How Old Are You?

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.


Some people resent being asked their age, especially women, they will feel shy to tell their age. But, their attitude should be like this: God has let them live all these years, and they should thank Him. They should not mind telling their age at all. But, that's not what this devotional is all  about. 


When we are saved, we are considered 'baby Christians'. We have just begun our journey on the path of righteousness. We begin reading the Word, study every day to get the Word within us. As we study, we should be 'growing' in the Lord. The TRUE Word will help us grow, as long as we continue to study.


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.


When we were children in Sunday School, we learned the story of David and the giant, of Jonah in the belly of the whale, of Noah and the ark, and on and on.  These things stuck with us. And, as we grew older, and gave our heart to the Lord, we had a need to learn more of His Word. We studied the Bible, hopefully memorizing them for future use. When the enemy came to call, we were armed with God's Word, and he wasn't able to touch us.


There are those that stayed 'baby Christians', because they learned the ten commandments and thought it ended there. Instead of studying the Word for themselves and 'growing up', and getting to the 'meat of the Word', they just sat under the teaching of others - never letting the Holy Spirit teach them.  Proverbs 4:23 tells us to 'keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life'.
Study the Word; become an effective Christian - one that produces fruit
Ignore the Word; become a 'stagnant' Christian - no fruit is produced


If you are growing up in the Lord, it will show in your actions, in your speech, and in your worship. One that doesn't know the Word, can't act on the Word. And to have faith that God's Word works, you have to know His Word, and the promises He has given us as heirs to the Kingdom. We can live on milk, but we will never be strong as we would when we are able to 'eat the meat' of the Word.


What's your age? Have you grown up and eating 'meat', or have you remained a 'babe' and not  weaned from the milk?