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. – Heb. 5:14
It is hard for any, who are called to minister or write about the truths of God, to please every one. Babes, who are unskilful in the word of righteousness, can only take milk: they cry out against strong meat, it offends them.
But such should consider that they are not always to continue babes to feed upon milk; they must learn to eat strong meat, that they may grow thereby.
God's children are not all of equal age: strong meat is as necessary for adult men us milk is for babes. It is necessary to those "of full age," or perfect, as in the margin–not so compared with the perfect law of God: there is no one upon earth perfect in this sense, though many, through ignorance of the law and themselves, pretend to it; but perfect in comparison of babes, respecting the knowledge of the everlasting, immutable love of God in Christ to sinners; of his freely and fully justifying and eternally glorifying them, through the blood and righteousness of his Son; and of his effectually calling and sanctifying them by his Spirit.
The deep truths of God are held forth in Scripture as strong meat to nourish, comfort, and build up those who are of full age: hence it becomes those who labor in the word to give each their portion; that neither babes on the one hand, nor men on the other, should have reason to find fault. Babes should not expect the strong to come back to their food, but they should press forward to maturity.
How is this to be attained? "By reason of use;" constantly searching the Scriptures, and hearing them opened and explained, just as a learner uses his grammar which contains the rudiments of the language he wants to attain; he cannot get forward without it; he must be perfect in it; he is never to forget its rules. "By the exercise of the senses;" the internal ones of the understanding and judgment: "Seeing Jesus." Heb. 2:9. "Hearing his voice." John, 10:3. Smelling the sweet odor of his love: "his name is as ointment poured forth." Song 1:3. "Tasting that the Lord is gracious.'' 1 Pet. 2:3. "Handling the word of life and salvation as held forth in the Gospel." 1 John, 1:1. Thus exercising our senses on Christ, we grow strong to trust him: we discern that all good is in him, and all is evil without him.