Solid Food
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I remember a near fatal incident that happened in my home somewhere in 2011. We had parked our old 1996 Honda civic, with a manual transmission, in the compound of the multi-family shared residence we were living in. We had parked it “in gear” because the compound sloped towards our porch, and the handbrake needed some adjustment.
Our six-year old son, having seen us spark the car several times, also decided to spark it; and drove it straight into the concrete railings of our porch, damaging both the car and the railings! We were glad no one was around the car at the time.
Often, children want to do the things adults do, without having the needed capacity. It always leads to disaster. The same applies to the body of believers, but often, we take it for granted. In this era of the independent church movement, I have often heard stories of pastors under training who rebel and move away to set up their “own” churches. The end story is often not pleasant; it often ends in failure and disappointment.
Just as our six-year old saw us driving and thought it was easy, and also attempted to drive without the necessary training and skill; so do some believers think they can do what other, more matured believers do, without investing in the growth, training and skill they have. They also inevitably crash! Often they justify their actions by grace and faith! Grace? Maybe, because it is unmerited. But faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God! I can say your faith is directly proportional to your growth and maturity in Christ. There is no shortcut to it. You cannot buy your way out!
The writer(s) of Hebrews might have been frustrated by the lack of this understanding when they wrote Hebrews 5:11-14, which is entitled, “A Call To Spiritual Growth” in the New Living Translation Bible. Let us see what it says.
READ Hebrews 5: 11-14
There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.
You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.
You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.
Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
(Hebrews 5:11-14 NLT)
The “New Birth” has growth inherent in its very name. Every baby that is born is expected to grow. Parents often get worried when their children are not crawling at a certain age, standing at a certain age, talking at a certain age, feeding by themselves at a certain age, and walking at a certain age. They move from doctor to doctor to ascertain what is wrong with their child, because every child is expected to grow.
New Born believers are equally expected to grow, with the stature of Christ as the ultimate growth target. If we have not achieved the stature of Christ, we cannot say we are full grown.
The only way this growth comes is through the word of God. I have heard a preacher say,
“If I am compelled to choose between someone who prays, and someone who studies the word of God, I will choose the one who studies the word of God.”
I agree with him. We need to study the word of God and pray, but if compelled to choose, the word of God comes first. The word of God impacts both your growth and your prayer tremendously. It is so important that, Peter, in his first letter to the believers scattered around the then known world wrote:
“Like newborn babies [you should] long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may be nurtured and grow in respect to salvation, [its ultimate fulfillment].”
(1 PETER 2:2 Amplified Bible)
It was therefore in frustration that the writer(s) of Hebrews wrote:
“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.”
(Hebrews 5:12-14)
May this not be heard of us. May we, by training and skill in the word of God, become mature and be able to teach others also.
MEMORY VERSE
Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
(Hebrews 5:14)
QUESTIONS
- When did you become born again, and how has been your growth through God’s word?
- Do you know we never stop growing in Christ, meaning we never stop studying His word?
PRAYER TIP
Father, please help us to grow in the knowledge of You and Your promises.
URGENT CALL
Every soul is valuable to God, far more than the entire world! But by nature, we are all sinful, and alienated from God, and we ultimately face his wrath!
God in His mercy and love made a way for us to remedy this. He gives us a chance to reverse this downward spiral to destruction, join His family, be part of His household, and become His children.
The first step to becoming a member of God’s household is for us to be saved.
Salvation comes through accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Personal Savior.
It is a very personal decision. No one can make that decision for you.
If you make that decision today, there will be great singing and rejoicing in heaven; because one new member has joined the family and household of God! A soul, much, much more valuable than the world, has been saved from destruction!
Do you want to make that decision today?
Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance if you want to make that decision.
We will be happy to hear from you through the contact information on that page, or the ones at the top of this page. Don’t delay. Make this very personal decision today!
God richly bless you
SPECIAL GRATITUDE
Thank you for visiting the Testimony Devotional Website.
We would not have gotten here without your prayers, goodwill and overall support. We are grateful, and humbled.
We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission; and we thank you for sticking with us through this journey.
God richly bless you.
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