As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: I Pet 2:2
Greetings to everyone in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wrote my last article which was just a revisit of many of the new creation series and I hoped to get the series going. But, to be honest, I am finding it difficult to keep writing. My worldly commitments are increasing where it looks like I am losing my spiritual discipline with growing pressure due to family needs and my professional works. In short, I am turning weary and tired. But, I know my redeemer is alive and He is standing at the door. I know I will see Him with my own eyes. Job 19:25,27 And, I know very well, the spiritual life may take ups and downs as I wrote in one of my previous articles. Sometimes, it looks like it gets in a drained state for too long but I do remember the one who said "I am with you always even unto the end of ages" is faithful and sincere. Matthew 28:20 He sustains me. I never dare to say that I stand in my own. If I claim such a thing, I am prone to failure like Peter who told to Jesus that even if he had to die with Him, he will not denounce, only to fail eventually. The reason for his failure is he counted on his own strength when he made that statement. He thought he could claim witness to Jesus on his own mortal strength, but when the testing came it was more than what he can face. He failed. But, the same Peter, indeed gave his life for the Savior, not in his own strength but by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God. By Him, we are more than conquerors in everything. Romans 8:37 Things which are not possible for men are possible for God, for that nothing is impossible for God. Luke 18:27 Hallelujah.
So, instead of quoting Peter, I would like to quote Paul, who said "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12. It may look like that the enemy may be winning all posts, but be assured that the ultimate victory is ours through our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No matter what, we are destined to win. Our Lord knows it all. He is sovereign. All things are by Him, through Him and for Him. To Him be the glory for ever and ever. To every one reading this message, please keep me in your prayers. Our prayers are mighty. Our spiritual armors are mightier than of those of the powers of this world that they pull down the strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4
Coming to this chapter, we resumed the new creation series from last chapter. The core verse is 2 Cor 5:17, that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature and all old things had gone and everything became new. We also saw how Jesus told Nicodemus about the need for a person to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. John 3:1-10 Now, this is exactly going to be the same as such that of a birth of a new baby. Any unbeliever who puts his complete faith in Jesus and accepts Him as a Savior becomes a new person in Christ. But, he is equivalent to a new born baby and he needs to know the truth. Once he becomes the children of God, he automatically becomes the enemy of the powers of darkness. The spiritual battle begins. Now, we need to see how a baby grows to a child in order to understand how a new born Christian should grow up. When a baby is born, the first thing it needs is food. It cannot take anything. It only needs the mother's feeding for the first few days in order to receive the strength and grow thereby.
Exactly, that's what the Word of God does to a new born. The Word of God is the spiritual manna which builds, strengthens and enriches the soul. One should learn the basic teachings of the gospel, understand the power of the sin, temptation, our requirement and our support from the Word of God. He should attend a regular bible study from a church that preaches truth in a right way. It is good to listen to some of the popular preachers but my personal advice is to get into a proper fellowship in a Church or a prayer cell and start to learn. Before that, the new born Christian should take his spiritual life seriously and should be willing to spend time to know Jesus in person through the Word of God. Moreover, the bible reading and meditation should go along with the prayer life. If not, it will be like a seed planted on a land without water and die soon. Prayer is like a water to the seed which is the Word of God.
The newborn baby should be properly vaccinated regularly for diseases. Caution should be exercised on what vaccination the baby is given. A high powerful vaccination shouldn't be administered for a new born. We can only give what it takes. So, a new born person should have proper spiritual mentor for his spiritual growth and should learn about the truth and the armor of God. Ephesians 6:12-18. He should read the Word of God regularly but too much reading at initial stage is also not good as it will exhaust a new born. Too much feeding is obviously bad. Christian life is a marathon and not a sprint where one runs fast and then falls down. We need to properly pace our run to be victorious. Initially, all these things may not be possible but with sustained reading, meditation and prayer, it is possible.
The Old testament is definitely important to understand but the New Testament is a must. Old testament shows the various characters who won and lost their battles. God shadowed many things there which are yet to come. But, one cannot understand them quickly. Both OT and NT are like two sharp edges of the sword. But, we live in the period of New testament so one should learn how to run our day to day life based on the truths of new testament. But, one is considered spiritually mature when he is able to understand how Old testament serves as the shadow to the New testament. How the Old testament promises are fulfilled in New testament. If one has that level of understanding, he is considered mature. The author of Hebrews explains that the readers are like babes. He wonders they are still not grown. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." Hebrews 5:12,13. So, the growth according to the author of Hebrews is really get mastered in the scriptures to the level of connecting the OT and NT.
It is interesting to see where the author says this verse. He was just telling this when he quotes about Melchizedek and he sighs that the hearers are babes. He says this, "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.". Hebrews 5:10,11. So, the expectation of the author is the mature reader should be able to preach all these things by themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the author of Hebrews considers a believer or Christian is mature when he or she is able to understand the old testament figures or foreshadows with the association of Jesus Christ. An important point to note. He defines that such a person should be able to discern what is right and wrong and should be able to exercise the Truth of God in their day to day lives. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:14. Moreover, the author wants us to be mature instead of laying the same foundations again and again. Hebrews 6:1-3.
