Put on the Armor

Put on the Armor

How can you assure that your soldiers or police officers endure a battle?  One way is to give them something to defend themselves such as: protective gear, bulletproof vests and helmets.  Ever since there were ways of attacking there were ways of defending.   In martial arts blocking is a way to protect yourself from your opponent hitting you.  Since today many attacks are done with bullet firing arms, bulletproof vests helps were invented.  The idea is to make sure the bullet does not enter your body and cause permanent damage or death.  If this happened it would mean that your unit is short one man.  The use of such equipment is not new.  They are just built differently. 

When battles were fought with swords, arrows, and/or spears there was a need to protect the torso and the head from being impacted or pierced by one of these objects.  So, vests were created then for the torso’s protection, and helmets to protect the head.  These could work as a barrier to bar the entrance of any cutting or piercing objects in the body.  This also helps to endure the assault until the end of the battle. 

To Paul we are in a spiritual war.  But our war is unlike the battles of this world.  Yes you get attacked, but the weapons are not the same.  And, the parts of the body involved are not the same.  We read in 2 Corinthians 10: 3

2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

What Paul meant here is that it is not necessarily a physical war as in two nations warring against each other.  “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6: 12).  The battle is in our hearts and minds.  And, the only way to endure the war is to be fully armed for it.  So, Paul admonishes that we put on the armor of God, “that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” and “that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6: 11, 13).  The Apostle Paul gives a similar advice he gave to the Thessalonians,

1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation

Paul’s mention of the armor in Ephesians 6 is more descriptive,

Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

Ephesians 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

Ephesians 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

Ephesians 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

This armor is to be worn at all times, for the battle is continual.  Ellen White says,

“There is need of watchfulness. Our own hearts are deceitful; we are compassed with the weaknesses and frailties of humanity, and Satan is intent to destroy. We may be off our guard, but our adversary is never idle. Knowing his tireless vigilance, let us not sleep, as do others, but ‘watch and be sober.’ ”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 409.

Getting injured or wounded is not an option.  This takes you out of the battle.  The idea of the armor is to help you endure the battle until you die or the battle ends. 

Notice that, although in Thessalonians faith is part of the breastplate and in Ephesus is the shield.  Both utensils are present in the armor model and both are protective devices.  It is faith that will be lacking in the earth for Christ said, “Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8).  The last generation will have faith, for John says of them that they will have the faith of Jesus.  It is Christ’s faith that enabled Him to be “…obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:8).  So, those that die in Him and those that are alive at his return need this faith to endure.  Christ admonishes some of the martyr’s in Revelation 2: 10, “be thou faithful unto death.”  Those who hold on to Christ’s faith will “… be able to stand against the wiles of the devil,” and will “… be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” (Ephesians 6: 11, 13).  They will overcome the Devil, “…by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12: 11).  They are not afraid to die - … they loved not their lives unto the death (revelation 12:11), because they know that their reward is secure with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4: 16 – 17; Hebrews 11: 19 - 40).  

Watching, Not Just Waiting

Watching, Not Just Waiting

Weddings in the Middle East tended to be week long events and the whole community was involved.  However, sometimes the groom lived far away, and since they could not start without him, they were never sure as to when to start.  In those days the method of traveling was very different from ours. So, the groom and his party had to travel by camel or by foot, through the desert.  This meant traveling on rock and sand under the burning sun.  This also meant that the journey could be a few days long.  So, it required carrying supplies for the journey, and for the time they would stay at their intended destination.  This slowed them down.  This being the case, the reception party, the bridesmaids, would have to wait sometimes seven days.  Since, they were never sure when the groom would come, then they had to remain ready to receive the groom at any time he arrived. 

The parable of the ten virgins is an example of this.  The bridesmaids are waiting outside in case the groom arrives that night.  However, there is a difference between waiting and watching.  The father of the prodigal son was watching and he was ready to receive Him.  (This means that God is always watching and ready for us.)  Since, the virgins all fell asleep, they were not watching.  And, that night when the Groom arrived, it caught them by surprise.  Although they were waiting they were not necessarily ready.  However, some were less ready than others. 

