Before obligation is set down, pleasure must have been provided: for a parent, that is obvious. Before telling a child, no; one must give the child a reason to listen. This is even somewhat true for infants; though, for an infant, the word is not, no. For an infant, the word is: rest.
Rest; dearly beloved: to get an infant to accept this admonition, we must provide the pleasure (satisfaction) that quiets the yearning. In an infant, we “persuade” the child to believe that; we are the source to which they must turn . . . that, we are the provider of their desires. This involves more than just; giving them the milk that quenches hunger, and the water that calms thirst. We also have to provide the hugs and attention that draws the infant to us. These things are true for all sizes of infants.
The need for positive attention also applies to the one that is an infant to a particular process–a novice. For a novice, we must shield them from the rush of life. This rush tends to press us toward a level of achievement that is beyond our capabilities. Surely, there is a need for some amount of, pushing toward higher level of achievement. Also, these levels are, in general, beyond the present capability of the one that is being pushed. However, the proper push that is applied is a progressive one. As we push others to a level of readiness that is beyond their present capabilities, we must apply a strong measure of deliberative concern; such as this type, which the apostle Paul describes for the candidate for the office of a bishop.
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
(1 Timothy 3:1-7)
Also, the category of, process and procedure infants, includes the one that is an infant to a particular philosophical system– a proselyte. These will need careful attention. To give such attention is one of the joys of the servant of God. The LORD’S servants are keenly aware of the need for evangelical follow-up. Their desire is; to represent the way of the LORD, without putting a distance between them and the ones that observe them. It is easy for such distance to quench the spirit of an infant of the way of the LORD, specifically; but, too, an infant in any process that has measure of, awe that separates. We must be careful and persistent in such outreach; so as to draw the observers into the process, to prevent the discord such as might have overwhelmed this group of observers.
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