Even Paul writes the same thing when he addressed the church of Corinth in his first epistle. The church of Corinth didn't show enough maturity, they were fighting, there was adultery and fornication in church members, they were divided in groups and were not united for Christ. When Paul addressed he told, "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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" 1 Corinthians 3:2,3. Sounds like modern day churches? No wonder, Christendom is going like that. But, Lord knows His flock. So, what we understand from here? It is the wish of the Holy Spirit for us to grow. Think how an adult who doesn't have mental growth behaves. How difficult it would be for his parents? Would be terrible. That's how it will be for our Father as well when He sees us only drinking milk after so much of years living as a Christian. He expects us to grow. The advice is straightforward given in the title verse, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: I Pet 2:2. You may ask but after attending some level of maturity, how to grow further. Again the same verse applies, we can say, as children, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow again you can take the same verse to grow from child to adult, adult to matured man, etc. But, one difference is as you grow in the spiritual life, Holy Spirit helps you out at every stage. You will win more and more challenges. Remember the struggles will make you more stronger and make you more matured in Christian walk.
When the growth stops? or when the challenges stop? Only when we die or meet our Lord and that will be the time when our faith completes. Jesus is called the author and finisher of our faith. Heb 12:2. When we see Him, our faith completes because faith is not required any longer as it is written "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" Romans 8:24. Until then, we are supposed to run our race patiently. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" Hebrews 12:1,2. Until then, we need to grow in our every day life. As per our physical growth, we should grow in our spiritual aspects too. I remember a modern saying, "Even if we are on right track, we will get run over if we don't move." So, move on my dear brother and sister. Our Lord promised that He will help you when you are blocked. Cast your burden on the Lord, for He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22.
With this I complete this chapter. If Holy Spirit helps me with more points about growth, I will either update this one include in my subsequent posts. Pray for me so that I get the strength and motivation of the Holy Spirit and right time to carry on writing for Him. All glory, honor, praise, wisdom, dominion, power and strength to the one who was, who is and who is to come. Majesty to the lamb who sits upon the throne. Amen.
Greetings to everyone in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wrote my last article which was just a revisit of many of the new creation series and I hoped to get the series going. But, to be honest, I am finding it difficult to keep writing. My worldly commitments are increasing where it looks like I am losing my spiritual discipline with growing pressure due to family needs and my professional works. In short, I am turning weary and tired. But, I know my redeemer is alive and He is standing at the door. I know I will see Him with my own eyes. Job 19:25,27 And, I know very well, the spiritual life may take ups and downs as I wrote in one of my previous articles. Sometimes, it looks like it gets in a drained state for too long but I do remember the one who said "I am with you always even unto the end of ages" is faithful and sincere. Matthew 28:20 He sustains me. I never dare to say that I stand in my own. If I claim such a thing, I am prone to failure like Peter who told to Jesus that even if he had to die with Him, he will not denounce, only to fail eventually. The reason for his failure is he counted on his own strength when he made that statement. He thought he could claim witness to Jesus on his own mortal strength, but when the testing came it was more than what he can face. He failed. But, the same Peter, indeed gave his life for the Savior, not in his own strength but by the strength and power of the Holy Spirit. Praise God. By Him, we are more than conquerors in everything. Romans 8:37 Things which are not possible for men are possible for God, for that nothing is impossible for God. Luke 18:27 Hallelujah.
So, instead of quoting Peter, I would like to quote Paul, who said "for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day." 2 Timothy 1:12. It may look like that the enemy may be winning all posts, but be assured that the ultimate victory is ours through our loving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. No matter what, we are destined to win. Our Lord knows it all. He is sovereign. All things are by Him, through Him and for Him. To Him be the glory for ever and ever. To every one reading this message, please keep me in your prayers. Our prayers are mighty. Our spiritual armors are mightier than of those of the powers of this world that they pull down the strongholds. 2 Cor 10:4
Coming to this chapter, we resumed the new creation series from last chapter. The core verse is 2 Cor 5:17, that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature and all old things had gone and everything became new. We also saw how Jesus told Nicodemus about the need for a person to be born again to enter the kingdom of God. John 3:1-10 Now, this is exactly going to be the same as such that of a birth of a new baby. Any unbeliever who puts his complete faith in Jesus and accepts Him as a Savior becomes a new person in Christ. But, he is equivalent to a new born baby and he needs to know the truth. Once he becomes the children of God, he automatically becomes the enemy of the powers of darkness. The spiritual battle begins. Now, we need to see how a baby grows to a child in order to understand how a new born Christian should grow up. When a baby is born, the first thing it needs is food. It cannot take anything. It only needs the mother's feeding for the first few days in order to receive the strength and grow thereby.
