It’s that time of year where excitement is in the air because for many, the reward of years of hard work culminates in the recognition of the graduation ceremony and the receipt of the long sought after diploma. 
It is always interesting that for the graduate, this joy is usually mixed with a season of intense weight. Academic pressures of final exams, social pressures of being forced to say goodbye to friends, some of which you never see again, and imputed pressures of decision making regarding the next season of life. After all, graduation implies that one is headed into a new chapter. You see, just as many people spend more time preparing for their wedding than for their marriage, most students spend tremendous amounts of time considering their graduation but very little energy planning their future. People live out their spiritual lives in the same way.
The Bible encourages people to move past the elementary school principles of Christ and to graduate to what comes next. (Hebrews 6:1-2) Just as in school, we are to successfully complete each course and then grow beyond it. Can you imagine how foolish it would be if you and I were still repeating addition and subtraction lessons everyday when we have learned these things as young children? Instead, after we learned these foundations, we went on to multiplication, then division, and beyond. In the same way, according to this Bible passage, turning away from dead religious observance or spiritual self-accomplishment to real surrendered faith in God is the beginning of courses in spiritual basics. As it says in Proverbs 1 “The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”. Not the culmination of wisdom, but just the beginning. It is the starting place; the place of beginning in the spiritual journey. If you look up these verses, you will discover that other elementary school topics include teachings about baptisms, the laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. But truth be told, these are some of the very things that are debated, rejected, and misunderstood. So here is my first point. If you are seeking truth and want to know where to start, these verses are like a compass pointing a clear direction. Start with the acknowledgement of the authority and power of an Almighty Creator God (for the Bible says that a fool says that there is no God) and your own inability through anything you do to commune with Him except He give you access. Seek that access point through Christ, then discover what baptism, the laying on of hands, the ultimate resurrection of the dead, and your position in eternal judgment is all about in light of your growing faith in God, that He loves you and has saved you.
Now for my second point. If you have been a Christian for quite some time, and you are still stuck in the elementary things, it is time to move on. Imagine going to a graduation this month of someone you care about only to discover he can not read his own diploma. Doesn’t make sense does it. In the same way we are told to grow up. Lets learn the basics but then move on to bigger things. “So what are those bigger things?” you ask. “What are the identifying marks of someone who is mature in Christ?” you wonder. And this is the best part. Just when you thought I was about ready to get into some really heavy theological issues, I am not. You see, even those are mere middle school in spiritual things. It is possible for you to go right to college and beyond if you have “love” for one another. Yes, it is true; for the bi-product of spending time with God and His presence in your life will be love, joy peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Spiritual maturity is described here as you begin to enjoy that abundant life that Jesus said He came to bring us. No longer looking to one another, to judge or to criticize each other, but looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)
Congratulations to every graduate. You have accomplished your goal. We wish you great success in your future and may we also follow your lead and go on to what God has called each of us to in our lives, in Him.