"Brethren, be not children in understanding (howbeit in malice be ye children) but in understanding be men." (I Corinthians 14:20)
"Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisies and envies and all evil speakings as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the Word that you may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious ..." (I Peter 2:1-2)
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgement -- and this we will do if God permit." (Hebrews 6:1-3)
"That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive -- but speaking the truth in love may grow up into Him in all things, which is the Head -- Christ." (Ephesians 4:14-15)
"Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the Spirit: for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life." (II Corinthians 3:6)
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which which [be] the first oracles of God, and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat -- for every one that uses milk [is] unskillful in the Word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth tho them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." (Hebrews 5:12-14)
"And hath put all under His feet and gave Him the head over all to the church -- which is His body the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
(Note in this latter scripture from Ephesians, I did not include the added words -- all [things], gave Him [to be], over [all things]. I believe that in this particular verse, the meaning changes because of the added words.)
Getting back on topic, note the escalating progression between these verses -- pointing to a desire and a willingness in the believer's heart to move forward with the good news gospel of Jesus Christ.
The beginning of our faith journey is likened to a child of Jesus by faith, whereby we desire the sincere milk of the Word so that we may grow. Still, we are instructed not to remain as children in our understanding. We are to become mature in our understanding. In other words, as we study His Word "to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth" we learn the principles of the doctrine of Christ. (II Timothy 2:15)
But again, we do not stop there. We do not become stagnant in our desire to learn more. Rather, we continue pressing into Jesus so that we can become skillful in the Word of righteousness, and similarly, ministers of the new testament, and teachers of strong meat.
Why is this important?
So that we can proudly proclaim from the rooftops what was quietly whispered in our ear. But until we diligently search His Word, the scriptures tell us that we remain as babes. We remain stuck in the first principles of the doctrines of Christ. Stuck in the traditions of the modern day religious culture -- never moving forward in the love and grace of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ.
Apostle Paul explains it this way: "And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal -- as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat, for hitherto ye were not able [to bear it], neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal; for whereas among you envying and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
For while one saith, "I am of Paul" and another, "I of Apollos" -- are ye not carnal? Who then is Paul and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one; and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour -- for we are labourers together with God -- ye are God's husbandry -- God's building according to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master builder. I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereon for other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. ... Therefore, let no man glory in men. For all things are yours -- whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and ye are Christ's and Christ God's." (I Corinthians 3:1-23)
The same message delivered in Ephesians: "And hath put all under His feet and gave Him the head over all to the church -- which is His body the fullness of Him that filleth all in all." (Ephesians 1:22-23)
God is not the author of confusion. His Word has not been hid from us.
"Now to Him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith -- to God only wise, glory through Jesus Christ forever, Amen." (Romans 16:25-27)
Moreover, we were not redeemed with corruptible things such as silver or gold, nor neither were you and I redeemed by tradition from our fathers, Rather, we were redeemed with the precious blood of Christ -- as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you and I. (I Peter 1:18-20)
God personally delivered the greatest love story ever told! Stand in the offering plate.
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