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.
1 Corinthians 3:2
Milk and meat—Paul uses these two food groups to describe different levels of Biblical learning: milk represents the baby steps and meat, the larger lessons which require bigger leaps of faith.
So, what are the milk steps of faith? Well, obviously, the Christian life begins with the step of salvation, and although it is the first step, it is by no means a small one! Salvation takes a giant leap away from the world and puts the believer into a whole new world—God’s world! Yes, this is my Father’s world, but the world system is certainly the devil’s domain! Salvation puts us on a lifelong path with our Savior, Jesus Christ. But what are the other baby milk steps? So glad you asked!
Baptism is the next milk-step, and it isn’t for babies! 🙂 Baptism is a beautiful picture of salvation. When a pastor meets a person of faith in the waters of baptism, that person stands before the congregation demonstrating what Christ did for him on the cross: Jesus died, was buried, and then arose from the dead, hence the need of water!
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:
that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father,
even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
Does a person need to be baptized in order to go to heaven? I hope not, or Jesus lied to the thief on the cross! You don’t have to be baptized for salvation, just for obedience! … it’s God’s way, and His way is always best.
Church membership—it’s not a man-made invention; it is God’s plan as well. Today, the trend is to throw out traditional “organized religion,” and I can understand why as I listen to some of the stories of what goes on in some churches. However, as the old saying goes: You don’t throw out the basket of apples because of a few rotten ones! Why be a member of a local, Bible-preaching church? There are lots of reasons: commitment, fellowship, accountability, obedience, but most of all—the love of Jesus Christ.
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is;
but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
Hebrews 10:25
Why would believers want to yoke up with God’s children? Well, they aren’t perfect, but as another saying goes: If you ever find a perfect church, don’t join it or it won’t be perfect anymore! You don’t have to join a church … but it’s God’s way, and His way is always best.
“Read your Bible, pray every day, and you’ll grow, grow, grow!” Milk. Reading God’s Word is milk. Talking to God in prayer is milk. They are both basic building blocks to having a successful Christian walk. So often we try EVERYTHING under the sun to get close to God or to get answers to our problems except the one thing that really works: READ your Bible!!! Get your two best friends—a pen and paper—and dig in to the Bible! Oh, it’s good stuff! It’s the stuff heroes are made of. And talking to God should be as natural as breathing. The other day, I was putting away dishes and I almost dropped a glass. The first words from my mouth were, “Thank you, God.” Does He guide my hands even when drying dishes? Well, if He sees the sparrow fall, I’d say, “Yes,” and “Praise the Lord!”
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing?
and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. Matthew 10:29
You don’t have to read your Bible or pray … but it’s God’s way of communicating with you, and His way is always best.
Don’t forget the milk. Heaven forbid that a Christian be lactose intolerant!!! A baby Christian is never born that way, but week after week of neglecting the milk can create this horrific situation! Obedience … you don’t have to be obedient, but it’s God’s way, and His way is always best!
Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,
as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.
1 Samuel 15:22
Beyond Common Sense 