The rate at which infants mature is astonishing. From the womb, they grow larger and develop further by the day! Growth is magnified after birth in the early weeks and months of life, accelerating by the year!
It’s evident: we are meant to grow. And not just physically.
Scripture likens the miracle of salvation to the miracle of birth. Jesus insists that “unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). Thankfully, He isn’t suggesting we “enter a second time into [our] mother’s womb and be born,” but instead be “born of water and the Spirit,” since “that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit” (4-6).
To belong to God, we must die to our carnal nature and be resurrected into His divine one.
“We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life … So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”
– Romans 6:4, 11
When we renounce ourselves and our sins, we become new creatures in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), considered babes in faith (1 Corinthians 3:1). Paul fed such believers “with milk, not solid food, for [they] were not ready for it” (2).
Like our own infancy, we begin the Christian life with basic nutrients: truths found in the Word of God. We’re sustained by increasing measures of teaching until introduced to deeper mysteries. We start to crave that solid diet for nourishment and pleasure.
Peter uses the same language.
“Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.”
– 1 Peter 2:2-3
John delineates these stages of growth:
“I am writing to you, little children,
because your sins are forgiven for His name's sake.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.
I write to you, children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know Him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
because you are strong,
and the word of God abides in you,
and you have overcome the evil one.”
– 1 John 2:12-14
Proper development unfolds by the Holy Spirit when we faithfully feed ourselves Scripture.
God’s Provision: God’s Word is the sanctifying tool sculpting our lives (John 17:17). Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness … shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6).
Word of the Week: Sufficient. Scripture contains everything needed for “life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3) and is “profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Abby
