We’ve all experienced it in our lives where we need to learn more on a subject, be it how to work a new remote control, a new recipe, there are times when we need to start with the basics and work up from there. Being a Christian is similar in that we can’t just take it all in at once. Especially a new convert who may be filled with enthusiasm for learning more about the Bible may want to take on more information than they can process, and miss much of the foundations needed for truly learning with understanding. There must be a point where we start to learn, and build from there.
To enter the kingdom of heaven Jesus tells us that, we must become like little children (Matthew 18:3), but as a child, we thought like children, reasoned like children, and when we grow up, we put away childish ways (1 Corinthians 13:11). We must understand that there is a process involved. Children are truly wonderful gifts, and adults can learn a lot from the “wisdom” of a child. Bill Cosby capitalized on this idea with a television show based on his conversations with children. The innocence and the uninhibited honesty put on exhibit through leading questions from Mr. Cosby created a show filled with laughter.
A state having been unmolested by the world is a place we all should start or start over. Sometimes we find an aspect of ourselves in a position where the world has gotten into us. Some things may have been an aspect of our personality for our entire lives! To approach the trait with uninhibited honesty with ourselves and with God and realizing the state of innocence, which has been lost, is a humbling thing.
Let’s “put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good” (1 Peter 2:1-3).
Come back to the Lord as babes, realizing we need his assurance, comfort, and guidance. Come back to Him as “a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God, chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).
Eventually, by building oneself up, and being built up with the assistance of brethren, the trials of sin can be overcome. It’s all right to start small, and as long as we’re growing, the Lord will guide us and wean us off the milk back to the solid food when we’re ready (I Corinthians 3:1-3a).
The gospel is for all, and part of its beauty is the complexity. We can glean from every chapter regardless of where we are in life. The babes can find milk, while the ones who are strong can find meat, and we can all grow to become better in the Lord together.
Lance Byers
