More Than Milk
Paul wrote to the Corinthians that when he was a child he thought and acted like a child, but then he grew up and put away childish things. (I Cor. 13.11) Now that seems like a no brainer, but, to this great apostle, many people just don’t get it. They think that just because they have been a Christian for many years or have been faithful to attend church services all their life, they are mature. Time goes on, but instead of growing spiritually, they maintain their infant mannerisms and attitudes. The writer to the Hebrews lamented that the church was not as mature as they thought they were. Instead of being able to handle solid food, they still needed a diet of milk. He encouraged them to grow up spiritually. (Heb. 5.11-14)
Milk is for the immature, yet it is necessary when one is a child to receive the calcium needed to strengthen the bones. This can be compared to the forming of a foundation from which to build on. Without a good foundation the house will not stand. In Hebrews, chapter 6, there are noted six doctrines of Christ that serve as the foundation on which the believer’s life is built. Without these, one cannot go on to maturity. They are: Repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms, laying on of hands, eternal judgment and the resurrection of the dead. One does not lay this foundation by learning about these truths. They are to be woven into the fabric of one’s character. Maturity is determined by the application of truth, rather than the knowledge of truth.
Immaturity is basically selfishness. A child’s life is centered on himself. It is all about eating, sleeping and being constantly cared for by an adult. When any of these are lacking, all those around hear about it. Have you ever tried to take a toy from a child? Even a baby holds on tight to its pacifier. Without supervision, a room full of toddlers becomes a war zone, where each is trying to take what the other one has. Spiritual immaturity is very much the same. It is when God and other believers serve to satisfy one’s own desires. It is when one’s prayers are “give me”, “I need”, “help me” and “I want”. As a child, one acts as a child, but a foundation must be laid so that one can grow up.
Looking again at these foundation doctrines, one can say that: Repentance is the turning away from selfishness, faith focusses on God alone, baptism is our death to self and new life in Christ, the laying on of hands is sharing with others what you have, eternal judgement speaks of the consequences of our actions and resurrection of the dead is the glorious victory we have over sin and death. In short, to grow up spiritually is to embrace the cross, (death to self), and to live in Christ. This doesn’t mean that one’s own personal needs and desires are not important to God, but that they don’t become one’s focus. A mature believer prays: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” It is the submitting of one’s ways to the Lord; desiring to be conformed to the Lord’s image and purpose.
Shortly after the day of Pentecost, as Peter and John were entering the Temple to pray, they saw a lame man begging at the gate. Peter turned to him and said: “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, raise up and walk.” (Acts 3.6) He took him by the hand and raised him up. This man was helped up out a milk diet to a new life of joy and usefulness.
Scriptures to meditate on:
Heb. 5.11-14; 6.1-2; Eph. 4.15-16; Col. 2.19; I Cor. 13.11