Not for Babies
Understanding God's justification is not for babies, but for full-grown believers who want to live victoriously and have peace and security in God's presence.
David Wilkerson emphasizes that understanding God's justification is essential for mature believers, as many Christians remain spiritually immature, only grasping the basics of forgiveness. He compares spiritual immaturity to infants who rely on milk, highlighting that such believers live in fear of their salvation and lack peace with God. Wilkerson urges believers to move beyond the basics and embrace the deeper truths of Christ's righteousness, which provides security and victory over fear. He warns that without this understanding, believers are vulnerable to the devil's lies and cannot fully obey God. Ultimately, he asserts that true righteousness comes solely from Jesus Christ, not from our own efforts.
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Understanding how God justifies His people is not for babies, it is a truth for full-grown believers. Yet many Christians are still babies, drinking milk and refusing to go on to the meat of the Word of righteousness. All they understand is forgiveness of their sins.
"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" (Hebrews 5:13-14).
Milk is for babies -- and babies need constant attention. They feel good only when their mother is in the room, and when she leaves, they cry out with fear. They have to be able to see her, feel her, touch her in order to feel secure.
Likewise, the believer who remains on milk lives in constant dread of his salvation. He is never at ease with the heavenly Father. Instead, he's always uptight, thinking God is ready to send him to hell every time he fails. He does not know or understand his position in Christ and therefore he never knows the peace of God. He cannot believe that God is fully committed to save and keep him.
Paul says in the Word that there is meat available to us, food that will cause us to grow into maturity, to become men and women in Christ and develop into full stature as believers. Beloved, this meat is the truth concerning Christ's perfect righteousness. Understanding it allows you to remain secure in your salvation. You don't have to fear that God will forsake you every time you slip and fall. No -- you will have victory!
If you do not have this truth, the devil will play havoc with your feelings. He'll lie to you and push you around. Unless you have this truth as a foundation under everything you believe, nothing will be right in your doctrine, your theology, your life. You can't even obey God until you understand it.
You have to be convinced that nothing you can ever do will produce an acceptable righteousness before God. It has to come from another source. When I stand at the judgment seat, I have no other plea but the righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Sermon Outline
- Understanding God's Justification
- The Problem of Milk
- The Consequences of Milk
- The Availability of Meat
- The Importance of Truth
- Foundation for doctrine, theology, and life
- Victory over the devil's lies
Key Quotes
“For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.” — David Wilkerson
“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” — David Wilkerson
“When I stand at the judgment seat, I have no other plea but the righteousness of Jesus Christ.” — David Wilkerson
Application Points
- We must understand and stand on the truth of Christ's perfect righteousness to live victoriously and have peace and security in God's presence.
- Lack of understanding of God's righteousness can lead to constant dread of salvation and a lack of peace and security.
- Understanding God's justification provides the foundation for our doctrine, theology, and life, and allows us to obey God.