GROWING UP TO MATURITY

Text:

1 Peter 2:2 KJV

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Growth is a significant aspect of human life. Growth starts right away after conception as the fetus begins to take different forms and shapes till the day of delivery. Right after this, there is a time the baby is expected to sit unaided, and also a time to start crawling, standing and eventually walking and It is always a sort of concern to every parent when this is delayed.

I remembered some months ago, when my wife ran to the sitting room with a great joy to announce to me that Gozie(our baby that was then eleven months stood up unassisted for the very first time, today he is already walking)

In this same vain, it should be the joy of every christian not only to grow spiritually but also monitor and encourage such spiritual maturity in his children even as they grow physically and mentally. 'And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him — Luke 2:40 KJV. It is not just enough to say we are saved, it is not also enough to say we know Christ while we continue to dwell in spiritual stagnancy, 'Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment— Hebrews 6:1-2 KJV

God has shown us the way to spiritual growth. He wants us not just to read the bible but also to meditate and apply what we read in our daily living. In the Word of God are the answers to all the questions and puzzles of life. In it lies the power to do all things through Christ Jesus; to win all battles and to keep standing(Joshua 1:8, Philippians 4:13).

When we are not growing, we are at the risk of receiving 'another gospel' (man's doctrine rather than God's). Galatians 1:6 KJV 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.' Our lives and ways will be built and shaped according to theirs and not Christ's, and we live everyday at their mercy, 'And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you(2 Peter 2:3 KJV). We will also be at the risk of abandoning our first love and clinging to denominational dictum at the expense of the Word of God and in so doing, we will no longer jealously guide our salvation, 'Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ— Colossians 2:8 KJV.

Wrong Doctrine will impede our spiritual growth. We need to be at the right place where we can received the Word undiluted from the man on the Pulpit. We neglect this to our own peril.

The Church is not just a social gathering. It is the body of Christ, therefore every teaching must be in conformity with this single objective: 'To conform to the image of Christ'(Rom. 8:29). But where this is not so, you owe yourselve a great deal to walk away and ask the Holy Spirit to direct your steps to the right place. Ephesians 4:14 says, 'That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to' KJV.

Continue to grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Remain Blessed!