How do we grow out of the milk? (Point 1)

How do we grow out of the milk? (Point 1)

Many would not like what I am going to say, but it is a fact that most believers today never grow to spiritual maturity, but instead remain babes in Christ? I can point the finger to myself as I was one for many years. So, what makes a believer a babe in Christ? What qualities does this type of believer show? Well, Paul answers this quite clearly when he addresses the Corinthians. After speaking about the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory, in 1Cor.2, Paul then writes,

1Cor 3:1-4  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: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?  [4]  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The standout quality of a babe in Christ is carnality, which is opposite to a mature believer who walks by faith and after the spirit, according to the grace doctrine in Paul’s epistles. Carnal believers do not stand upon the Word of God but are controlled by their 5-senses, by their emotions, by visible things, and beguiled by ignorance and inexperience in the grace doctrine. This is why they are so unstable in their faith, being tossed to and fro by fables, by different doctrines, and by opinions, and why they are up and down like a rollercoaster in the various issues of life.

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat

If I was referring to a secular curriculum regarding mathematics, or computer programming, or any other trade or discipline, the word “milk” would refer to the basics, or introductory topics, and “meat” would logically be the more advanced levels of the curriculum. Now, though we can apply the same milk and meat logic to our biblical curriculum of Romans to 2-Thessalonians, we must also understand that the bible defines milk and meat as much more than just basics to advanced concepts. Scripture provides us with a much deeper understanding concerning the believer who is living on milk versus the believer that appreciates the meat. Let’s dive in and learn what the bible says about these things.

MILK:

1Cor.3:1-3  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: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

Heb.5:13  For every one that useth MILK is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

There is a lot packed into these two verses above. The first of which is: did you notice that the verses do not target the progression of the topic (as a secular curriculum would do), but rather, it targets the progress of the spiritual maturity of believers who receive the curriculum. That, my friends, is a significant difference, highlighting a different context for assessment or judgement. This curriculum is not man-made. It is a doctrine by inspiration of God. Let’s remember that!

In preparation for the overview of the 9-church epistles

In preparation for the overview of the 9-church epistles

INTRODUCTION:

In his epistles, Paul uses a few analogies that indicate progression. Consider, milk and meat. Also consider babes, to children, to sons. How about from carnal to spiritual, from the outer man to the inner man and from the natural to the spiritual. All these examples can be applied to the 9-church epistles which make up the curriculum for the grace believer. Using these analogies helps to clarify the fact that the curriculum is indeed progressive and importantly, it should be recognised, studied, and understood in this manner to.

In this post, I’d like to draw your attention to this progressive concept by working through an overview of the 9-epistles, and assigning these analogical classifications to them, so you can identify the primary theme of the epistles and start to understand their position within the curriculum.

Before we get into the epistles however, it is necessary to define some terms that are used within the epistle comparisons. Please take note of these terms and consider them when working through the rest of this post.

Epistle Format

• Doctrine: The set of principles or teachings laid out in Paul’s letters that we are to know and obey (not by our own power, but by the Spirit working within us).
• Reproof: Identifying and expressing disapproval or criticism of a mistake or fault.
• Correction: Providing guidance or actions to rectifying or improving a mistake or fault.
• Instruction: Providing knowledge, information, or direction to help someone learn and grow.

Explain how the doctrine taught by Paul is different to that taught by Peter?

Explain how the doctrine taught by Paul is different to that taught by Peter?

QUESTION:

I don’t see how the doctrine Paul taught differed from Peter (as an example) except Paul preached to the Gentiles and Peter to the Jews (who knew the Torah). If you are claiming the doctrine that Paul taught supersedes or is the only way to “get off the milk” of a new believer, which verses would you specifically point to and why?

ANSWER:

The answer is too extensive to write in one reply as it concerns the whole of Paul’s revelation of the risen and glorified Christ, however, I can provide a few thought-provoking scriptures that you can read and consider.

You have two statements I can respond to (in very short summation),

1. I don’t see how the doctrine Paul taught differed from Peter (as an example) except Paul preached to the Gentile and Peter to the Jew (who knew the Torah).

DM#23: Be ye followers of me

Doctrine of the Mysteries #23

Be ye followers of me

1Co 1:11-12  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.  (12)  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

There are two points to extract from verse 12. The first is a truth that babes in Christ will incline to outward attractions over spiritual truth. The second is a yearning that people would choose to follow Paul, or more accurately, Paul’s doctrine, than that of Apollos, or Cephas (Peter), or the earthly ministry of Christ. Let me elaborate on both points.

Paul's Gentile Curriculum Explained (Romans to Galatians - The Milk)

Paul's Gentile Curriculum Explained (Romans to Galatians - The Milk)

Recently, I was asked by a friend to elaborate on Paul's 9-church epistles as a spiritual curriculum for the grace believer. I ended up making a video of it; at least the Romans to Galatians part. The rest to follow in subsequent videos. This post is just to advertise the video series and provide you with some encouragement to get back into the Word.

Not many people know this, but the 9-church letters of Paul (Rom. to Thess.) can be seen as a study curriculum for the grace believer. The curriculum guides the believer through a process of growth in Christ, renewing the mind and becoming educated on spiritual things. Although one can read any of Paul's letters, it is highly recommended to study the letters in the given order as provided in the Bible.

This video explains the first part of the curriculum (Rom. to Gal.) and details the validity and importance of it.

If you enjoyed the video, please share it with others too. TX

CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 2)

As grace believers, what is our primary objective? (Part 2)

Start this series of posts with: Part 1

In the first part of this series, I motivated the fact that the single most important thing to do, after getting saved, is to spend time in the Word of God and gain the knowledge of the Word rightly divided. In upcoming parts, I will also deal with points instructing why this is important, what happens when we do, and God’s will and purpose for us in doing this.

In this post I want to focus on what is milk and what is meat. As previously mentioned, a babe in Christ cannot be fed meat. So, it becomes really important to know what milk is in the Word, and where we will find the solid food. In this regard, we will find that God’s Word is so perfectly designed. As with the nine Hebrew epistles, Hebrews to Revelation, Paul’s nine church epistles to the Gentiles are also arranged in a form of curriculum, starting with Romans to 2-Thessalonians. It shouldn’t be surprising to note that these Gentile letters, for us in this dispensation of grace, start with a letter called Romans and the Jewish letters, for the Jewish believers in the tribulation, start with a letter called Hebrews. God could not have made this distinction clearer.