|
|
A Biblical Theology of Growth
Growth Spurt
God cares about the strength and maturity of His children.
- Some think that it is normal for Christians to remain in spiritual
infancy for the duration of their lives. As long as they have professed Jesus
as Savior and Lord sometime in the past, they are satisfied, and think God
expects no more of them.
- But what kind of a father would want to have ten children and
then not care about whether any of them grow to spiritual or physical maturity?
- By the same token, what kind of Father would God be if He wanted
to adopt so many children, but then didn't care whether or not they ever grew
up? God is not a deadbeat dad. He is always working towards the spiritual
growth of the members of His Church.
God cares so much about this growth that He expects it in
His older children.
- And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men,
but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. I gave you milk to drink,
not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now
you are not yet able, for you are still fleshly (1Cor 3:1-2).
- We have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you
have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers,
you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of
the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For
everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness,
for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice
have their senses trained to discern good and evil (Heb 5:11-14).
|
 |
|
