Memorise:
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
2 Peter 3:18
Read: Colossians 2:6-7
2:6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
2:7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
Message
Even though little children and babies enjoy many benefits such as
being carried, being assisted in every situation and receiving prompt
attention and care when they cry, it is not a desirable thing to remain a
baby or a child. It is neither in the interest of the child nor that of
its parents that a child or baby remains stagnant in growth and not
mature. In like manner, while Jesus as the Great Shepherd of his people
will gather the young ones with His arms and carry them in His bosom
(Isaiah 40:11), He would not be delighted in having them remain immature
indefinitely. To remain a babe in the faith for too long is to make
yourself a liability to the body of Christ and an unnecessary burden for
the leaders set over you. Such Christians don’t know their full rights
in Christ, and hence, the enemy takes advantage of their ignorance to
afflict them and cheat them. It is common knowledge that in the natural
world, children do funny things that can bring them harm, the same
applies spiritually. Spiritual babes can ignorantly inflict injury on
themselves by allowing the devil to make them do foolish things. Such
Christians will no doubt be carnal Christians. Besides, babies don’t
reproduce and God hates unfruitfulness (John 15:1-2). With these in
mind, it is therefore very undesirable to refuse to grow in your
Christian life. Now, how is a Christian expected to grow? This is
revealed in Colossians 2:6-7. “As ye have therefore received Christ
Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and
stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with
thanksgiving.”
Note from the above passage that there are two
directions of growth. Basically, a plant sends its root downwards, while
its stem and branches grows upward. It is the root growing deep in the
soil that gets food supply to support the stem, branches, leaves and
fruiting of the plant above. So also must the children of God keep
sending their roots deeper and deeper in Christ till an evident outward
expression of growth and maturity in Christian virtues, character and
wisdom is made manifest. Also, from the above passage, to achieve
spiritual growth, you must expose yourself to Bible teachings i.e. sound
doctrinal teachings that reveal the total counsel of God. You are not
helping yourself if you select only the things in the word of God that
suit you and neglect other instructions, warnings and chastisement.
Prayer Point:
Pray that the lord will help you to be consistent in exposing yourself
to provisions of God for your growth - studying, meditating, praying,
evangelising and obedience to the word of God.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR : 1 CHRONICLES 4:24-6:81 and PROVERBS 26:15-28
AUTHOR : Pastor E.A. ADEBOYE
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