[483]When one first becomes a Christian he does not usually suffer so much as later, when he is more developed.  He is at first designated in the Scriptures as a babe in Christ.  As we deal with babes, so our heavenly Father deals with his baby children.  As earthly babies are fed upon milk and other light diets, so is one when he first becomes a Christian; and his experiences are in harmony therewith, as the apostle Peter says:  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby".—­1 Peter 2:2.

[484]The Apostle then illustrates the growth of a Christian by likening the entire new creation to a building, with Jesus as the chief corner-stone and the other members of the body as built up in harmony with him.  He says:  “If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. [Those who have been begotten of the holy spirit have tasted that the Lord is gracious.] To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up sacrifices acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Zion a chief corner stone, elect, precious:  and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.  Unto you therefore which believe he is precious; but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient.”—­1 Peter 2:3-8.

[485]Paraphrasing these words, the Apostle states that Jesus is the chief corner-stone.  He is the Head of the elect; he is the precious One.  Those who believe on him, to such he is precious; and those who hold fast to that belief shall not be confounded.  To believe means to act by fully consecrating oneself to do the Lord’s will.  This great One, the Lord Jesus, has been and is a stumbling-stone and a rock of offense to those who have not believed.  Those who have not appreciated the fact that he is the King of kings and Lord of lords, and that it is a privilege to suffer with him, have been offended and turned away from him.  It is a great privilege to suffer with Christ.  “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake.”—­Philippians 1:29.

[486]The course of the world is directly opposite to the course of the Christian; hence the Christian finds that he must constantly put forth an effort to develop.  For this reason the apostle Peter wrote:  “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue [that is, fortitude, steadfastness, being determined to stand for the truth and on the side of right]; and to virtue knowledge [in order to do this one must study the Word of God, not only occasionally, but regularly, systematically]; and to knowledge temperance [which means self-control, learning to control oneself