We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14
Did you know that infants cannot eat honey? Their bodies are unable to digest and process a bacteria that is specific to honey called “Clostridium” until they are about one year old. As a mom, you probably know this common-knowledge fact. But I find it interesting that the Bible references baby believers and lukewarm Christ followers as those who need milk.
The book of Hebrews was written to the Israelites, the Hebrews. This passage was a direct confrontation against the people of Israel who were falling away from the faith, living lackluster lives, going through the motions with half empty hearts.
We are called to live fervent lives of faith, and sold out devotion to Jesus, our Lord and Savior. The mark of a person seeking to know and grow in Jesus is that they are reading the Bible on a consistent basis. Notice, I did not say every day. As moms, many of us are allotted to a shoestring budget of free time. Sometimes every day is not possible, and there is grace. But, if we are seeking Jesus when we can, putting God’s Word at the top of our to-do list, then we will be blessed with the living Word of God flowing throughout our lives.
The Apostle Paul addresses the church of Corinth with a similar set of verses:
Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
We are more than mere humans. We are emblems of the Spirit of the Living God, representations of the cross. We are to die to ourselves daily in order to live for Christ. Lay down your jealousy, quarreling, argumentative attitude, and unrighteous ways of living, speaking, and thinking. Lay them down at the foot of the cross. Ask the Lord to bestow upon you godly wisdom, upright thinking, and gentle ways of speaking.
Seek the Lord and his righteousness through the Word. Your children and husband will be blessed, and your heart will be edified tenfold.
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for the Word. Thank you that you are the Word! You are the Way and the Truth, living proof that my Redeemer lives. Help me to live life reflecting your goodness and light because of the fact that you came and died to save a wretch like me. May my life shine your amazing grace for my family to gain warmth and for the world to see. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
Steps of Faith:
Meditate on this verse, and consider what it means to seek God first:
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33