Explain what it means to be “mature in Christ.” Meat vs Milk 503s - 8 - 8

As I attempted to write on DQ#7 I remembered the “teething problems” I had endeavoring to grow in the Word. As a result, DQ#7 morphed into DQ#8 with thanks to Strong’s.

1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk (G1051) of the word that ye may grow thereby:” Here Peter seems to be gentle with new believers as they grow in their faith.

The Apostle Paul called the Hebrews immature, backward, untaught, and dull of hearing. Paul expected far more of the maturing/ mature believer who should seek the Meat of the Word and teach the Word.

 Hebrews 5:11-14, “Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. 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 (G1051), and not of strong (G4731) meat (G5160). For every one that useth milk (G1051) is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong (G4731) meat (G5160) 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.”

Milk, G1051, of uncertain affinity; milk (figuratively): - milk.

Strong, G4731, stiff, that is, solid, stable (literally or figuratively): - stedfast, strong, sure.

 Meat, G5160, nourishment (literally or figuratively); by implication rations (wages): - food, meat.

IMO many who refer to themselves as Christians are far removed from any desire for meat and spit up the little milk that they attempt to take in. Many prefer the “All roads lead to God” false theology to the truth of our being responsible to God and that, John 14:6, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."

Paul also had this to say to the humanists, 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal (G4559), even as unto babes (G3516) in Christ. I have fed you with milk (G1051), and not with meat (G1033): for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?"

 Carnal, G4559 - pertaining to flesh, that is, (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate: - carnal, fleshly.

Babes, G3516 - not speaking, that is, an infant (minor); figuratively a simple minded person, an immature Christian: - babe, childish.

Milk, G1051, of uncertain affinity; milk (figuratively): - milk
.
Meat, G1033 - food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonial) articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law: - meat, victuals.