NEVER WEANED
by Pastor Charles Cooley

We are told to go beyond the 'elementary principles' of Christ and on to perfection, or maturity. Hebrews 6:1-2 lists these principles as repentance from dead works, faith toward God, the doctrine of baptisms (plural because there are several), laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Many today, who call themselves Christian, read this list and say "huh?" They do not even know about these elementary teachings of Jesus, but Scripture tells us we are to go on into deeper truths which are based on these foundational teachings.

For example, few Christians know about the Feasts of the LORD, listed in Leviticus 23. They may have heard about a few of them, such as Passover, but only in a historical sense. It never enters their thoughts that maybe these feast, or 'appointed times' as Scripture calls them, may have practical lessons for them today. They either pass them off as just Jewish cultural rituals or historical happenings not too applicable to today. But, to have those attitudes is very dangerous to your spiritual health.

Few Christians understand that a common Christian practice called the Lord's Supper is actually based on Passover. It was at a Passover meal that Jesus instituted the last supper and the Passover event gives great meaning into what the Lord's Supper really means. The Passover was an event in which God entered into a blood covenant with those who believed. All covenants require two participants. In Passover, God provided and honored the blood of an innocent lamb that was acceptable to Him and the head of the household responded in obedience by painting the blood of the lamb on the door posts of his house. Only then did the angel of death pass over thus saving the firstborn of the house. There was only one way to escape the death sentence; for both Hebrew and Gentile it took the blood on the door posts to be safe. And it was not just any blood, but only the blood specified by God would suffice. There was only one way to escape the death sentence. This is why Scripture calls those who believe, the church of the firstborn ( Hebrews 12:23 ). Yet 70% of Americans today believe there are other ways to heaven - they are wrong, and will perish for lack of knowledge!

Another practice Passover was the whole lamb had to be consumed, nothing left until morning. It teaches us that we must continue in our belief, leaning all there is to learn about what Jesus has done for us. Isaiah writes Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? [them that are] weaned from the milk, [and] drawn from the breasts. (Isaiah 28:9). Yet, the Pew study concluded that Christians were so weak in their faith that they were like a river that is a mile wide and an inch deep!

The Pew Forum Religious Survey

Of the 35,000 people surveyed, 70 percent said there are many paths to eternal life. Even among evangelical churchgoers, 57 percent shared that view.

Religion That's a Mile Wide and an Inch Deep

It appears that most Americans either don't know the fundamental teachings of their own faiths, or they dismiss them - a finding that came as a surprise to some.

"I didn't think it would be that high, and I didn't think that the figures would extend to so many different religious communities," said John Green of the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life.

And while 74 percent of Americans believe in life after death only 59 percent believe in hell.

One sociologist said, "The survey shows religion in America is, indeed, 3,000 miles wide and only three inches deep."

The study also showed a link between political beliefs and attendance at worship services. People who go to services regularly tend to be more traditional in their religious views and have a more conservative political outlook.
 

We are coming into a time of history in which deception will be rampant. It will be so bad, that Jesus said the days had to be shortened for the elect's sake (Matthew 24:22). Even now Christians are being overwhelmed by false teachings, false revivals, false signs and wonders. But, the way of escape is clearly given in Scripture - come to the Light. Jesus taught that He was the light and darkness cannot overcome the light. He also taught He was the Word so, as with the Passover Lamb, we need to consume His word and apply it to our lives.

Truth always agrees with the Word of God, all of it. And God's light always exposes sin. Those who really come to the Light will have changed lives. True revival is not known for its signs and wonders but, for its changed lives. Peace is more important than excitement and humility than so-called anointing in the kingdom of God.