There is a story of child traveling to see her grandmother.  The child asked her grandmother one special request, “I want you to watch for me.”  The grandmother agreed.  Every time they talked the child reminded her and the grandmother would say, “Yes, I will watch for you.”  The day that the family would arrive, the grandmother got busy getting everything ready: cleaning, preparing the guest rooms, cooking, etc.  Grandmother lost track of time, the door rang, and she ran to open it.  Everyone came in except for the granddaughter.  She stayed behind.  She looked teary eyed, and with a spoon shaped mouth.  Grandmother was concerned, “Child why are you so gloomy?  Are you not happy to be here and see me?”  The child slowly nodded.  Grandmother then asked, “so why are you crying?’  The child softly said, “I am sad and disappointed?”  “Why?” asked the Grandmother.  The child said, “You did not watch for me.”  Grandmother knew her family was coming, but she allowed herself to be concerned with other things, so that when they arrived it caught her by surprise. 

It is not that the Virgins did not know that the groom was coming, they just allowed themselves to be distracted with other concerns.  You can imagine the groom’s disappointment when he arrives after all that hardship in the journey to find his bridesmaids, not watching for him.  Imagine his disappointment when, furthermore, five of them ran away because they were not ready to receive him.  Christ is warning us so that we may not be in the same condition.

This is akin to what Christ told the Disciples in Mark 13: 33 regarding the time of the end,

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

Mar 13:34 For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch.

Mar 13:35 Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning:

Mar 13:36 Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.

Mar 13:37 And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

For the dead in Christ we need not worry.  There reward is secure.  Paul says in Hebrews 11: 39 – 40,

Heb 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:

Heb 11:40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

Furthermore, he says in 1 Thessalonians 4:14, “…even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.”  So, when Christ comes they shall rise and be caught with Christ, before those that live (1 Thessalonians 4: 16).  But, those that live have the greater privilege.  They will demonstrate to the world that humans can overcome Sin, in sinful flesh as Christ overcame Sin in the flesh, since He came in the likeness sinful flesh (Romans 8:3).  These will vindicate God.  And, this is what Christ is waiting for; we read from Ellen G. White,

Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own.  {COL 69.1}

The Groom will come when “His wife hath made herself ready” (Revelation 19:7).  They will not disappoint Christ.  They will be ready and watching for Him.

The Goal is the Process

The Goal is the Process

Many see and hear singers and think that these are especially talented people; that they have a gift, and only those gifted can do it.  As if, singing does not require technique to be learned and mastered.  The truth is that as with many things in life, there is a method or process for singing.  And, as with many things, the process for singing requires technique.   A technique is a practical (or mechanical) skill applied to the process or method to perform and complete a task.  Often more than one technique is needed, if the task is complex.  In fact the more complex the process the more technique is needed.  The process of singing happens to be pretty complex. 

For a singer a large part of the technique is breathing.  They have to breathe correctly and at the right places of the song.  Among other parts of the technique are how to open the mouth, where to put the tongue, and when to raise lower the volume.   All of these must be learned and mastered before the performance.   So, throughout the song a major focus of the singer is to stay connected with the techniques required in the process of singing.  The idea is that if the singer has the technique right then the voice will sound right.  So, for the singer the outcome is not the goal, but the process.   

The same goes for the Christian walk.  Many mistakenly think that the goal is to act a certain way.  But, that is not God’s goal for us.  God’s goal is the process.  If we follow God’s process the behavior will come automatically.  God’s process is called sanctification; and, according to Paul, “this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4: 3).  The word in Greek is holiness, which verse 7 says that that is God’s call for us.  Our quarterly states that, Verse 3 builds on verse 1, where Paul reminded the Thessalonians of how they were to “walk” (NKJV) - “live” in many translations -a Hebrew concept used to describe daily moral and ethical behavior.  In verse 3 he uses another Hebrew concept to describe spiritual life and growth, “holiness” or “sanctification.”

A typical definition of holiness is “set apart for sacred use.” But Paul gives the term more specific meaning in this letter. Holiness is the condition the Thessalonians will be in at the return of Jesus (1 Thess. 3:13). But in chapter 4 Paul chooses a form of the concept that emphasizes process rather than outcome. It is a noun of action: “sanctifying” more than “sanctification.” It is the will of God that we be engaged in this process (1 Thess. 4:3).

So, what is this process of sanctification?  Before, we answer the question we should establish that any contemporary study of "holy living" must include the context of the unique Seventh-day Adventist doctrine of the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary.  To understand the heavenly sanctuary God has given us the earthly sanctuary and its services and sacrifices.  Because, what happened in the earthly is a representation of what happened in the heavenly.  Every day ceremonies of sacrifices were made for forgiveness of Sin.  By faith and figuratively all the sins forgiven daily were accumulated in the sanctuary for a year.  Once a year other ceremony of sacrifice was made to cleanse the Sanctuary from these Sins.  The Sins were blotted out.  This event pointed to the time – of age - when all the Sins of the World, placed on the Heavenly Sanctuary, would be cleansed.  The Sins are blotted out.  We are living in this age now: the Cosmic Age of Atonement. 

