“I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly.” 1 Cor. 3:2-3; NASB
What does it mean to be “fleshly” to a Christian? It means nothing to someone who has not accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. This is because fleshly is the natural (sinful) state of man. Ever since Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s word in the Garden, man has been born into sin. As a result, our natural state is sinful. We can be the kindest, most loving person possible, but that will always fall short. No matter how good we think we are, we cannot shed our sinful nature without belief and surrender to Jesus Christ as Lord. That’s just the way it is, because our Creator says so. However, from the moment we receive God’s gift of salvation, everything changes. Paul said it like this: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Ga 2:20). When you are “fleshly”, you are acting like your old unsaved self.
From the moment of salvation on, we have a new nature. We do not lose our old nature; but it takes a back seat to the new. This is because, “He made Him (Jesus) who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Co 5:21). This miraculous transformation gives us the choice in every situation to either honor God through Jesus Christ or honor ourselves. When we choose to honor ourselves, we have chosen the “fleshly” path. These choices present themselves every day and without a sincere devotion to honor God, we will usually make the wrong choice. So it is so important to stay committed to reading our Bibles and praying daily.
When we first come to Christ, we are like babies in that we need to learn God’s ways as opposed to ours. This is what Paul meant when he wrote he gave them milk to drink, not solid food. We all start there, but we should not stay there. We all need to grow in the knowledge of Christ as we go through life. Regular prayer and study will do that for any believers who apply themselves. This will bring healing from the hurts and conditions caused by our previously sinful lives. Coming before God with a humble heart, wanting to please Him, will continue the miraculous change that has already begun. Praying for God’s help in all situations will bring His healing and supportive power into your life. Praying scriptures such as, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Ps. 139:23-24), will draw you into deeper fellowship with Him.
Being “saved” is not a onetime event. It begins with the gift that can come only from God, but salvation continues throughout the rest of our lives. We are told to, “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Php. 2:12b). Be diligent in your walk with God. Read His word and pray daily and you will soon go from milk to solid food. That food is eternally satisfying and will bring the joy and peace only available through Jesus Christ.
God bless and have a great week