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!

That the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable

That the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable

In Romans 15:16 Paul says that I should be THE minister of Jesus Christ to you Gentiles. Are we Gentiles? Yes. Then who's the minister of Jesus Christ to us? Paul. You've got 13-epistles in your Bible written by that man who said he was the apostle of Jesus Christ to us. Not a minister, THE minister. The definite, defined minister of Jesus Christ to us Gentiles.

What did Paul minister to us? He ministered the gospel of God. Why? So that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Do you know what Paul's saying here? His ministry, those 13-epistles that he ministered to us by the spirit of God, are to be written in our hearts by the spirit of God. What's the purpose of that ministry? It is so that when you're offered up to God for his will and purpose, you'll be acceptable. It's sanctifying you; it's cleansing you.

Remember what Paul said in Ephesians 5? That Christ gave himself for the church, that he might sanctify and cleanse it by the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church. And Paul, as a minister of Jesus Christ, was ministering the gospel of God so that the offering up of the Gentiles for the will and purpose of God might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Paul's ministry is getting us ready for the purpose for which God called us out. And guess what. It is not just to be saved by the gospel. Paul didn't write 13-epistles about forgiveness of sins, and he didn't write 13-epistles just to tell us about justification. There is a lot more to the Christian life than just being saved.

The content of his 13-epistles is a curriculum that when we study it progressively, and in order, from Romans to Philemon, it will establish us, grow us up, and form Christ within us. It will impart knowledge and understanding that will do a work of faith within us that we might be transformed by it and learn to prove the good, the acceptable, and the perfect will of God. It will bring us to sons, who are influenced by the doctrine and who are led by love and faithfulness as we patiently wait in hope of Christ's return. This doctrine is preparing us for the vocation in the ages to come. This was Paul's calling as the minister to the Gentiles, and this is our responsibility, to learn the doctrine, Paul's 13-epistles, and let it transform us and prepare us for what God has called us as the Body of Christ to fulfill.

Adapted from this video by Paul Lucas.

Yield versus Obey

Yield versus Obey

The other day I was reading Romans 6 and the words “yield” and “obey” caught my attention. Before I pulled up an online dictionary to look up the word definitions, (which if you are interested, I add at the end of this article*), I got to thinking what the words were telling me. Let’s first look at the passage and then I’ll elaborate.

Rom.6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?  [17]  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

I looked at that statement, “to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey”, and the word “yield” just bounced off the screen. I got to thinking that so many people see the bible as a book of rules to obey, but Paul here was using the word “yield”, not “obey”. As I continued to think about these two words, my mind veered to the two corresponding road signs and what they meant. If I drove a car and approached a yield sign, it was informing me that I should slow down and carefully observe my surroundings and then continue if all was safe and clear. It did not matter if I slowed down or stopped, but what mattered was if it was safe to continue. On the other hand, if I approach a stop sign, I must stop, even if everything is clear around me. There is a law connected to the stop sign whereas a yield sign allows me to use my own discretion. If I’m cautious but don’t stop at a yield sign, I don’t break the law, but if I don’t stop at a stop sign, I’m breaking the law, and I can be fined or incarcerated.

Preaching Christ: The Heart of the Matter

Preaching Christ: The Heart of the Matter

In Philippians 1:14-18, we find Paul reflecting on his imprisonment and its unexpected effects on the spread of the gospel. His captivity has emboldened others to preach with greater courage, but Paul notices that not everyone does so with pure intentions. Some preach out of envy and rivalry, while others preach out of goodwill and love. Despite the mixed motives, Paul’s remarkable conclusion is that what truly matters is that Christ is preached.

Reflecting on this, Paul asks, "What then?" How should it affect my feelings when others preach from envy or rivalry? His answer is profound: regardless of their motives—whether in pretense or truth—the key point is that Christ is being proclaimed.

"Pretense" means hiding one’s true motives and giving others a false impression. It involves trying to cover up true intentions, often for personal gain. Paul did not support this kind of deception, but he did support spreading the message of Christ. For him, the core message—that Jesus Christ is the Saviour—and saving souls was more important than any competition or rivalry.

This serves as a powerful reminder that the proclamation of Christ, regardless of the manner, possesses the potential to impact and transform lives. Although it is preferable for preachers to be well-educated and sincere in their motives, any form of announcing the Saviour is preferable to silence.

Paul's kindness and understanding of this matter offers a few important lessons for us to consider. For example, if others are more popular or successful, we should celebrate their success because it means Christ is being preached. When other ministers preach, even if we see errors in their messages, yet the grace gospel is proclaimed, we can still find joy in the fact that Christ is magnified. When we can't preach because of other commitments, we should rejoice that others are able to share the message of Christ. No matter what the circumstance, what the intentions, or who is preaching, if it is proclaiming the free gift of justification through the cross and resurrection of Christ, we should rejoice in their contributions to God's work and to the furtherance of our blessed grace gospel.

In a world where so many things can hinder and affect the spread of the gospel, let us look at things the way Paul did. Let us celebrate the shared goal of making Christ known to all.

He who delights in the Word of the Lord shall be blessed in all of his ways

He who delights in the Word of the Lord shall be blessed in all of his ways

Paul's 9-church epistles make up our grace curriculum which lays a foundation and then increases the grace believer, who commits to studying the curriculum, in knowledge, in spiritual growth, and in faith. I have been studying and writing a lot of material concerning this topic for bible study messages, for blog posts, and for YouTube videos, but the other day I came across this Maranatha song that inspired me tremendously in my labour in the word of God. This post is simply to share this song with you. 

Take a moment of time to get quiet and let this song just utterly bless your socks off. The words are so perfect for what I am studying, and I hope it will bless you as much as it did me.

God bless.

Click the link below for the song on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNYvKtEziuI