Weaning Season

During services this month at The Body of Christ, Inc., our Pastor, Chief Apostle H.C. Gunn, paused and said, “I am still passing out milk.” That sentence stood out strongly. 

In Scripture, we know that milk often references immature Christians—those who have not grown enough to handle solid spiritual food, just like babies. 

Paul wrote to the congregation in 1 Corinthians 3: 

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal?….”

The fact that most of us in our local body have been under the teaching for at least a decade, and some for multiple decades, means God is telling us through Chief Apostle’s words that we who think we are spiritual because we go to church, profess Christ, have spiritual gifts, or serve in ministry may be nothing more than newborns in the eyes of the Lord.

We are still having to be taught as babes, refusing to grow up and eat the meat of the Word. 

So, just like a newborn’s parents, our pastor is spending so much of his time fixing and handing out milk bottles and changing messy diapers instead of being able to help move us to the next stage God has for us. Think about how much energy and time are required for a parent to keep a baby on milk, full and clean all day, versus setting a bowl or plate before a child who has learned how to feed on and digest cooked food.

Hebrews 5 says: 

“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again ... are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 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."

The Scripture is reminding us that we are having to be taught the same things over and over again instead of growing to a place where we can help ourselves and others.

The Lord says He would not have us to be ignorant multiple times throughout the Bible. That means He expects us to be teachable, apply the teaching, and grow from it. But many of us are choosing to stay right where we are because growing up in the Word requires us to be mature, sober, accountable, unselfish, and actively involved. 

But there is good news! The Lord also gave Chief Apostle Gunn the solutions we need to grow up. He recently said: 

• Righteousness is doing what you know is right to do.

• We can avoid mistakes by listening and allowing ourselves to be fathered and taught.

• It amounts to a choice not to raise hell, but to be saved. Be readily available to go past your feelings.

• Sometimes the reason we are not graduating and growing is because we choose to be mothered, fathered, and guided by people and things that are not spiritual but carnal.

• It is never too late to grow again. Like Job said, a tree that has been cut down can sprout again. Choose to come out, look out, and think out from where you are.

  
  

The world always celebrates the term “Winning Season” when someone advances in their romantic, academic, career, or social status. But that is not what God is talking about. He is, however, calling for a "weaning season."

Psalm 131:2 

“Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child.”

Listen to this week's radio broadcast with Chief Apostle Gunn "We Can Do It" here.