The Biblical Path of Life

Tag: Milk

  • Be Followers, Not Slothful

    “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
    Hebrews 6:12

    Hebrews was written to the Jewish people who had trusted in Christ but were having a hard time letting go of the practice of their old religious system. They were called to die to the old way of life and learn to walk with Jesus in this new life. (See how it is described in Ephesians: “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” Ephesians 4:24.) However, the people were not growing in their Christian faith. Instead, they wanted to return to the old ways.

    After reminding them of the obedience of Jesus, the writer of Hebrews called upon Believers not to digress in their Christian walk. There was much for them to learn. These words were recorded for Christians to learn from today as well. “11. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 12. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Hebrews 5:11-12). It is a shame, but most Christians are “dull of hearing.” Dull means “slothful; sluggish.” Hearing means “of hearing doctrine taught and receiving it with faith.” Many Christians are ignorant of the Word of God, and instead of being able to teach others, they have to be taught, again and again, the simplest things that are written within God’s Word. The writer of Hebrews compared this to one who is like a baby: one who can only drink milk, as opposed to one who is mature and can handle strong meat. “13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). Exercised means “to train in godliness.” Each Christian is to train in godliness, then being able to grow by the “strong meat” of God’s Word, making one capable of discerning good and evil.

    The basic foundational truths were not to have to be continually rehashed. “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” (Hebrews 6:1). Once one learns the basics of the Gospel message and doctrine, they should not have to be dealt with again. They were to grow into maturity: 

    • Salvation comes through faith – one has to believe Jesus died for man’s sin, and that salvation is by grace, not of works (“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified” Galatians 2:16);
    • that one must die to the old way of life (“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” Titus 3:5), (see it also pictured in baptism: see Romans 6:3-8);
    • the Holy Spirit is then imparted to every believer (“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise” Ephesians 1:13);
    • there is eternal life in heaven for all who have trusted in Jesus (“12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God” 1 John 5:12-13);
    • all will one day stand before the judgment seat of God (“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” 2 Corinthians 5:10).    

    One should not have to be continually reminded of these foundational truths once one trusts in Jesus, having assurance of salvation in Christ (not a religion or religious system that one follows). Instead, these truths must be built upon, enabling one to handle the “strong meat” of the Word of God. It is then we are able to have our “senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

    When a Christian needs encouragement to grow in their Christian life, one need only turn to the pages of Scripture that is full of examples of those who chose to walk with God. “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12).

    Are you “dull of hearing”, or are you striving to grow to maturity by learning to handle the “strong meat” of God’s Word?

  • God Gives the Increase

    “So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
    1 Corinthians 3:7

    Paul, the Apostle, understood the importance of the message he was to deliver: Jesus, God’s Son, lived a perfect life, died on the cross paying for man’s sin, and rose again the third day. This was a message the world did not, and could not understand. It is a mystery to them. “7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8. Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-8). If the people in Jesus’ time had understood that Jesus had come to deliver them from sin, they never would have crucified Him. Paul wanted Believers to understand that their job was simply to preach this Gospel message, and God would reveal Himself to the individual.

    If God’s church would operate under this system, simply preaching and teaching Jesus, see what is promised. “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1 Corinthians 2:9). If God’s people (Christians) would simply present the Gospel message, God would reveal Himself; and Christians could never even imagine what He will do. Remember when Peter first preached Jesus on the day of Pentecost – three thousand were saved on that day (see Acts 2:41).  In addition, just a few days later, he preached again and five thousand were saved (see Acts 4:4). In every city Paul entered, he preached Jesus, and many people believed.

    Why did God want to reveal such mighty things to us? “12. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:12-14). Remember that once a person is saved (becomes a Christian) that they have a new nature (God’s Spirit). God gave His Spirit, “that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” God will then teach each Christian exactly how to live a life pleasing to Him (as one reads God’s Word, and listens to godly teaching). People, who do not know Jesus, do not understand why Christians want to go to church, or revival, or even read the Bible, as they learn how to live a Christian life – for “they are foolishness unto him.” Non-Christians cannot understand these things “because they are spiritually discerned.” Christians have a different nature.  

    Paul understood that the Believers in the church at Corinth had not grown in maturity in Christ as they should have, so he reprimanded them. “1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2. 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. 3. For ye are yet carnal…” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3). Because they had not yet learned how to live a Christian life, they were still “carnal” (carnal means “weakness; frailty; of persons being worldly”).

    Paul then explained to them the importance of different teachers and workers. “5. Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6. I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:5-7).  Some workers plant the seed (plant means “to be the first to preach the gospel in a place”), another may water (watered means “to water, irrigate; used metaphorically of instruction”), but only God gives the increase (gave the increase means “to grow, increase, or add something”). Only God saves people.

    “8. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour … 10. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. 11. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:8-11). Each Christian is supposed to plant and water – for we are all to tell others about Jesus. We are to be a “wise masterbuilder” – just like Paul was. Wise masterbuilder means “a skillful, expert workman or builder; an architect.” But most importantly, the foundation must be Jesus (foundation means “the elementary doctrine and instruction; fundamental doctrine or principle – which is Christ”). The Gospel message of Jesus must be taught first in order for anyone to be saved.

    Do you plant or water, sharing the Gospel message of Jesus to others?

    How to be Saved

  • Hunger and Thirst after Righteousness

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

    We live in a world where it isn’t very popular to hunger and thirst after righteousness.

    What does that even mean?

    Have you ever been hungry? Everyone understands the feeling of hunger, and the satisfaction of eating a good meal to satisfy that hunger.

    Have you ever been thirsty? There is nothing quite like a cool drink of water after working in the heat. It refreshes you to continue in that work.

    Just as our physical bodies desire food and drink to sustain life, so too does the spiritual body. Only it is very easy to ignore that spiritual need.

    What is this righteousness of which we are to hunger and thirst?

    Righteousness means “by implication innocent, holy; just, right; specifically (Christian) justification.” No one can be considered righteous on their own. See what the Bible teaches: “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). That verse is referring to Jesus who knew no sin. He became sin for me, taking my sin and the penalty of that sin from me. If I believe that, I am made righteous before God.

    It is here that I would like to point out a warning that is found in God’s Word. “3. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. 4. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:3-4). No one can do it on their own. Jesus is the only way anyone can stand before God as righteous. This shows us that we must put our faith and trust in Jesus to make us “innocent, just, or right” before God.

    But there is much more to it than that. After Jesus is in one’s heart, there is a continual hunger and thirst to become more like Him. “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). And as you grow in your Christian walk you should also grow in your appetite. “13. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14).

    Are you unskillful in your Christian walk, still needing the simple milk?

    Or are you of full age, able to enjoy the meat of God’s Word?

    Remember the verse with which we started: “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6).