Are you thirsty?

To be thirsty is to want a drink. To get that drink is to quench that thirst. In 1st Corinthians,  chapter 3, verses, 1, 2, and 3, we have the Apostle Paul addressing a group of believers as not being able to be fed with the meat of the word, but rather the milk of the word.

Verse 1…….And I, brethren could not speak unto you as spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in CHRIST.

Verse  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.

But wow !!! What about verse 3 !!! For here is the proof, the evidence , why Paul would get right in middle of a group of folk on his side and point a finger right to the very heart of their problem.

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

This particular dispute was addressed to those who were claiming to be followers of one who was Paul, and another who was Appollos.  No matter what brings on these divisions, envyings and strivings between Christians, these are the ever-present proofs of the immaturity of  a host of our precious brethren.

The way Paul applies the principles of  GODS WORD to this situation makes me think about the infant on milk who is barely able to take baby steps in his Christian walk. There is no doubt, that there are new Christians stepping forward every day, who can honestly be called, "babes in CHRIST ",  because they are. They have been Born Again, Saved. A new Creature in which all things become new.  They can only handle the milk of the WORD.

The Apostle Peter helps with clarification in 1st Peter, Chapter 2, verses 1 & 2.

Verse 1…….Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies and all evil speakings,

Verse  2…….As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that you may grow thereby:

Yes, there are those that Peter addresses that need to desire, or long for the  "sincere" milk of the word so that they can grow. But what about long time church members, long time church leaders, long time pastors, who continue to not show any evidence of being weaned from the milk of the word. 

These church leaders, pastors, long time church members are definitely not Walking as Mature Christians need to walk, as showing the Fruit of the Spirit. 

The fruit of the spirit as recorded in Galatians 5:22, is Love, Joy, Peace, Long-suffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance, against such there is no law.  Which means there are no bounds, no limits, no place in our lives where we do not have GODS providence to implement the SPIRITUAL man. 

Why not follow the teachings of Christ in forgiveness, 

Why not be a reflection of Gods Word, to  the world that is lost in sin.

Why be salt that has lost its qualities.

Why show evidence of the " blind leading the blind".  

Come to Jesus and He can Give Sight. 

Come to Jesus wanting to take necessary baby steps, learning to ask God for much needed wisdom. 

Be the peacemaker that we are called to be. 

However,  our Lord and Savior is quick and just to forgive, through the shedding of HIS Blood, and complete repentance on our part.

Advice from Paul to Timothy in 2 Timothy, Chapter 2 verse 15.  Study to show thyself approved unto GOD , a workman that needeth not be ashamed , rightly dividing the word of Truth.  Could we do better to Drink the Sincere Milk of the Word and Grow,  in the Grace and Knowledge of Jesus the CHRIST. 

May the Lord Bless as we obey.

Rev. Justin R. Lott, August 11, 2009