TIME FOR *STRONG MEAT*!

Paul wrote:

Heb 5:13 For every one that useth MILK is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Heb 5:14 But strong MEAT belongeth to them that are of FULL AGE.

Many Christians have  grown spiritually to the point where they have seen and accepted the necessity of keeping the Ten Commandments in order to receive eternal life. BUT faith and repentance from dead works is just MILK... Just as Paul continued to explain:

Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto PERFECTION; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Let us go on from understanding we must repent and obey God's law unto to * PERFECTION* - the MEAT that belongs to those who are of full age.

The MEAT is not for spiritual 'babes' - it is for the mature who are committed to the process of salvation through repentance.  So - what is this *PERFECTION * of which Paul speaks?

1Co 2:6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are PERFECT (spiritually - full grown adults):

1Co 2:7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a MYSTERY, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:

Paul said they taught this mystery to them that are "PERFECT" (teleios) - (which means of full age in a spiritual sense) so they could continue to grow to "PERFECTION"(teleiotes) Which means the state of completeness - the finished product

1. PERFECT:

G5046 teleios complete (in various applications of labor, growth, mental and moral character, etc.); neuter (as noun, with G3588) completeness: - of full age, man, perfect.

2. PERFECTION:

G5047 teleiotēs (the state) completeness (mentally or morally): - perfection (-ness).

The "PERFECT" (those of full age) must go on to "PERFECTION" - IT IS NOT THE SAME THING!

Lets review...

Paul said the *MEAT* was for those of "full age" (the PERFECT) in order that they can continue to grow unto PERFECTION.

The apostles spoke this mystery only to those who were of full age - spiritually grown up and able to receive the MEAT.

IN MY EXPERIENCE VERY FEW SABBATH KEEPERS UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS MYSTERY MIGHT BE AND WHAT IT REALLY MEANS.

It is my hope to study this mystery and explain it to those who may not have seen the complete truth.

Here is the first fact - this is the MYSTERY...

1. Christ in you.

Col 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this MYSTERY among the Gentiles; which is CHRIST IN YOU, the hope of glory:

Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man PERFECT in Christ Jesus:

Here is the second fact:

2. We receive the Spirit of Christ through the "adoption of sons" (PERFECTION)

Rom 8:23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [of sons] to wit, the redemption of our body.

3. The third fact:

The children of God are not "sons of God" - we become spiritual children of God through the new birth - BUT the sons of God are those who have been tested and approved.

Briefly - the process of salvation and becoming the "sons of God" is this:

God calls people - those who choose to believe receive the Holy Spirit and are tested - those who pass the testing of their faith receive the Spirit of Christ through the adoption of sons - they will have eternal life.

1Jn_5:11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

1Jn_5:12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

Harold Kupp