Drink Your Milk So You'll Grow Big and Strong

Ephesians 4:15
But speaking the truth in love, we are to GROW UP in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Christ.

Growing up in Christ is not the same thing as physically growing up.
The physical part just kind of happens whether you want it to or not.
Growing in Christ requires effort on our part.
Effort in the form of following the leading of the Holy Spirit.
John Wimber, founder of the Vineyard Association of Churches, use to say, "I want to grow up before I grow older." What he meant was that he wanted to be a mature Christian and not be kept in a spiritual nursery because he had not allowed God to work in his life.

Growing up means that you have character change. You don't see the world as you use to. You see it through the eyes of Christ. You feel more deeply as God creates in you a "new heart." You come to the realization that this world is not your home, and has nothing to offer you. You find yourself falling in love with His Word. You don't just read any more, you study. The words you read become a part of you and it brings change. That is all part of the growing up process.

I Peter 2:1-2 shows this maturing process: Therefore, putting aside all malice and all guile and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the  word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.
Notice the change of character? We no longer harbor room in our hearts for deceit and personal hatred. We find contentment with our own lot and state of well being. You want hear many preachers talk about character development, but it is at the heart of our salvation. For many, they take that first step of being saved and then simply quit, remaining to be a spiritual infant and babe their entire life. I think God is tired of running a perpetual nursery. He is looking for men and women who are ready to be about the business of the Kingdom.  Loving as He loves. Praying for others. Visiting those in need and helping them. And telling the good news of Jesus Christ.

I do want to grow up before I grow older.
God on you....
mb