However, the cleansing of the heavenly sanctuary is a work that includes the people and extends to them. It provides for the perfection of their character in Christ on the one hand; and on the other hand in the final destruction of sin and sinners and the cleansing of the universe from all taint of sin. It is Christ fully formed in each believer. The sanctuary itself cannot be cleansed so long as God's people continue to pour into it a constant stream of sinning. The stream will be stopped at its source in the hearts and lives of God's people. The ministry of Christ in the Most Holy Apartment does make "the comers thereunto perfect" (Heb. 10:1) and does perfect "forever them that are sanctified" (vs. 14).  This is the work of the Holy Spirit in us.  Blotting out all self from us and in its stead writing in our hearts and mind the commandments and statutes of God (Jeremiah 31: 33; Hebrews 10:16).   This is the process.  For this to happen we must permit it to happen.   This is our focus.

commentary: Friends Forever

Friends Forever

The word friend appears 53 times in the KJV.  Very few times friend is used in association with God:   Abraham was called a friend of God.  The word for friend in Hebrew is different than Greek.  In Hebrew the word is "rea`" and "re`eh".  Both of these words derive from "ra`ah", which means to tend, to pasture, to shepherd, to feed, to graze.  In Greek is mostly phylos, which means friend or associate (buddy or pal). 

Did Jesus call the disciples, "buddy" or "pal?'  It is important to notice the context of when Christ called the disciples friends.  In John 15, Christ instructed the disciples to abide in Him.  Then in verse 10 he tells them that "If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love."  Then in verse 12 He tells them that His commandment is for them to agape one another as Christ has agape them.  Now notice the associations Christ makes in the John 15: 13-15,

John 15: 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15: 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 15: 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Christ told them that He will lay down His life for them – His friends.  And, verse 15 tells us why called them friends, "for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."  Christ used the term friend to distinguish between servants and friends.  As followers of Christ they could be considered His servants.  And, they probably had a high estimation for friendship, and Christ clarified what true friendship is all about: agape.  If you agape you will have no problem laying down your life.  With agape they could do unto others as Christ had done unto them (1 John 3:16). 

How do you lay down your life?  When Jesus was talking to Peter and asked Peter, "Do you love me?"  After Peter's response Christ instructed Peter, "Feed and tend my sheep and lambs."  This brings us back to the concept of friendship in Hebrew.  And, if we look carefully this is how Paul acted with the Thessalonians.  

If we recall from last week's lesson Paul used language that referred to himself as a mother and father to them.  Let us read 1 Thessalonians 2: 7and 11,

1 Thessalonians 2: 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 

1 Thessalonians 2: 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 

Our lesson states that Paul felt as a parent who is pulled away from his or children and leaving them orphan.  So, it is no surprise that he longed to know about them, and to see them again.  Paul states this in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20,

1 Thessalonians 2: 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

1 Thessalonians 2: 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.

1 Thessalonians 2: 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

1 Thessalonians 2: 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Paul says at the end that they, the Thessalonians, Christ return would not be perfect if they are not there.  In essence, Paul would consider that he failed and that his work was in vain.

Paul sends Timothy to encourage them, to make sure they are grounded in the faith, and to bring back a report of them.  The report pleased Paul.  "Paul's heart went out in tender sympathy toward these believers, who, in the midst of trial and adversity, had remained true to God" (Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 255).  We read in 1 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 8

1 Thessalonians 3: 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—

1 Thessalonians 3: 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

1 Thessalonians 3: 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

So, Paul makes sure they know his desire toward them and let them know that he is incessantly praying for them.  Let us read 1 Thessalonians 3: 9 – 13,

1 Thessalonians 3: 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

1 Thessalonians 3:  10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3: 11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

1 Thessalonians 3: 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

 1 Thessalonians 3: 13  so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

What Paul is expressing is more than just a pal or a buddy.  Paul is expressing unconditional, self-denying, other centered love.  Ellen White describes this love,

"True, heaven-born love is not selfish and changeable. It is not dependent on human praise. The heart of him who receives the grace of God overflows with love for God and for those for whom Christ died. He does not love others because they love and please him, because they appreciate his merits, but because they are Christ's purchased possession."—Ellen G. White, Christ's Object Lessons, pp. 101, 102.

