FOR FAIR USE AND EDUCATION AND DISCUSSION PURPOSES



Have you ever seen a little girl with her mommy's shoes on, and smeared makeup on her face...and a big smile in her pretense? She really BELIEVES she's "all grown up" because she is copying her mommy.

Likewise, many Christians think they are "all grown up" and "mature" in Christ because they have been believers for years...or decades. But, actually, most of these people are still "babes" in Christ.

What are "babes", or children, in their attributes?

They repeat what they have heard.
They don't know how to think for themselves.
You can't teach them things beyond their level of understanding.
They do not have deductive reasoning.
They can't solve complex puzzles.
They can't,nor do they want to, think SPIRITUALLY.
They need someone to teach them.
They quote what their teachers say and don't use deductive reasoning.

And....they just don't want to learn anything that is different from what they already know

We ALL come to Jesus Christ as "children"....but we aren't supposed to remain that way!! IT'S TIME TO GROW UP AND MATURE....STAND ON YOUR OWN TWO FEET....DO YOUR OWN THINKING!!

This link shows where the fault has lain all along. But, if you had been reading your Bibles instead of "playing Christian", as a "babe", you might have known this and started growing to a mature Christian long ago:


http://www.looktotheeast.com/modern%20churches.htm


Here are just a few, among the many, scriptures that tell you that you need to "grow up" in Christ. You have to be able to digest "meat" doctrines which are hard to understand....and "babes" can't do this.

Jesus tried to tell Nicodemus (John chapter 3) spiritual things, but they were beyond his understanding. His thoughts were "earthly", so he couldn't understand "spiritual" realities of earthly things..as explained in I Cor.15:46-49....read it!!

And, because of this, it is almost IMPOSSIBLE for a "babe" in Christ to understand the Book of Revelation....because it is SIGNIFIED (verse 1), and "babes" in Christ CANNOT UNDERSTAND "SIGNS", and they interpret them literally instead. eg. The "dragon" is Satan....but what is a "locust" as a spiritual symbol? Have you tried to find out? NO? Then "grow up" and start searching for yourself.

Still believe that Daniel 9:27 refers to "Antichrist"? This one verse CHANGES ALL THE EVENTS OF FUTURE PROPHECY to either the TRUTH, or to a LIE, which has been told for years and deceived many. So, "grow up" and start searching the truth for yourself. (The "he" is THE MESSIAH...unless, as a "babe", you can't tell a "preceding noun" from a "prepositional phrase")

I think you get the point. Get out of "church" and become PART OF THE CHURCH, or you will never learn to think for yourself.

Scriptures:

Hebrews 5:12-14..."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,("babes" in Christ) and NOT OF STRONG MEAT. (vs.13) For every one that useth milk (a "babe" in Christ) IS UNSKILFUL IN THE WORD OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: for HE IS A BABE. (vs.14) But STRONG MEAT belongeth to them that are of FULL AGE, even those who by reason of use have their senses EXERCISED TO DISCERN BOTH GOOD AND EVIL."

"Babes" in Christ have no discernment between good and evil...but they THINK they do. Just like a child will THINK they won't get burned by touching a hot stove.

I Peter 2:2.."As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:..." But babies don't stay on a milk diet. If they do, they will not grow and thrive...and neither will a Christian staying on "milk" doctrines. Who teaches these "milk" doctrines? Your pastor does!! He has to....or most people won't attend!($$$$)

I John 2:12..."I write unto you, FATHERS,....I write unto you, YOUNG MEN,...I write unto you, LITTLE CHILDREN...".

Why do you think that God makes it a strong point to differentiate between these CLASSES OF CHRISTIANS??? "Children" only "know the Father", and all the "milk" doctrines. They CAN'T DIGEST MEAT DOCTRINE....because pastors very seldom, if at all, teach these things. Because if they did, you wouldn't need them anymore! ($$$$)

And it shouldn't matter anyway, because a Christian should PROGRESS, by himself, through the Holy Spirit, and GROW TO MATURITY with the help of God alone.

I John 2:27..."But the anointing which ye have received of Him abideth in you, and YE NEED NOT THAT ANY MAN TEACH YOU: but as the same anointing teacheth you of ALL THINGS, and is TRUTH, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him."

Will you be ASHAMED, before God, at His coming? (see I John 2:28...and compare with II Tim. 2:15) Compare scripture to scripture to obtain doctrine. "Babes" in Christ either "follow the leader", or take one verse and make it their incorrect doctrine.

Finally, II Peter 3:15-16..."And account that the longsuffering of our Lord (the "tribulation throughout all our lives as Christians) is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you: (vs.16) As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are SOME THINGS HARD TO BE UNDERSTOOD, which they that are UNLEARNED AND UNSTABLE ("babes in Christ) wrest, AS THEY DO ALSO THE OTHER SCRIPTURES, UNTO THEIR OWN DESTRUCTION."

I don't think God could have been much more clear....but it has to be READ, STUDIED, and COMPARED with other scripture, to be UNDERSTOOD. And how much of this have you learned, from going to "church" and hearing it from a "Pastor"?

Now, I think you KNOW if you are a "babe" or a "mature" Christian.


Arlene