Growing Strong And Sturdy In Faith
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto
spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in
Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).
In 1 Peter 2:2, the Bible says, “As newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that
ye may grow thereby.” Peter, here, was referring to
Christians who had just newly received salvation and
needed to feed on the sincere milk of the Word to
help them grow, which is okay.
But, in 1 Corinthians 3, Paul wasn’t referring to
new converts. He used the Greek word “nepios” which
refers to someone who is childish in behaviour, attitude,
understanding, and particularly, communication. He
rebuked the “nepios” for their continued need for milk
though they were no longer children. He said, “I have
fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye
were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able”
(1 Corinthians 3:2).
It’s like when we tell people who have been
Christians for a while, “God is going to heal you today.
He’ll make a way for you, where there’s no way. He’ll
do your fighting for you; just stand back and see the
salvation of the Lord.” That’s for “nepios”—babes.
Those who are mature don’t stand back to see the
salvation of the Lord; they have their spiritual senses
exercised, and go in the offensive to take what belongs
to them.
The Bible says, “For every one that useth milk
is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a
babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are
of full age, even those who by reason of use have
their senses exercised to discern both good and
evil” (Hebrews 5:13-14). Galatians 4:1 says, “…That
the heir, as long as he is a child (nepios), differeth
nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all.”
Did you see that? Though an inheritance belongs to
him, he’ll remain a servant as long as he’s a child. This
isn’t God’s dream for His children; He wants them to
grow spiritually.
Only the Word of God can make you grow up
strong and sturdy in faith. Give attention to God’s
Word; it’ll build you up spiritually, mentally, and
emotionally, and make you a champion in life.
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for building my spirit with your
Word, thereby causing me to grow strong and prevailing faith.
Your Word is my light and my life, and I desire it more than
my necessary food, longing for it even as the deer pants for the
water brooks, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further study:
2 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 4:14-15; Romans 10:17
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Luke 1:57-80
Deuteronomy 8-10
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Matthew 23:23-39
Exodus 26