FROM SPIRITUAL INFANCY TO MATURITY

2 Peter 3:17,18 Growth is one of the clearest signs of life. Growth is always an indication of being in good health. Every living thing created by God is expected to grow, develop and mature. A newborn baby is not expected to remain in infancy forever; growth is the natural evidence of health and life. In the same way, God never intended the believer to remain spiritually weak, unstable or immature. The Christian life is a journey of continuous growth from spiritual infancy to spiritual maturity. The believer is a new babe in Christ and God expects such to grow: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). Growth is never automatic. 1) BENEFITING FROM THE BIBLE: 👇👇👇 1 Peter 2:2; Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2,5; Acts 14:8-10; Ephesians 6:14,17; Matthew 4:4,7,10; John 5:39; 8:32; Psalm 119:98-100,105; 19:11; 1 Corinthians 13:11 (1) Divine mandate for the believer (1 Peter 2:2) God has said that we should “desire the SINCERE milk of the word” (1 Peter 2:2). This is not a suggestion, it is a mandate. It is not an option, it is compulsory. Don’t desire POISONED milk. That can only kill. Desire the SINCERE milk of the word. Error damns the soul. Beware of false prophets! (Jehovah’s witnesses, Mormons, etc.) (Matthew 7:15-21). (2) The pathway to healthy growth (1 Peter 2:2) Consistent and healthy growth in the christian life comes by soaking in the word of God. Good food is essential to growth. God’s word is our food, the bread of life. (3) Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17; Galatians 3:2,5; Acts 14:8-10) Faith for life’s demanding journey, faith that is capable of confronting challenges etc. comes by hearing, reading, studying and meditating on the word of God. (4) The weapon of our warfare against satanic temptations (Matthew 4:4,7,10) Jesus overcame the three fiery temptations that Satan threw at Him by quoting the word: “It is written” (Matthew 4:4,7,10). How shall we know what is written except than to hear, read, study, meditate in and memorize the word of God? The word of God is the sword of the Spirit as well as the belt of truth, essential components of the whole armour of God (Ephesians 6:14,17). (5) Enriching knowledge and intimacy with Christ (John 5:39) The scriptures testify of Christ. We can only acquire the enriching knowledge of Christ as well as intimacy with Christ by searching the scriptures. (6) Establishment in the freedom-giving truth (John 8:32) Instability is detrimental to progress and excellence (Genesis 49:4). Establishment in the truth that sets free comes by studying the word (2 Peter 1:12). (7) Wisdom for fruitful and successful living (Psalm 119:98-100,105) Wisdom for fruitful living and successful achievement comes from knowing the word of God (Psalm 119:98,99). The word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Psalm 1119:105). (8) The pathway of blessing (Psalm 19:11) Obedience to the word brings great reward (Luke 11:28; Psalm 19:7-11; Isaiah 1:19). Building our life upon the word is like building on an immovable foundation (Matthew 7:24-27). 2) BONDING WITH THE BRETHREN 👇👇👇 Psalm 133:1-3; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Luke 5:6,7; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26; Hebrews 6:12; 10:25; Romans 12:11; Colossians 2:6,7 Commitment to worship and constancy in the exercise of it is the pathway to growth. Fellowship with other believers builds strength in the christian life. Though a single stick of broom is weak and vulnerable, a collective bunch is almost indestructible. So is fellowship and partnership with other believers (Psalm 133:1-3; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). Isolation and refusal to gather together with other believers of like precious faith is damaging. It could short-circuit our blessing. But partnership with others helps us to enjoy God’s best (Luke 5:6,7; 1 Corinthians 12:12-26). Constancy in worship and attendance at fellowship meetings enables us to enjoy the variety, diversity and richness of the gifts of God’s people as they minister one to another. Whether we are strong or weak, we need to be in attendance at the local church meetings. 3) BURDEN FOR THE BROKEN 👇👇👇 Matthew 28:18-20; 9:36-38; 13:3-8,44-46; Mark 16:15-20; 9:22; John 20:21; Acts 1:8; 8:26-35; Psalm 68:11 We grow by testifying of our faith in Christ. We must not allow the Great Commission to become The Great Omission in our lives (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8). Sinners are like sheep without shepherd, ship without rudder, an aeroplane without a compass and we must have compassion on them and help them (Matthew 9:36-38; Mark 9:22). Many are travelling the fast lane to hell. Our preaching of the gospel can restrain them from falling off a precipice. We need to warn the careless of the danger of hell fire. We need to enlighten the ignorant of the value of seeking the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:44-46).