Growing Up

“Then we will no longer be children, forever changing our minds about what we believe …Instead we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ.”

-Ephesians 4:14-15

Taking care of a baby is so much fun yet very tedious and sacrificing on the part of the parents. Sleepless nights, preparing milk, diaper change, are among the roster of things to be done for the baby.  It is difficult to imagine tending the same baby for the next ten or twenty years who might be growing physically but not maturing and behaving according to his age.

God wants us to grow up and not to remain an infant for the rest of our lives. Sad to say, there are many Christians who are stuck in spiritual infancy. They are enjoying being “infants” although it is already unbecoming to them – remaining in diapers and bottles. God is pleased with child-like Christians, not childish ones.

Unlike physical growth wherein growth is inevitable, spiritual growth is not something automatic. It needs a strong decision and intentional commitment for us to grow.  We need to desire to grow. We must make an effort to grow. We need to persist to grow. Passiveness is a barrier to spiritual growth.

We must grow with our relationship with God. We need to mature in character. We need to bear fruit. We cannot remain infants as there are many newborn Christians who need “fathers” to take care of them. We need to expand our responsibilities.

People who changed the world are not infants but grown-ups. As Christians, we need to become change-agents. We cannot change the world when we are stuck in perpetual infancy.

There are people around us who need a touch from God. Many are in desperate conditions, in need of a Savior. They are just waiting for somebody who could direct them to God. Friend, if you have Christ, you will be just as excited to care for others, telling them about Him. If you desire to grow up in your walk with God, then stop worrying about your life. Look around you, and start caring for the lost and dying souls. Pass on His love to others by being pro-active, sensitive, and by speaking the truth in love.

If you don’t have Christ yet, realize that He loves you. He loved you first, and He loves you unconditionally. It is no accident you are reading this article today. Jesus has been reaching out to you all your life. Will you respond to him in Spirit and in truth? If you do, He will give you eternal life.

“My Father and my God, I realize that I need to grow in my relationship with You. I do not want to become a spiritual infant for the rest of my life. Help me to mature. Use me mightily for your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen.”