This love comes to us from the Holy Spirit who sheds it in our hearts (Romans 5:5).  I pray that we accept it.  

--
Raul Diaz
www.wolfsoath.com

Friends Forever

Friends Forever

The word friend appears 53 times in the KJV.  Very few times friend is used in association with God:   Abraham was called a friend of God.  The word for friend in Hebrew is different than Greek.  In Hebrew the word is “rea`” and “re`eh”.  Both of these words derive from “ra`ah”, which means to tend, to pasture, to shepherd, to feed, to graze.  In Greek is mostly phylos, which means friend or associate (buddy or pal). 

Did Jesus call the disciples, “buddy” or “pal?’  It is important to notice the context of when Christ called the disciples friends.  In John 15, Christ instructed the disciples to abide in Him.  Then in verse 10 he tells them that “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love.”  Then in verse 12 He tells them that His commandment is for them to agape one another as Christ has agape them.  Now notice the associations Christ makes in the John 15: 13-15,

John 15: 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15: 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

John 15: 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Christ told them that He will lay down His life for them – His friends.  And, verse 15 tells us why called them friends, “for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”  Christ used the term friend to distinguish between servants and friends.  As followers of Christ they could be considered His servants.  And, they probably had a high estimation for friendship, and Christ clarified what true friendship is all about: agape.  If you agape you will have no problem laying down your life.  With agape they could do unto others as Christ had done unto them (1 John 3:16). 

How do you lay down your life?  When Jesus was talking to Peter and asked Peter, “Do you love me?”  After Peter’s response Christ instructed Peter, “Feed and tend my sheep and lambs.”  This brings us back to the concept of friendship in Hebrew.  And, if we look carefully this is how Paul acted with the Thessalonians.  

If we recall from last week’s lesson Paul used language that referred to himself as a mother and father to them.  Let us read 1 Thessalonians 2: 7 and 11,

1 Thessalonians 2: 7 But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. 

1 Thessalonians 2: 11 as you know how we exhorted, and comforted, and charged every one of you, as a father does his own children, 

Our lesson states that Paul felt as a parent who is pulled away from his or children and leaving them orphan.  So, it is no surprise that he longed to know about them, and to see them again.  Paul states this in 1 Thessalonians 2:17-20,

1 Thessalonians 2: 17 But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire.

1 Thessalonians 2: 18 Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us.

1 Thessalonians 2: 19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?

1 Thessalonians 2: 20 For you are our glory and joy.

Paul says at the end that they, the Thessalonians, Christ return would not be perfect if they are not there.  In essence, Paul would consider that he failed and that his work was in vain.

Paul sends Timothy to encourage them, to make sure they are grounded in the faith, and to bring back a report of them.  The report pleased Paul.  “Paul’s heart went out in tender sympathy toward these believers, who, in the midst of trial and adversity, had remained true to God” (Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 255).  We read in 1 Thessalonians 3: 6 – 8

1 Thessalonians 3: 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you—

1 Thessalonians 3: 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith.

1 Thessalonians 3: 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.

So, Paul makes sure they know his desire toward them and let them know that he is incessantly praying for them.  Let us read 1 Thessalonians 3: 9 – 13,

1 Thessalonians 3: 9 For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

1 Thessalonians 3:  10 night and day praying exceedingly that we may see your face and perfect what is lacking in your faith?

1 Thessalonians 3: 11 Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way to you.

1 Thessalonians 3: 12 And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,

 1 Thessalonians 3: 13  so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints.

What Paul is expressing is more than just a pal or a buddy.  Paul is expressing unconditional, self-denying, other centered love.  Ellen White describes this love,

“True, heaven-born love is not selfish and changeable. It is not dependent on human praise. The heart of him who receives the grace of God overflows with love for God and for those for whom Christ died. He does not love others because they love and please him, because they appreciate his merits, but because they are Christ’s purchased possession.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 101, 102.

This love comes to us from the Holy Spirit who sheds it in our hearts (Romans 5:5).  I pray that we accept it.  

