“For everyone that useth milk is unskillful 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.

We see here that there are two classes of Christians:  the ‘babes in Christ’ and those ‘of full age.’  The babes in Christ recognize the fact that ‘all have sinned,’ and ‘that the wages of sin is death’ – for sin separates from God (Isaiah 59:2).  They have heeded the call of the Saviour to come unto Him and believe on Him, so that they may not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16, 5:24).  They seem to stop at this point – and remain as babes.  Their growth has been stunted and their fruitlessness is indeed evident.  Paul describes them as carnal, or worldly, among whom is envying, strife and divisions.  They build upon the Rock as their foundation, Jesus Christ, a flimsy structure of wood, hay and stubble, - the result of merely human effort, which is easily consumed.

The Christians ‘of full age,’ however, begin at the point of belief and through the inworking of the Holy Spirit, reach maturity and yield abundant fruitage.  They abide in Him and He in them and that accounts for the abundance of fruit (John 15:5).  We see this expressed in Galatians 5:22,23 – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.” 

In constrast to the babes in Christ, do we find them building permanent structures of gold, silver and precious stones through the power of God’s Spirit?  They accept Jesus Christ not only as Saviour from sin through His sacrificial death on Calvary, but as Lord of their lives.  Their faith in and submission to Him determines the course of action in every phase of their lives.  They have yielded, or sacrificed themselves to Him.  Instead of being “conformed to this world they are transformed by the renewing of their minds that they may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”—Romans 12:2.

Reference: Ezekiel chapter 47.  He beheld, then entered the waters to the ankles; again to the knees, then to the loins.  Then God brought him to the waters that were risen to swim in.  Babes in Christ are content to enter the water of Christian living ‘to the ankles’ only; whereas those of ‘full age’ are content with nothing less that ‘waters that are risen to swim in,’ that is, complete abandonment to the ‘current’ of God’s will.

The Old Testament makes plain this meaning of sacrifice.  It was a free-will offering of thanksgiving; a sweet savor, an offering made by fire unto the Lord (Exodus 29:18).  Likewise in the New Testament, sacrifice is something given to God, accept-able and well pleasing unto Him, an odor of a sweet smell, a sweet smelling savor.  “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour”—Ephesians 5:2.  “But I have all, and abound, I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God”—Philippians 4:18.  God’s message to those who have accepted Christ as their personal Savior reads, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”  Therefore it is a reasonable thing God asks of the believers that each present himself as a daily, constant, living sacrifice to God, a continual sweet fragrance, well pleasing and acceptable to Him; a sacrifice of thanksgiving for salvation through Jesus the Savior.  Paul wrote under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  “Yield yourselves unto God . . and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God”—Romans 6:13.  What is it the Holy Spirit beseeches of us?  The act of yielding one’s will to God’s will, a consecration to Him; that we shall go on our knees, spread our lives and all we possess before Himself: wealth, family, home, possessions, recreations, habits, conversation, associates, everything, giving it to Him to do with it as it seems best to Him, and at whatever time He wills to do it, praying, ‘O God, whatever Thy will may be, Thy will be done regardless of what it brings to me, Amen.’  And having laid this sacrifice on His altar, we must never try to take it back, but abide in His will.

What does the yielded life give in return for such surrender:  blessed experience in faith.  Yielded to God’s will, we are now in a place where He can use us, where He will carry our burdens.  “The battle is not yours, but God’s . . ye shall not need to fight, . . set yourselves, stand ye still and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will shew to you today. . .The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace”—II Chronicles 20:5-17.  Yieldedness brings the blessing of testing and proving God’s promises of caring for us according to our needs.  “My God shall supply all our need according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus”—Philippians 4:19.  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”—Matthew 6:33.

Until the ‘babe in Christ’ has yielded to Christ and His will, he will not experience the full privileges and blessings that belong to the Christian; and which, according to the Scriptures, is your reasonable service.”

--Grace & Glory – 1938