How does a new believer grow from the milk of the Word to the strong meat?
A new believer begins as a babe in Christ, desiring the sincere milk of the Word—the simpler truths. As he grows in grace and knowledge through the Christian experience, he matures until ready for the strong meat of the Word, moving beyond simple things. Positionally, God places the redeemed into full maturity by adoption, while growth continues.
Les explains that Scripture presents two concepts. First, when we come in as a new believer, we begin as babes in Christ and desire the sincere milk of the Word, the simpler things. But as we grow and come through the Christian experience, we finally reach the place where we are ready for the strong meat of the Word, not just the simple things. Second, the moment we are saved, God positionally puts us in that place of full responsibility and maturity in the body of Christ, like a tutored son who is presented as a full partner with the father. Ephesians 1:5 speaks of having been predestinated unto the adoption. So we are babes in Christ and grow in grace and knowledge, but positionally we are placed into full maturity in the body of Christ.