Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today- September 6, 2010
“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.” Hebrews 5:13-14
Some have been saved by the Lord, but not sanctified by the Lord. Fulfilled followers of Jesus not only have their “fire insurance” from hell, but they are learning how to live for heaven. We are saved by grace through faith, and then we grow in grace by faith. Mature believers desire the meat of God’s word and are not satisfied with sipping on milk alone.
Like an infant some Christians cannot take care of themselves, much less the needs of others. They have never advanced beyond the basic teachings in righteousness and have avoided training themselves to discern good and evil. Those who fail to grow in grace miss the blessing of experiencing the fullness of God’s grace. Infant Christians are needy.
“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” (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Its ok to be a babe in Christ, but it is not ok to remain a babe in Christ. So, has your faith flourished beyond your initial confession of faith? Are you growing or backsliding? It’s a sin and a shame for a child of God to not put away childish traits and embrace the truth of Scripture. Its hurts the Christian brand when Christians fail to move forward in their faith.
“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me” (1 Corinthians 13:11).
Infant Christians draw attention to themselves; mature Christians point people to Jesus. Infant Christians are enamored by earthly rewards, mature Christians store up heavenly rewards. Infant Christians obsess over their needs, mature Christians serve the needs of others. Infant Christians forget God and worry, mature Christians remember God and pray. So seek the Lord and learn from Him how to grow in grace. Maturity wants more.
“Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12).
How can the understanding and application of Scripture become a routine in my faith?
Related Readings: Isaiah 28:23-29; Ezekiel 37:23; Luke 8:14-15; 1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Boyd Bailey is the author of Wisdom Hunters daily devotional and two devotional books, Infusion and Seeking Daily the Heart of God
