Concerning Babes in the faith.

Ephesians 4:14-16 King James Version (KJV)

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in Love.

Close observation in the reading of these Scriptures will bring to light the Biblical witness of "two or more" to confirm that it's God's direction. His Word is True in any rendering but when it brings the same thing up twice it's worth special note and observance.

Verse 14 starts out with "That we henceforth be no more children", a direct warning to "GROW UP", or what follows "will" take place! We "will" be "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine", ect. Mark this statement as a "strong" warning, grow up or be open to deception. it doesn't tie lack of study to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of reading to avoid this, it doesn't tie lack of memorization to avoid this, it ties "lack of maturity", being a babe too long, failing to "mature" in Christ, as being the "open door" to cunning craftiness and deception.

Verse 15 says: "But speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up into Him in all things."

No explanation needed here as the rendering is self explanatory but do note "grow up into Him in all things" means just that, in ALL things! Not just what we care to accept or deem valid for this time. Jesus stated that He (the Word) is our food and drink that needs to be partaken in for eternal life. It is a complete meal lacking nothing and nothing to be left out just because we don't care for it.

Paul warns us about being "babes" to long:

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

1. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as to 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.

Paul has to speak to the Corinthians as carnal not "spiritual" even like babes in Christ because they have not matured enough in the "faith" to ingest "meat". What are the criteria for this judgement?

3 For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

These are the signs of being a babe too long. Scripture cannot lie, if these exist in your personal life or in the church then you are malnourished babes needing an influx of "meat" from the Word. It's presented in Scripture that we are to have the faith like little children. That comes by hearing and that by the Word of God. Little children believe what they hear then want the next "hearing" (step) so they can grow, so it is no different then believers. If a child doesn't receive continued instruction they become bored, mischievous, doing and acting out what is not acceptable, so it is with the Christian. So for the Christian who stops the "maturing" process? Your church? Your denomination? Your pastor? Your Bible studies? Only to a degree is your nurturing a "village" effort as we are part of one body, many members. But mostly "YOU" decide from whence your table is set from. It is your responsibility to make sure that you are in a fellowship that is preaching "Truth that sets free" by witness of the Holy Scriptures that "YOU" have read! All Scripture is "spirit" and must be concurred by the Mind of Christ the Holy Spirit, and "MUST" have a "witness" in your spirit by the Holy Spirit to prove it's authenticity of rendering. So as you are "growing" in Christ, through becoming spiritually familiar with the written Word, your place of community will be preaching and teaching the witness of one or two proving the Word and directing "sound" growth in the faith. Again it is you who must "start" this "unveiling" of the Word, first between you and God by instruction through the Holy Spirit, then getting witness from your local church through participation in preaching and teaching.

It is a madness and a supreme wickedness when the "body" that is nourishing up a babe starves it from the rich nutrients of the "entire" Word. Denominational doctrine that "adds to or takes from" the Word of God for any reason, encourages special wrath presented in His Word. Whether vain or wild surmising on the part of the "local master" (teacher/preacher) that alters any simple forward projection of the Holy Word, for any "good" reason is still at best diabolical and damnable. If we "eat of the body and drink of the blood of Christ (His Word) asking the Holy Spirit to counsel us in it's spiritual meaning, He will be faithful to do so and we can be assured of our spiritual growth by His Divine Hand. 

We are living in a time of spiritual trouble, doubt, derision, doctrines of man, elimination of Scriptures, and fellowship divisions. Truly we are experiencing a time of "if a house be divided it cannot stand." As Jesus said: "you strain at a gnat and swallow a camel." If all Scripture is not True and valid for application today then none of it is True and valid for today! If one Word of God has been eliminated by passing time then none can be trusted to be enduring "until the end." To preach the Word of God but not bring it forth to application (being doers of the Word not just hearers), is the same as to not preach it at all. We must show our faith by our works. 

Those who are "babes" in Christ start desiring the "meat" of the Word so you can "grow" in Christ and faith. Avoid the pitfalls that come with being "content and lazy" by "prayer" and "engrafting" the Word. Those things you don't understand either "wait upon the Lord" or ask some mature trusted mentor. Keep your desires "in His time". There is a time for everything in His creation that includes knowledge and wisdom. Read His Word out loud as faith comes by hearing, and that of the Word of God. Seek God diligently, for those that do so shall receive His reward. 

Ultimately you are responsible for the "fare" on your table. You are what you eat. En-graft the Living Word, grow in Christ, walk by faith, Love one another fervently!

Love

J&E