Where Do We Stand?

“For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food.” Hebrews 5:12.

These are censorious words that illuminate a condition which re­vealed that the time had not been used according to God’s will. These words were written to holy brethren (ch. 3:1), brethren who, by God’s grace, had become partakers of a heavenly calling and who, accord­ing to God’s reasonable expectation, should have been firm and im­movable in the faith, able to teach others. 2 Timothy 2:2. However, they had to be taught the first principles of the word of God again. They were like children and could not bear to be fed anything but milk. This reprimand is very serious, considering the opportunities they had and the labor that had been spent on them.

When you enter a home it is natural to see a baby with a rattle, but there is something wrong when you come again after ten years and see the same child with a rattle. This is also how it is in the spiri­tual sense with every one who only receives milk. One has sunk from the calling of which one was apprehended and has come down to a human and natural level. In Jude, verse 6, we read about certain an­gels who had not kept their proper domain. If a person fails to gain the victory in his daily fight of faith, the devil will come and devour the life that should have been found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:7.

First the natural, then the spiritual. 1 Corinthians 15:46. A new­born child receives milk; afterwards, he receives solid food. A new convert must first receive milk, then manna, and then hidden manna. Revelation 2:17. If a person wants nothing but milk, he will never re­ceive solid food; consequently he will not have spiritual understand­ing. Such people remain children, ignorant of the word of righteous­ness. Someone who has to enforce righteousness has to be competent to do it.

Someone can say, “I am among the friends.” This is true enough, but to which group of friends do you belong? “For there must also be factions among you, that those who are genuine may be manifest among you.” 1 Corinthians 11:19.

This exhortation must be taken seriously: according to the time we should be teachers, able to eat solid food. We must translate this word into reality, because we will be justified by our words, and by our words we will be condemned. Matthew 12:37. Everyone has to examine himself on this point. Solid food causes us to become spiri­tual. We become like Mount Zion which stands forever. Then we have food in our house for ourselves and for all those who hunger.

May God help us to examine ourselves so we can see where we stand. Let us always be in the midst of the church where we can re­ceive solid food; where we become more and more established and immovable.