“The Milk of the Word”, Part 1

“It is the explicit teaching of the Scriptures that the strengthening of the inner man is not something which is accomplished instantly, but rather gradually through the years as the heart responds obediently to the Divine Word of instruction and to the providence of the Lord. Not only so, but it is represented as a process in which there must be a working together with God in the building up of faith, hope, and love. It is recalled that one of the figures employed in the Scriptures to illustrate the life of faith and the process of gradual development is that of a new, born babe. Though many of the Lord’s people may be persons of mature years in the natural life, yet in the spiritual or life of faith they may be but babes. And as such the Apostle counsels them as new-born babes to earnestly desire and seek for the sincere milk of the Word-the primary simpler truths, the foundation teaching and doctrine.”

But while these newly formed ones in Christ, because of their very feebleness and inexperience have much special care bestowed upon them and are dearly beloved of the Lord, and while their meek and teachable spirit is commended to all, it is most certainly not the will of God that they should always remain babes forever.

The very object of His commending to them the milk of the Word is that they may grow thereby out of this infantile state up to the maturity of spiritual life-“That we be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine.” There should come a time in the experience of every healthy, growing child of God when he would be able to leave the first principles of the doctrines of Christ–the foundation doctrines-having them firmly fixed, established and settled in his mind, and therefore not needing to dig them up and, relay them over and over again, and so go on growing in spiritual strength, might and grace, and in the knowledge of the truth unto perfection.”

The Apostle Paul in Heb 5:12-14 reproved some in his day because they did not thus grow saying, (We’ll use the “New Living Translation”, here as it states the matter about as plainly as it can be said)

“You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basics (the first principles) about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food…

… For every one that uses milk [only] is unskillful in the Word of righteousness; for he is but a babe. But strong meat [solid food, the “deep things” of God’s Word] belongs to them that are of full age; even those who, by reason of use, have their senses exercised.”

The Lord’s people therefore are not to live continually on the milk diet, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. (“All scripture is given by inspiration of God… that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped…” 2 Tim 3:16, 17) Some of these words are the simple truths above noted, the milk; and others are deeper truths, the strong meat for those who, nourished by the pure milk, have grown and have developed considerable firmness and strength of Christian character. This stronger food says the Apostle is for adults — for those possessing faculties habitually exercised (through study and practicable application) in the discrimination of both good and evil, right and wrong, truth and error, those able to “rightly divide the Word of God”.”

(Extracts taken from The Herald of Christ’s Kingdom, Sept 1927, Page 32)

It is our hope in this blog to make some of these truths clear to the Lord’s people.

Part 2

Back to Index