew 6: 33)

Yet before this verse, He promised them that they would get what they were looking for:

"Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5: 6)

To be skilled in righteousness is to be filled with righteousness, and in Christ God has more than accomplished this for us:

"For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5: 21)

Just as we have been made "the righteousness of God", we are also invited to keep receiving the gift of righteousness:

"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive [lit. are receiving] abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ." (Romans 5: 17)

God the Father invites us to keeping being filled with His righteousness, never to settle for trying to get what He so freely gives (Romans 8: 32).

How to be skilled -- keep being filled!