That ye may grow thereby

[Gabbylittleangel]

1Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

Hebrews 5:13-14 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.

Peter and the writer of Hebrews both speak of growing. What does it mean to 'grow' as a Christian? What is different between someone that is immature and someone that is mature in the faith? Is it a seniority issue? A knowledge issue? Skills and abilities?

 

[mutzrein]

Gabby – as babes in the flesh we cannot discern what is good for us. We are dependant on others for our wellbeing, guidance and sustenance. And this is because we are not developed physically & emotionally.

As babes in Christ, we are able to comprehend certain things naturally but will be filled with wonderment by the love and grace of our heavenly father. These babes have come to Christ with the faith & spiritual understanding of children and they are not able to understand the weightier matters of righteousness and discernment of good and evil as scripture confirms.

So what does it mean to grow as a Christian? For me, it means to walk day by day being nurtured and admonished by a loving heavenly Father and allowing him to lead & provide according to the needs that he alone can supply.

The difference in maturity is not rank or knowledge or skill level.
It is in understanding what it means for us to abide in Christ and He in us.

 

[unred typo]

Mutzrein wrote:These babes have come to Christ with the faith & spiritual understanding of children and they are not able to understand the weightier matters of righteousness and discernment of good and evil as scripture confirms.....

So what does it mean to grow as a Christian?

It is in understanding what it means for us to abide in Christ and He in us.

I agree. Very good answer.

.

 

[golfjack]

reply

My experience in my walk with the Lord is that He treats the Babes in Christ very gentle and has compassion for them. But after about a year, He expects more so you can have more responsibility. In other words, faith to faith, glory to glory, and victory to victory.



May God bless, golfjack

 

[lovely]

1 John 2
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.


Fathers seem to know God well. I had a minister once tell me that the thing I should strive for most in my walk is to know God for the purpose of becoming more like Him. Knowing God involves being tried, refined, and shaped by Him with anything He decides to use for this purpose. Pain, and suffering, seem to be used for this a lot. Philippians 3:10 "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death" Also, 1 Corinthians 2:6-16

Young men seem to have salvation, and know the Word of God. Perhaps they lack the experience of trials, and suffering, that seem to teach (by the Holy Spirit) us to draw closer to the Father...some sooner than others.
Psalm 119:11 "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."

Little children know Him, and have salvation, but seem to lack in areas of experience, and teaching. 1 Corinthians 3:1-4

1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 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.
3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

God grows us at His pace, and according to His purpose, and knows just when we are able to handle what. Our physical age doesn't have to play a part in this growth, in my opinion. The Lord bless all of you.