HINDRANCES TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH (4)
Since grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly and righteously, then shouldn't we grow in this grace in order to walk in total victory? (See Titus 2:11,12)
And since the word of God says that this grace is multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus, it is most expedient that we grow in this grace and in the knowledge of God (2 Pet. 1:2, 3:18)
Do we now see the need to grow spiritually?
A toddler cannot walk as uprightly and firmly as an adult would. A baby cannot even walk at all - he/she has to be carried around by others. The same applies spiritually. It is not enough to experience the new birth - to be born again. We need to grow in the new life.
Everyone is born again as a baby Christian. Anyone who does not grow will remain a baby Christian, and among other things, he or she will keep rising and falling in his walk of faith, just like a baby in the natural world.
Let's move on.
In my last post about the revelation for spiritual growth (you can read it here if you missed it), I promised to explain the meaning of the vision further.
The toddler was limping towards me in the vision. On close examination, I found out that she had broken hip bones. Of course, that's what made her to limp.
Now, in the natural world, a bone problem is usually as a result of calcium deficiency. When the body lacks adequate calcium, bone deformation sets in. The baby had calcium deficiency. And we know that calcium is gotten from milk, especially for babies. This baby was not taking adequate milk.
Remember, the vision was showing my spiritual stature.
I was not having adequate intake of something very essential for proper spiritual formation. What could it be? MILK!
MILK? What's milk in the spiritual, Scriptural sense?
Let's consider what Apostle Peter said in 1 Pet. 2:2, "As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Did you read that? The word is good for the spirit, but to a baby Christian it is considered as milk. Of course, babies take milk till they grow and are able to eat stronger food.
Let's hear from Apostle Paul also. In Hebrews 5:11-14, he says
There is much more I would like to say along these lines, but you don’t seem to listen, so it’s hard to make you understand.
You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to the place where you need someone to teach you all over again the very first principles in God’s Word. You are like babies who can drink only milk, not old enough for solid food. And when a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life, and doesn’t know much about the difference between right and wrong. He is still a baby Christian! You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong and practice doing it.
When I had this understanding, brothers and sisters, I sought for the word diligently. I gave myself to the study of the word. I committed my time to studying God's word, and yes, I grew. My mind was enlightened. I had more knowledge and understanding.
No wonder Apostle Paul prayed for his new converts in Ephesians: I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for you. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. (Eph. 1:17-19)
Dearly beloved, another hindrance to your spiritual growth is: LACK OF THE WORD OF GOD.
I encourage you to desire the word and commit yourself to becoming more and more acquainted with the word of God. Study to show yourself approved.
Esteem it even above your necessary physical food, and you will grow; whether you're newly born again, baby Christian or a mature believer, continuing eating the food of the Spirit that ye may grow thereby.
I love you deeply. God bless you
And since the word of God says that this grace is multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus, it is most expedient that we grow in this grace and in the knowledge of God (2 Pet. 1:2, 3:18)
Do we now see the need to grow spiritually?
A toddler cannot walk as uprightly and firmly as an adult would. A baby cannot even walk at all - he/she has to be carried around by others. The same applies spiritually. It is not enough to experience the new birth - to be born again. We need to grow in the new life.
Everyone is born again as a baby Christian. Anyone who does not grow will remain a baby Christian, and among other things, he or she will keep rising and falling in his walk of faith, just like a baby in the natural world.
Let's move on.
In my last post about the revelation for spiritual growth (you can read it here if you missed it), I promised to explain the meaning of the vision further.
The toddler was limping towards me in the vision. On close examination, I found out that she had broken hip bones. Of course, that's what made her to limp.
Now, in the natural world, a bone problem is usually as a result of calcium deficiency. When the body lacks adequate calcium, bone deformation sets in. The baby had calcium deficiency. And we know that calcium is gotten from milk, especially for babies. This baby was not taking adequate milk.
Remember, the vision was showing my spiritual stature.
I was not having adequate intake of something very essential for proper spiritual formation. What could it be? MILK!
MILK? What's milk in the spiritual, Scriptural sense?
Let's consider what Apostle Peter said in 1 Pet. 2:2, "As newborn babies, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." Did you read that? The word is good for the spirit, but to a baby Christian it is considered as milk. Of course, babies take milk till they grow and are able to eat stronger food.
Let's hear from Apostle Paul also. In Hebrews 5:11-14, he says
There is much more I would like to say along these lines, but you don’t seem to listen, so it’s hard to make you understand.
You have been Christians a long time now, and you ought to be teaching others, but instead you have dropped back to the place where you need someone to teach you all over again the very first principles in God’s Word. You are like babies who can drink only milk, not old enough for solid food. And when a person is still living on milk it shows he isn’t very far along in the Christian life, and doesn’t know much about the difference between right and wrong. He is still a baby Christian! You will never be able to eat solid spiritual food and understand the deeper things of God’s Word until you become better Christians and learn right from wrong and practice doing it.
When I had this understanding, brothers and sisters, I sought for the word diligently. I gave myself to the study of the word. I committed my time to studying God's word, and yes, I grew. My mind was enlightened. I had more knowledge and understanding.
No wonder Apostle Paul prayed for his new converts in Ephesians: I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for you. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! I pray that you will begin to understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him. (Eph. 1:17-19)
Dearly beloved, another hindrance to your spiritual growth is: LACK OF THE WORD OF GOD.
I encourage you to desire the word and commit yourself to becoming more and more acquainted with the word of God. Study to show yourself approved.
Esteem it even above your necessary physical food, and you will grow; whether you're newly born again, baby Christian or a mature believer, continuing eating the food of the Spirit that ye may grow thereby.
I love you deeply. God bless you
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