12 JULY

GROWING UP

“Like new born infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation.” (1 Peter 2:2)

It has been established that breast milk is the most digestible and nourishing milk for human babies. Milk is indispensable for the healthy growth of the baby. Just as babies start sucking as soon as they are born, so new believers should crave spiritual milk.

In our verse for today, Peter is encouraging new Christians to feed on the pure spiritual milk. This encompasses the more easily digestible truths of the Christian doctrine that are given to new believers. Edward Skidmore categorises these basic truths (teachings), as contained in Hebrews 6:1-2 into three:

God-ward truths – repentance and faith; Man-ward truths – baptism and laying on of hands, as the sharing of blessings in a local assembly; Future truths – resurrection of the dead and eternal judgement.

Just as a new-born baby drinks milk, so a new Christian “drinks” this spiritual milk and grows to the next stage, where he can digest semi-solids and eventually solids, with physical evidences of growth. If the baby continues on milk, long after he should be taking solids, his growth will be stunted; so will a believer who sticks to just the basic lessons and does not move on to the hard truths of the gospel.

The Word and prayers are indispensable for the growth of a new believer.

ACTION: It is not enough to bring converts to Christ. It is important to feed them with the Word and spiritual truths and pray for and with them till Christ is formed in them. How many converts are you nurturing for Christ presently?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, guide me through the path of spiritual growth and maturity through your Word, and help me to do same for others.