Grow Up

“Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.

- unknown

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

- St. Peter, 1 Peter 2:1-3

Our salvation is a free gift from God. But, don’t misunderstand… it was costly, for it cost Jesus His very life. As a result of what Jesus did for us, our sins are forgiven, we are set free from the penalty of death, and we are offered eternal life.

However, it was never meant to be a ticket to Heaven, mere fire insurance. It was instead meant to offer us an opportunity to forge a relationship with the Almighty God, to become His child, joint heirs in all that His Kingdom has to offer, but now and forevermore.

When we first come to know Jesus, we were babes in Christ, still working at surrendering our earthly desires to Him, drinking spiritual milk in an effort to grow up in Him.

But, as time goes on, we are not to remain as babes, but we are to mature in our relationship with Him. The Bible describes the process this way:

The Apostle Peter in 1 Peter 2:2,

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

The Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:2

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.

The writer of Hebrews in Hebrews 5:13-14,

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Then Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:11-13,

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

Just as Jesus, as a child, grew in wisdom and stature, we are not to remain as babies in Christ. We are to grow up in our salvation, moving from milk to meat, becoming mature followers of Jesus, men and women who are led by the Spirit of God who:

• Admit their need for Jesus.

• Exhibit a genuine love for God displayed by a life of faith.

• Are quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry. (James 1:19)

• Trust God regardless of the circumstances.

• Are obedient to God regardless of the cost.

• Demonstrate kindness, compassion, grace, forgiveness, humility and generosity – even to their enemies.

• Look for ways to spur other believers on to faith and good works.

• Foster unity in the Body of Christ.

• Actively share their faith.

• Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing personal and spiritual growth.

May we grow up, continuing to work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in us to will and act according to His good purpose.

Pastor Ken

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