He could have prevented the church from suffering at Satan's hands had he desired so to do; but by being permitted to buffet them with trying experiences, Satan has demonstrated his own depraved character, and the resistance of the church has shown their love and devotion to the Lord and thus developed characters that are pleasing unto him.
[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.