Exactly, that's what the Word of God does to a new born. The Word of God is the spiritual manna which builds, strengthens and enriches the soul. One should learn the basic teachings of the gospel, understand the power of the sin, temptation, our requirement and our support from the Word of God. He should attend a regular bible study from a church that preaches truth in a right way. It is good to listen to some of the popular preachers but my personal advice is to get into a proper fellowship in a Church or a prayer cell and start to learn. Before that, the new born Christian should take his spiritual life seriously and should be willing to spend time to know Jesus in person through the Word of God. Moreover, the bible reading and meditation should go along with the prayer life. If not, it will be like a seed planted on a land without water and die soon. Prayer is like a water to the seed which is the Word of God.
The newborn baby should be properly vaccinated regularly for diseases. Caution should be exercised on what vaccination the baby is given. A high powerful vaccination shouldn't be administered for a new born. We can only give what it takes. So, a new born person should have proper spiritual mentor for his spiritual growth and should learn about the truth and the armor of God. Ephesians 6:12-18. He should read the Word of God regularly but too much reading at initial stage is also not good as it will exhaust a new born. Too much feeding is obviously bad. Christian life is a marathon and not a sprint where one runs fast and then falls down. We need to properly pace our run to be victorious. Initially, all these things may not be possible but with sustained reading, meditation and prayer, it is possible.
The Old testament is definitely important to understand but the New Testament is a must. Old testament shows the various characters who won and lost their battles. God shadowed many things there which are yet to come. But, one cannot understand them quickly. Both OT and NT are like two sharp edges of the sword. But, we live in the period of New testament so one should learn how to run our day to day life based on the truths of new testament. But, one is considered spiritually mature when he is able to understand how Old testament serves as the shadow to the New testament. How the Old testament promises are fulfilled in New testament. If one has that level of understanding, he is considered mature. The author of Hebrews explains that the readers are like babes. He wonders they are still not grown. "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe." Hebrews 5:12,13. So, the growth according to the author of Hebrews is really get mastered in the scriptures to the level of connecting the OT and NT.
It is interesting to see where the author says this verse. He was just telling this when he quotes about Melchizedek and he sighs that the hearers are babes. He says this, "Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchizedek. Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.". Hebrews 5:10,11. So, the expectation of the author is the mature reader should be able to preach all these things by themselves with the help of the Holy Spirit. In other words, the author of Hebrews considers a believer or Christian is mature when he or she is able to understand the old testament figures or foreshadows with the association of Jesus Christ. An important point to note. He defines that such a person should be able to discern what is right and wrong and should be able to exercise the Truth of God in their day to day lives. "But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Hebrews 5:14. Moreover, the author wants us to be mature instead of laying the same foundations again and again. Hebrews 6:1-3.
Even Paul writes the same thing when he addressed the church of Corinth in his first epistle. The church of Corinth didn't show enough maturity, they were fighting, there was adultery and fornication in church members, they were divided in groups and were not united for Christ. When Paul addressed he told, "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. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?" 1 Corinthians 3:2,3. Sounds like modern day churches? No wonder, Christendom is going like that. But, Lord knows His flock. So, what we understand from here? It is the wish of the Holy Spirit for us to grow. Think how an adult who doesn't have mental growth behaves. How difficult it would be for his parents? Would be terrible. That's how it will be for our Father as well when He sees us only drinking milk after so much of years living as a Christian. He expects us to grow. The advice is straightforward given in the title verse, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: I Pet 2:2. You may ask but after attending some level of maturity, how to grow further. Again the same verse applies, we can say, as children, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow again you can take the same verse to grow from child to adult, adult to matured man, etc. But, one difference is as you grow in the spiritual life, Holy Spirit helps you out at every stage. You will win more and more challenges. Remember the struggles will make you more stronger and make you more matured in Christian walk.
When the growth stops? or when the challenges stop? Only when we die or meet our Lord and that will be the time when our faith completes. Jesus is called the author and finisher of our faith. Heb 12:2. When we see Him, our faith completes because faith is not required any longer as it is written "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?" Romans 8:24. Until then, we are supposed to run our race patiently. "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;" Hebrews 12:1,2. Until then, we need to grow in our every day life. As per our physical growth, we should grow in our spiritual aspects too. I remember a modern saying, "Even if we are on right track, we will get run over if we don't move." So, move on my dear brother and sister. Our Lord promised that He will help you when you are blocked. Cast your burden on the Lord, for He will sustain you. Psalm 55:22.
With this I complete this chapter. If Holy Spirit helps me with more points about growth, I will either update this one include in my subsequent posts. Pray for me so that I get the strength and motivation of the Holy Spirit and right time to carry on writing for Him. All glory, honor, praise, wisdom, dominion, power and strength to the one who was, who is and who is to come. Majesty to the lamb who sits upon the throne. Amen.
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