When we enter this world, we respond to the things of the world with our five senses. These five receptors are sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. Basically, the parents are the first interaction the infant has to learn what responds to their senses. The world will try to influence the senses with the hope that the child will eventually create a carnal (worldly) mind that will complement the world’s standards. There is a parallel experience that faces the same criteria as physical birth, and that is a spiritual rebirth, or what the Scriptures call being Born Again. The senses are influenced, but this time through the Word of God. The “newborn” is influenced by Biblical principles. The eyes of those who experience new birth will develop into a 39/27 vision (39 Old Testament books and 27 New Testament books and letters), which is seeing the world through God’s perspective.
This new life is like the physical birth in that it is progressive. The big difference is a new word and action called FAITH. It steps beyond the realm of senses. If a natural baby is not developing at a normal rate, intervention is involved by way of the medical profession. In the spiritual birth, if normal life is hindered, the cause will be identified and acted upon. According to the Scriptures, when the new Christian has not progressed beyond a certain growth pattern, his growth will be severely limited. The book of Hebrews urges those still only on milk to move beyond spiritual cereal and to eat at the banquet table of assorted Truths. (See Heb. 5:12-13) Too many organized churches offer a daily diet of “dairy” products. Instead of helping people grow in the faith, they are more concerned with keeping people in a status quo setting. As milk soothes the natural baby and offers contentment and a good night’s sleep, the spiritual baby wants something that will not only keep them awake, but will build up their energy level to show and share the Gospel.
When spiritual growth is compromised, the undernourished will experience a resurgence of their carnal mind. Temptations become more and more enticing. When feelings overtake Faith, it becomes more difficult to pick up the Bible and pray. The Scriptures tell us that after a certain time we should be teachers of the Word, but because of Scriptural malnutrition, we need to restart our spiritual journey. (Hebrews 5:12) The Christian journey is not a game but a serious lifestyle. There is a consequence of taking God’s invitation lightly. Too many Christians think once they have been SAVED, all they have to do is wait for the final heartbeat and then they will be with the Lord forever. That is not what the Scriptures teach. As long as we are satisfied with the milk, we will be unable to truly understand and experience the Kingdom of God. The buffet table of God’s Word is waiting to be experienced!