I was saved between my first and second year of college while working the summer at Yosemite National Park along with my then girlfriend (whom I later married) Emily. There were a number of Christ for the Nations students up there for the summer helping out with Christian ministry, and one of them, Blaine, shared with us the importance of reading God’s word as new Christians. He told us, “you won’t grow if you don’t eat”.

We believed him, and we were voracious. We obtained a couple of Living Bibles, and during that first year, Emily read the Bible through eight times and I read it through six. And we did grow.

We were hungry.

1 Peter 2:2 as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,

Psalms 34:8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!

2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,

What is the difference between the milk of the word, and meat? Babies can only drink milk because it is easy to digest, and it contains the essential nutrients for the tremendous spurts of growth that infants go through. Spiritually speaking, the milk of the word are those topics and scriptures that give to the Christian, without requiring much in return. These would be topics like what Christ has wrought for us in redemption, our identity in Christ.

Meat on the other hand, are those topics that require us to change. Walking in love. Faith and perseverance. Holiness and sanctification. Doing the works of Jesus.

The interesting thing is that although babies can only drink milk and not eat meat, adults can do both. As a Bible student since 1974, and a Bible teacher since 1976, it is my intention to serve up some good, solid spiritual meals. The only question is,

Are YOU hungry?

— Scott Bernardi