Little House on the Prairie
I want to use an illustration that most people can understand, I think. First of all, I want to state that I am not suggesting that native Americans are evil. It simply is the best illustration I can think of to bring forth an important point. Native Americans would instantly see the parallels. Some tribes from the 19th century were hostile warriors. Some were peaceful and even helpful toward the European settlers. Whether the history of the United States is right or wrong is not the point, as everyone will soon see.
I need to present the idea of a pioneer father bringing his family along to settle in the encroaching “new” country as it began to spread westward. This man has a large family with a number of children, ranging in age from newborn to nearly adult. He found a suitable place to try to provide a new life for his family.
He built a house and began to cultivate the surrounding land. One day, he spotted some Indians (as the old Westerns portray them). He saw some smoke from distant campfires. There were some figures moving stealthily near some trees at the edge of his corn field. Finally, there was an arrow in the front door of the cabin. He had to speak to his family.
When the children saw the arrow stuck in the door, they were frightened. The father spoke to the four year old. “Don't be frightened. Everything will be alright. I will do everything I can to see you sleep peacefully tonight.”
To the 7 and 8 year olds he said, “Fill every bucket with water and bring it into the house”.
The 11 year old was given the instructions, “Make sure the horse are fed, then lock them in the barn”.
To the thirteen year old daughter, he said, “I need you to bring in some firewood. Get as much as will fit near the fireplace”.
At last the father spoke to his 18 year old son. He spoke privately so that the younger children could not hear. “Make sure all the guns are loaded and ready.”
The father did not run around in circles in the log cabin shouting, We're all gonna die! He did not tell the young children to load the guns. He did not tell the oldest son to go to sleep and everything will be just fine. Don't worry about it or give any thought to the upcoming massacre.
The father spoke to each child what was appropriate for their age. He did not lay an impossible burden upon the young ones. He did not lie to any one of them but he did tell the plain truth to the older ones who were supposed to understand it and had the ability to obey.
Something similar happens to us today. God wants to speak peace and comfort to a baby Christian. He wants the newly saved person to be established in grace (Heb 13:9). He wants them to thoroughly understand that their salvation is through faith alone in Christ alone by the grace of God alone. They have to deeply see that it is not their works that please God. They have to understand that salvation is not a combination of the grace of God plus their human effort (Eph 2:8-9). This is the foundation for the new believer or even the “preborn” [the person on whom God is working but who is not born again yet]. Sadly, I feel that few people are firmly ground in grace. They say they are, yet they fall apart when they grow up a little and hear what the Father says to older children.
To God's children who have walked for a little while in the things of God, He says that He has prepared good works for us to walk in (Eph 2:10). “You mean, I have responsibility?” The newborns choke on this. “I thought everything was entirely the grace of God. God is sovereign and I have no power or responsibility.” Many are not firmly established in grace. They talk about it all the time but they really do not deeply believe it.
The newborn does not have responsibilities in the household. Do you bring an new infant home from the hospital then tell them to help with the dishes? Their job is to eat and to grow. Their destiny, however, is to not remain an infant forever but to grow up into the things of God. There are things He will not require of a newborn. Their destiny is to become a responsible adult at the correct time.
To the mature, God has something to reveal. [Jesus thought His disciples were ready to take on the world after 1-3 years.] We are in war. The enemy will kick your brains in if he can find any weakness in your defenses (Eph 6:12). God does not want to say this to a baby Christian.
Are you a newborn who has remained in the crib for 40 years?
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. (ICor 3:2)
Paul would never say this to a new baby Christian. About 5 years after the founding of this church he hears of divisions and problems in the church at Corinth. Apparently, he felt that walking with the Lord for that amount of time should have produced a more mature heart in the believers than what was reported to him.
I have been walking with the Lord for 50 years. I am only beginning to understand some things I should have known a long time ago. Therefore, I have to realize I should not be harsh with people. It is just that as I mature in the things of God, I understand that many things in the Scriptures are really important and I do not want anyone to miss any of it.
You have to judge (evaluate) yourself. Where are you and where should you be at this point in time? God will not lay on you a burden greater than you can bear if you are a new Christian. Do you hear Him calling you to more responsible things?
Dec. 21, 2023