Spiritual Lactation

Spiritual Lactation

Breastfeeding, also known as nursing or sucking, is the feeding of an infant or young child with breast milk directly from female human breasts (i.e., via lactation) rather than from a baby bottle or other container. Babies have a sucking reflex that enables them to suck and swallow milk.  Below are some of the many benefits of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding helps defend against infections, prevent allergies, and protect against a number of chronic conditions by contributing to the infant's immune system by increasing the barriers to infection and decreasing the growth of organisms like bacteria and viruses..   So, it follows that as a group, breastfed babies have fewer infections and hospitalizations than formula-fed infants.  So, women who breastfeed are less likely to have to take time off from work to care for their sick babies.

Breast milk provides ideal nourishment.  It is often called the "perfect food" for a human baby's digestive system; breast milk's components are easily digested by a newborn's immature system.  So it is no surprise that as a group, breastfed infants have less difficulty with digestion than do formula-fed infants; this leads to have fewer incidences of diarrhea or constipation. Breast milk also naturally contains many of the vitamins and minerals that a newborn requires.   

Breastfeeding can be convenient and it doesn't cost a cent.  With no last-minute runs to the store for more formula, breast milk is always fresh and available. And when women breastfeeds, there's no need to warm up bottles in the middle of the night. It's also easy for breastfeeding mothers to be active — and go out and about — with their babies and know that they'll have food available for whenever their little one is hungry. 

Breastfeeding also burns calories and helps shrink the uterus, so nursing moms may be able to return to their pre-pregnancy shape and weight quicker. In addition, studies show that breastfeeding helps lower the risk of various diseases, such as: breast cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and of uterine and ovarian cancer.   

Last, but not least, nursing is a wonderful experience for both mother and baby since it can create a special bonding experience that many nursing mothers cherish.  Many nursing mothers really enjoy the experience of bonding so closely with their babies because the skin-to-skin contact can enhance the emotional connection between mother and infant.

The apostle Paul, on occasion, wrote to those whom He brought to Christ, in terms of giving birth to them (Galatians 4: 19) or nursing them (1 Thessalonians 2: 7).   Just as the bond created between the nursing child and the mother is strong, so was Paul’s bond with those whom he taught.  Peter said that as “newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).  Evidently, Paul saw similarities between nursing a baby and bringing a convert to Christ.  Let us enumerate a few.

The mother can only give the baby the milk she has.  What this means is that, if she is healthy the baby will get good milk, and if she is sick or partakes on drugs or alcohol she could give the baby infected or toxic milk.  A teacher with a perverted Gospel will only give its students the perverted Gospel he has.  But, the teacher with the right gospel will give its students the precious truth as it is in Jesus.  Those who have been breastfed the Gospel of truth, have no need of other gospels.  Just like breast milk is the perfect food for the infant.  The Gospel of truth is the perfect Spiritual food for all men.  No need to spend money and effort in spiritual cow milk or formula.  Also, since, the taste of the food she eats will affect the breast milks taste, and the baby that breast feeds eats vicariously what his mother eats, the child will get used to that taste.  Once, the spiritual child get use to the flavor of the True Gospel, when grown (s)he will continue to like the truth and prefer it over any other heresies that comes his or her way. 

The nursing mother nurses her child for about three years.  The first few months the child only breastfeeds, after this the child eats solid food and breast feeds, until eventually the child is weaned.  This means that the mother has to make herself available to this child for all this time.  Likewise, Paul made himself available to his new converts for a period of time until he was certain they were established in the truth.  When Paul could not remain with them, he would send emissaries to check in, as he did with Timothy, and or corresponded with them via letters.  At any chance he asked about them. 

Now, Paul expected the new converts to grow spiritually and one day be weaned spiritually.  Great was his disappointment when converts whom he thought should be old enough to be eating only spiritual solid food - and not dependent on their spiritual mother - were still not weaned out of Spiritual milk.  Such was the case with the Corinthians and the Hebrews (1 Corinthians 3: 2: Hebrews 5: 12 -13).

Just as breastfeeding also benefits the mother, teaching and preaching the Gospel also helps the teacher.  The teacher hears what he speaks, thus reinforcing what (s)he already knows.  This keeps the teacher’s knowledge of the Lord fresh and active; keeping the teacher from spiritual diseases. 

We can see why Paul used that analogy of nursing (and giving birth).  Paul suffered much for the preaching of the Gospel.  So, those whom he brought to Christ were precious to Him, because it was with great pains and opposition that he was able to teach them.  Paul gave Himself as much as Christ gave Himself to us.  How could he do this?  He loved as God loved.   The Lord said, that even when some mothers forget their children He never will forget them (Isaiah 49: 15).  This is the kind of love that Paul had for those whom he preached to.