Hebrews 5:14 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.

Why is it that we do not give steak to new born babies? Simple enough isn’t it, they cannot digest meat. Their digestive systems are not developed adequately to handle meat. It would cause them distress and pain.

So it is with the spiritual strong meat of the Word of God for immature Christians. It takes spiritual maturity to properly digest the Word. Spiritual digestion is food to feed the soul. If I were to force feed you, like a baby it would only cause you distress and pain.

This is why individual bible study, private tastings, are needed to supplement the diet provided by pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is the whole body, both mature and immature Christian, to do no harm, so as not to cause distress and pain.

Growth to maturity is two part. One is diet, the other exercise. You get your exercise in the fellowship of others. Your diet is your own responsibility. You cannot and should not delve into strong meat until your body is prepared to process and use it properly. Maturity is required to handle that spiritual diet. Your ability to develop that digestive system has to be done privately, your pastors and teachers cannot feed you in a public setting.

The words of a doctor are well suited here, “As tolerated.” Growth to maturity is not instant nor does it occur where a proper diet is not used. Babies are not meant to stay babies and Christian are meant to mature.

Amos 7:1 Thus hath the Lord God shewed unto me; and, behold, he formed grasshoppers in the beginning of the shooting up of the latter growth; and, lo, it was the latter growth after the king’s mowings.

Would you like to be able to digest this word? If the answer is yes, then the secret begins with feeding yourselves. “Eat as tolerated.”

1 Peter 2:2-3 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

There is nothing better for a baby than mother’s milk. I am not about to explain all the benefits of mother’s milk. I am sure there are mom’s out there who are much more qualified. Let us leave it at healthy for growth.

Let us rather focus on tasted grace. The milk of the Word, the simple pure gospel, easily digested, grace. Grace is the fat of the Word. It is fat that makes things taste better. Ask a French chef for the secret to tasty food and he will exclaim butter, nature fatty tasty butter.

I love Chicken and Shrimp Carbonara and the secret to the sauce is pancetta, unsmoked Italian bacon, with lots of fat. I know you have heard it said, tongue in cheek or not, “Everything tastes better with bacon.”

Hebrews 5:14 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.

Now we teach above and beyond the milk of the word. The simple gospel is just the start of the rebirth, the baby’s milk. We need to grow, we need that varied diet, even the strong meat of the Word. All I am saying here is that it will taste better, be a better dish if seasoned with grace.

Hebrews 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.

The Word chock-full of grace. Tasty.