Basic Principles

When a child is born in the home of a rich man, he will be the heir and inherit the animals, garden, and other properties. Before he can enjoy these things, he must grow up.

That is also true of the new believer. When a person repents and believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, then he is born again (anew). He is born into the family of God.

Every baby (child) needs to feel (be shown) the love of his parents. The Heavenly Father shows us His Fatherly love (the love of a Father) by giving us the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit witnesses that we are God's children. If we are children of God, we are His heirs.

When a baby is born it must first breathe. After this it must be given good food. No baby can grow without good food, first milk, and later, solid food. This is exactly what the Bible teaches about God's children. As babies need milk, so young believers need the simple truths of God's Word. The believer needs to read the Word of God. He should go to hear it taught;. He should think about it quietly when by himself.

After a few months a child's legs become stronger and he can walk. Soon his legs become very strong and he can run. The child of God can grow strong by obeying God's commands. Jesus said, "The person who hears My commands and obeys them, shows his love for Me." Another way a child of God may become strong is to tell others about the Lord Jesus. The Word of God teaches that God does not want us to be afraid, but to trust in His power and His love.

When Jesus was on earth He was tempted by Satan. He understands how to help His (God's) children when Satan tempts them. Today Jesus is at God's right hand. He is praying for God's children. Jesus wants His children (us) to pray to God in His name, asking the Lord Jesus to help us in everything we do. Any time and in any place the believer can talk to God his Father. Do not wait until Satan tempts you, then quickly begin to pray.

Are you still tied up in your bad habits from your former life before you trusted Jesus? God wants to deliver you right now. He has promised if you pray with faith He will answer. This is written in the Bible, "so that you may not sin, but if any man does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins." God says, "The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin."

If a believer falls into sin, what happens? Just like a dirty child, he must be washed. The Heavenly Father is saddened and displeased. But He has promised, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all righteousness."

My friends, let us go on to maturity, and to the riches of our inheritance in Christ.

REF: Rom. 8: 16, 17 Eph. 6:10 I Peter 2:2 John 14:21 I Tim. 1:7,8 I John 1:7-9 2:1,2

Older Version:
1962, General level

When a child is born into the home of a rich man, he may be heir of lands, riches, and authority, but before he can enjoy these, and even more before he can understand all that is his, he must grow up.

This is true, too, of the new Christian. When a person repents of his sin and trusts Jesus Christ to save him, at that moment he is born again... born spiritually into the family of God.

Every infant needs to feel parental love. The Heavenly Father gives this by giving assurance of salvation. The Spriit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God, and if children, then heirs. When a believer becomes discouraged, the devil will come and ask, "Do you still feel saved?" Of course, salvation does not depend on changeable feelings, but on the unchangeable Word of God.

Immediately after birth, a baby must begin to breathe. For the believer, this means prayer. Anywhere, any time, in any posture the believer can talk with his Father. At God's right hand is the Saviour, Who Himself has experienced all of our trials. He sympathizes with us, and will help us in time of temptation if we ask Him. Do not wait until temptation comes to begin to pray. Do you have any bad habits carried over from the old life? Then pray about them every time you think of them, not just when they seem appealing. "Lord, lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil." Here is a promise to help: "There has no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able, but will with the temptation make a way of escape, that you may be able to bear it." "Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."

No child can grow without good food... first of all, milk, and later on, solid food. This, the believer has in the Bible. "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby." The believer needs to read it, to hear it taught, and then to think about it every day.

A child also needs exercise in order to grow strong. The believer can receive spiritual exercise by obedience and by witnessing. Jesus said, "He that has My commandments and keeps them, he it is that loves Me." And Paul reminded Timothy, "God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord... but be a partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel."

If a believer falls into sin, what then? Just like a dirty child, he must be washed. The Heavenly Father is saddened and displeased, but He has promised, "If we walk in the light... the blood of Jesus Christ...cleanses us from all sin.... If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. This is written in the Bible, "so that you may not sin, but if any man does sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is the propitiation for our sins."

Brethren, let us go on to maturity, and the riches of our inheritance in Christ.

REF: Rom. 8: 16, 17 Matt. 6:13 I Cor 10:13 Eph. 6:10 I Pet 2:2 John 14:21 II Tim 1:7,8 I John 1:7-9 I John 2:1, 2