“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1st Cor. 13:11)
Those things that will be melted in fervent heat, those items in Paul’s life that he counted as dung, are these the things that children concern themselves with, that when children become men, men of God, that are to be no longer counted as worthy of their time?
I speak not here of those things that, in many regards, must be done, most must go out into the world to earn an income, the place where you reside should be kept up and clean as possible. The vehicle maintained, certain daily chores must be accomplished for all that we have been blessed with belongs to the Lord, and we are stewards in this sense.
I do not know how old Paul was when the Lord called him on the road to Damascus, but I do know it took almost three years for him to come to the understanding that what he had spent his life up to that point dedicated to, though not useless, had passed away, been fulfilled.
“Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.” (Gal. 3:21)
Children, those in the milk of the Word of God, are expected to grow, they are expected to leave childish things behind and to move willingly toward strong meat.
For many years I restored and custom-built motorcycles and street rods, it was one of my passions. Today there is a car show in our town, and usually, but not always, I am recognized by those in attendance, and they want to know what I am working on in my garage at the moment. I cannot explain to them that I no longer do these things because they are childish to me, that they are fodder for the fire, that once one is done, the only goal is the next one, for they could not understand.
“For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.” (1st Cor. 1:18)
I will in a small way be tempted, my beautiful wife will tire of my memory recollections and searching for project cars and bikes over the next day or two, and then I will be gently reminded of Matthew 6:20 by the Holy Spirit.
“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:”
I have read and studied the Law in the Scriptures, but I do not contemplate it often.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” (Eph. 2:8)
I read of those the Almighty decided to put in His Holy Book, and I listen to 1st Corinthians 10:11.
“Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
Sometimes I watch my memories a little too long, sometimes the temptations are followed for a time longer than they should be, and then I remember I am no longer a child.
In a sense my friends, we are to use the milk of the Word of God to wash down the strong meat that we are supplied with.
Following the Lord Jesus Christ is not two steps forward and one backward, but it is at times stopping on the path to look back. If we do so with longing, we may find ourselves faltering at what has been set before us, but if we can see the examples in our own lives of not only before He called us to Himself, but when we were only in the milk of the Word, then 2nd Peter 3:18 will become precious to us, and those childish endeavors will hold little meaning to us any longer.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
A paraphrased statement from a man of God long since gone home for you then. “No one faults children for chasing butterflies in the field, but to witness those considered adults doing so is disturbing to say the least.”
We are not to behave as children, we are men and women of the Living God, we are to put childish things away, to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord, and only those who are doing so can fully understand Matthew 18:3.
“And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
