I hope by now I am now being nourished by solid food and not still on milk.
Heb 5:14
But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law.
Our senses and faculties have to be trained???? You mean it is not automatic? I can understand that since there is so much deception in the world how can you know the truth from a lie. I can logically go on to say it is the applying of the Word of GOD through knowing and studying GOD's WORD that provides the ability to discern evil from good, right from wrong. The Word of GOD reveals the very motives of men's hearts. It should not surprise us then that we are able to discern men's hearts as well when the Word lives in us through constant application and study.
Heb 4:12
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.
A Christian full of the Word can read your mail ...LOL
As a young Christian I was blessed with a huge appetite for the Word of GOD. I remember being so hungry for the Word I would go into the mensroom at work just so I could get a few minutes of reading time in the Bible .
All babies have a huge appetite for milk no matter if you are a baby in Christ or a baby human or otherwise. in fact if a baby does not crave milk continuously he would need medical attention.
1 Pet 2:2
Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto [completed] salvation,
I hope you noticed that reading the Word is necessary for completed salvation. In fact if you never really craved the Bible chances are you may not even be saved you may not be born again.
1 Pet 1:23
for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God.
James 1:21
Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls.
Going to church and listening to the Word once a week is like a baby drinking milk once a week . The chances of a new born baby surviving an entire week without milk is very very remote. That baby will die if it does not receive nourishment. And likewise a newly born again child of GOD can not survive either without being nourished through a constant intake of the Word of GOD.
Trust me saying the so called sinners prayer in an emotional moment just will not do it.
I remember going to a particular church and participating in a men's bible study class. The minister asked me where had I attended Seminary, because of my knowledge of the Word.
I said, well sir I never attended seminary I just read the Bible.
I do not know if the structure of Today's church is really what GOD intended. I do not see a lot of fellowship during a service. We do have the occasional every go around hug everybody and tell them you love them.....LOL... Are we really supposed to just go sit down listen to the choir listen to the Pastor and just go home until next week????
Acts 2:46
Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart
Day by Day continuing...and sounds like they enjoyed it..NOT forced ...Wow, ok I guess that's another topic for another time. .
OK BACK TO THE CURRENT SUBJECT...LOL
If you are an avid Bible reader that not only reads but reads with understanding and comprehension there is a price to pay. Because the Bible is Holy and the Word operates supernaturally in our lives, reading the Bible causes reaction in the Spirit World.
What kind of reactions????
Matt 13:21
Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away.
On account of the Word you will face affliction
Defined as :
a state of great suffering and distress due to adversity
a condition of suffering or distress due to ill health
On account of the Word you will face trouble:
Defined as;
an event causing distress or pain; "what is the trouble?"; "heart trouble"
a source of difficulty;
On account of the Word you will face persecution.
Defined as
abuse, ill-treatment, ill-usage, maltreatment - cruel or inhumane treatment; "
ummmmhummmmmm seems like to me those who do grow into completed salvation have to endure quite a journey. Seems to me living right for Jesus may cause all types of misfortune.
So if you are suffering it may be because you are doing everything RIGHT.
2 Cor 12:9
And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
2 Cor 12:10
Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Mark 13:13
And you will be hated and detested by everybody for My name's sake, but he who patiently perseveres and endures to the end will be saved (made a partaker of the salvation by Christ, and delivered from spiritual death).
One comment I have heard numerous times is something like this...ahhhhhh yeah you know the Word but do you DO the Word. LOL.., listen if you are not a doer of the Word our LORD will not continue the teach you HIS World. That is why we see so many immature Christians still on milk , why because they have yet to do the things they already KNOW to do.
Heb 5:12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food.
The Lord Jesus said my food is to DO the will of MY Father. Yes real nourishment is not in simply the knowing but more importantly after you know what to do then you also do the Word of GOD.
John 4:34
Jesus *said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work
After you grow up in GOD and have reached a place of maturity in Christ you can then be used of GOD to accomplish HIS work. We are NOT to be stagnant if we are , then we suffer from spiritual malnutrition.
John 6:27
"Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal."
Being a saint is a blessed journey and it gets increasingly more exciting as we grow into our full maturity in HIM. I pray we all seek grave after and passionately perform His will in word and deed.... To God Be the Glory!!!!!
Eph 4:14
As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming;
Eph 4:15
but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,
Eph 4:16
from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by what every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.
