What does it mean to be in "The meat of the Word"?

Hello all,
I was wondering what it means to be in the meat of the word, my grandfather says that I am still in the milk because I woulden't accept his theory of a pre-ademic race that was destroyed and became the demons mentioned in the bible. I have tried to show him 1 Corinthians 15:21,22 but he claims that is for this generation, and the pre-ademic race was a previous generation. Anyway, he says that his theory is an example of the meat of the word, and I am not ready for it.

Soo...What does it mean to be in the meat?
Joe

Soo...What does it mean to be in the meat?

[color=000066] 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, and walk as men? (I Cor. 3)[/color]

Paul obviously desired to teach the Corinthian church many things, but they were not able. They were in a 'carnal' frame and spiritual truths are spiritually discerned. Obedience to God is the key to understanding the stronger and deeper teachings of scripture.

[color=000066] For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and 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. [u]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.[/u] (Hebrews 5)[/color]

Obedience is the key to understanding. We have to walk in what we know to be God's will. As we are faithful to do that God will open our understanding to grasp even deeper truths. A hunger and thirst for righteousness goes along with a hunger and thirst for understanding. Sin causes spiritual ignorance. Living in Sin can really hinder a person's grasp of the Gospel. The people in Hebrews had to be taught [i]again[/i] basic things.

But I would not agree that pre-Adamic race type things are indicative of 'strong meat'. I think that is a personal view. I would not be disrespectful about it, but I would consider a deeper grasp of the Gospel as 'strong meat'. The ability to see, by revelation, the breadth and length and depth and height of all God has done through Christ and the Cross. To have a firm grip on the purposes of God and to be able to articulate them with clarity. This comes with much study, prayer and certainly obedience.

Thank you for your response, I agree that the gospel is paramount to all things, and therefore central to the bible. The simplicity of the gospel is so boggling to me, it is so simple that a child could understand, but contains so many truths that we will never grasp this side of eternity. Anyone else have any views?
Joe

Anyone else have any views?

Just what was said earlier. Paul warned Timothy about paying attention to myths and fables. Not that this is one! No, but the point is that the meat of the word is found in Christ, in the gospel. Any "knowledge" that distracts us from this or demands that we learn something else from this can smack of that first century heresy Gnosticism (Greek for knowledge-ism). Be like Paul who said, "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." That is the meat of the word, unless Paul was still on milk.

the meat . Jesus was asked by his disciples that were with Him are you not hungry you have not eaten in a while, and Jesus turned to then and said,, " My meat is to do the will of the father." the meat is doing the WILL of the FATHER. to bow down before Him so He can have His will Done through you. casting out devils , keeping the tounge, which only the Holy Spirit can tame. laying hands on the sick, functioning in the manifestations and ministrations of the Holy Spirit. taking care of the widows and orphans. not having any false weights and balances in dayly business.Integrity with others and honesty with yourself. being a servant of all as Jesus was . these are the will of the father this is the meat.

well said koheleth

Thanks,
Excellent point in Paul saying "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified." This the focal point of all existence. I was listening to Galatians on the stereo last night and played Galatians chapter 3 about three times. That chapter is so awesome, showing that the covenant of faith was hundreds of years before the covenant of works. Our God is an awesome God! It's so profound to us who are saved, and incomprehensible to those that are unsaved and relying on a "covenant of good works".
Joe

The writer of Hebrews is refering to this precept found in Scripture....

Psa 119:97 MEM. O how love I thy law! it [is] my meditation all the day.

Psa 119:98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they [are] ever with me.

Psa 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies [are] my meditation.

Psa 119:100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts.

Psa 119:101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word.

Psa 119:102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me.

Psa 119:103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth!

Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

Now those who the writer of Hebrews exhorts have this issue...

Hbr 5:11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.

Hbr 5:12 ¶ For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which [be] the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

Hbr 5:13 For every one that useth milk [is] unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.

Hbr 5:14 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.

Compare the writer of Psalm 119's testimony and what he was enabled to do...with the lack that is recognized in the lives of the Hebrew church...

Focus on what empowers one to discern good from evil...what are the consequences of a life that does not seek to grow in the wisdom of the word of God...

In Christ
Jeff