Spiritual growth just as physical growth requires nourishment.  As a father of two, I would never think about not feeding them.  Lack of nourishment would cause stunted growth, and possibly death.  Most parents would like to see their children grow up a little slower, though I would venture to say none would expect, nor want them to remain infants for twenty or thirty years.  As parents, we have the responsibility to feed and nurture our children, and to provide for their education.  We watch them grow both in stature and in their mental capabilities, expecting them to venture out on their own when the proper time arrives.

The spiritual body of the Christian is somewhat similar to the physical body.  The unconverted sinner is dead in his sins (Ephesians 2:1-2) and must be born again (John 3:5-7).  God’s plan for man is for every one who is to be saved to know him (Jeremiah 31:31-34).  Wherein He says “I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33) He means that we must learn.  Our “inward parts”, he is referring to is our mind, and the way to get something into our mind is to study.  God has provided us the means to study and learn about Him through the Holy Scriptures (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16).  This is the only way man has of obtaining the knowledge and obedient faith needed to please God “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).  “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  His word tells us how we are to be born again once we believe, for believing only gives us the right to become sons of God “But as many as received him, to them gave he the right to become children of God, (even) to them that believe on his name” (John 1:12 ASV).  One must also repent of his sins for God has commanded such “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” (Acts 17:30).  Those who fail to do so will perish (Luke 13:1-5).  Confession is necessary for if we deny Christ before men, He will deny us before the Father (Matthew 10:32-33).  One must also be immersed, baptized in water for the forgiveness of sins.
 

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16).

...Now why tarriest thou?  Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16).

Baptism is not a work, merely obedience to God’s will.  “But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour (Titus 3:4-6).  Once the sinner has obeyed, he walks in newness of life (Romans 6:1-6) as a newborn babe.
The Christian’s responsibility is to grow to maturity (2 Peter 3:18) by studying God’s word “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2).  Through study, we show ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15) by knowing His will for us and doing it.  “And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them” (Deuteronomy 17:19).  Study of God’s word brings us closer to Him and meditation keeps us from sinning against the Lord (Psalms 119:11).

Sadly, many today are satisfied being spiritual infants, perhaps feeling that it is unneeded for them to grow.  Lack of study however, prevents us from rightly discerning good from evil.  “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.  For every one that useth milk is unskillful 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 5:12-14).

Let us take an example from David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) and all become spiritual giants!

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward” (Psalms 19:7-11). (Emphasis added (MH).
 

Scriptures are taken from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

©2001 This paper may be freely distributed as long as there is no cost to others and no changes to the content of any material in this paper.
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