Focus: Grow Up!

Text: 1Cor.3:1

"Babes in Christ."

There is nothing wrong in being a child, but there is everything wrong in remaining a child. Arrested development is not normal; it's a serious problem.

God wants us to grow up in our relationship and fellowship with Him, develop our faith-muscles, and increase in our spiritual knowledge. Growth involves moving from faith to faith, grace to grace, strength to strength, and glory to glory. We are all born into the family of God as spiritual infants - babes in Christ, but to remain perpetually as spiritual infants is an anomaly. It is tantamount to being a carnal Christian. 

What's life without growth? Growth is part of life, and it's of essence that we grow. The writer of Hebrews says, "For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat" (Heb.5:12). Infants are potential adults, but it's a tragedy when potential adults remain infants for life, when those used to milk never mature to becoming strong meat-eaters, and when those who are expected to be teachers are still grappling with preschool learning. It's indeed an awful tragedy. As members of Christ's mystical body, we are required and expected to "grow up into him in all things" (Eph.4:15).

Growth is an integral part of life. Whatever has life in itself is capable of growing.

The psalmist says, "The righteous shall FLOURISH like the palm tree: he shall GROW like a cedar in Lebanon" (Ps.92:12). Peter says, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1Pet.2:2). He says again, "But GROW in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen" (2Pet.3:18). We are to grow into Him in all things. We are to grow in grace. 

Paul says, "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith GROWETH exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2Thes.1:3). 

In a proper spiritual environment faith and love are capable of growing exceedingly.

Daniel tells the king, "It is thou, O king, that art GROWN and become strong: for thy greatness is GROWN, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth" (Dan.4:22). I pray for all of us to grow up and excel in facets of our lives.

In Ezekiel, we read, "I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown" (Ezk.16:7). The psalmist says, "That our sons may be as plants GROWN UP in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner stones, polished after the similitude of a palace" (Ps.144:12). Stephen says concerning Israel in Egypt, "But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people GREW and MULTIPLIED in Egypt" (Act.7:17). Moses wrote, "But the more they afflicted them, the more they MULTIPLIED and GREW. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel" (Ex.1:12). Our growth makes the enemy to grieve. He hates to watch us grow. Our growth sickens him.

Growth is life's phenomenon. Growth is lovely. Concerning the Word made flesh, we read, "And the child GREW, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him" (Lk.2:40).

Grace is capacity for spiritual development. Growth is a vital sign that grace is upon you.

We learn about Samuel that "the child Samuel grew before the LORD" (1Sam.2:21). Again, we read, "And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men" (1Sam.2:26). He grew on. As far as growth was concerned, Samuel kept advancing, maturing and excelling. Again, we read, "And Samuel GREW, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground" (1Sam.3:19).

You can grow in the presence of the Lord. It is said of David the he "went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him" (2Sam.5:10). It is said of Samson, "And the child grew, and the LORD blessed him" (Judg.13:24). God cherishes and blesses growth.

Paul, writing to the church in Thessaloniki, says, "that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth" (2Thes.1:3). Paul prayed "exceedingly" to be able to visit them and to share a great fellowship with them. Praying exceedingly - that's growth. We need growth; it's a sign of life. Let's grow up!

by Bishop Moses E. Peter