That Ye Be No More Children

That Ye Be No More Children

"Then we will no longer be like children, forever changing our minds about what we believe because someone has told us something different, or has cleverly lied to us and made the lie sound like the truth." - The Living Bible Paraphrased

"The life of a Christian is a growth; he is at first born of God, and is a little child; becomes a young man, and a father in Christ. Every father was once an infant; and had he not grown, he would have never been a man. Those who content themselves with the grace they received when converted to God, are, at best, in a continual state of infancy: but we find, in the order of nature, that the infant that does not grow, and grow daily, too, is sickly and soon dies; so, in the order of grace, those who do not grow up into Jesus Christ are sickly, and will soon die, die to all sense and influence of heavenly things...There are many who boast of the grace of their conversion; persons who were never more than babes, and have long since lost even that grace, because they did not grow in it. Let him that readeth understand. - Adam Clarke Commentary

The Holy Spirit has one word for the Body of Christ today. Here it is - "Thus saith the Lord...Grow up!"

So many get saved and never go much further than that. Or else they will start out with a "bang," but after a period of time, they stop praying, fasting, giving, reading the Bible, or witnessing like they should. Before you know it, they have been walking with the Lord for 30 years and are still very immature - spiritually speaking.

The Apostle Paul made it very plain and clear to the Ephesian believers what every Christian's main objective should be - "But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ"(Ephesians 4:15).

The Comprehensive Commentary said it this way - "It is a continuous objective of the Christian to become more like Christ."

In other words, your life should reflect a continual growth of Christ's traits - a growth into His likeness. On a daily basis, you should be increasing in grace and life...going forward in the way of truth and holiness...increasing in the exercise of faith, hope, and love...and growing in such qualities as - humility, patience, self-denial, the resignation of your will to His, and the knowledge of Christ.

More and more you should be growing in your acquaintance with...faith in...love to.. and dependence upon Him. You should be developing more and more into that mature, full-grown spiritual man or woman.

The question is - Are you?

In 2 Peter 3:18, the Apostle Peter had this to say - "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and for ever. Amen."

Here he was exhorting the saints to continue - growing in faith, virtue, and knowledge...believing, loving, and obeying...appropriating grace to their lives...and growing in their spiritual lives by means of that grace. They were to follow on to know the Lord - His person, office, work, and character...labor to know Him more fully...love Him better...and be more like Him.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, the Apostle Paul implies how this entire growth process is carried out when he says - "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

In a sense, this is what He is saying here - All Christians are to reflect God's character in their lives. How are they to do that? By gazing upon the glory of the Lord as it is reflected through the Gospels or the Word of God.

In ancient times, mirrors were made of polished metal - which reflected any images with great brilliancy and distinctness. Paul compares the Gospel to a mirror which reflects the infinite glories and full splendor of God to the minds and hearts of all who look into it. It manifests His splendor, majesty, and holiness.

The remarkable thing about this mirror is that as you gaze into it - it transforms you into its very image - by continuous successions of glory streaming upon you from the Lord. The more you look at this Likeness of Glory - as revealed in the Word - the more you become like Him. You are conformed to that which shines there with much splendor. You are taken from one degree of glory to another. You behold the Light and the Light - in turn - shines through you. You contemplate the truths of Christ and your spirit becomes saturated with His Spirit.

It all happens - "...even as by the Spirit of the Lord." He causes this supernatural transformation to take place.

Isn't that absolutely amazing?

So, the more you - as a Christian - read and study the Bible - the more you will reflect Christ's likeness and character to others. The Holy Spirit will make it happen.

Knowing this - some questions come to mind -

why are there so many believers who are feeble...inexperienced...unsteady...unstable...easily deceived, influenced, or imposed upon...changeable...full of ambition, pride, and haughtiness...or led astray? Why are there so many who are children in knowledge...weak in the faith...and inconstant in judgment when they could and should be reflecting the strong, unwavering character of Christ?

They are like ships - tossed about by every varying wind of teaching, idea, or perspective. They have no settled principles. They form their opinions as a gambler who throws dice - everything is haphazard or by chance.

Seeing such fickleness among the believers, Paul exhorted the Ephesians with these words - "That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive"(Ephesians 4:14).

The Holy Spirit is saying the same to the believers of today.

No longer be like children - always changing your mind about what you believe - based on some new teaching or doctrine. Stop chasing after those who are making the lie sound like the truth. Know what you believe - based on the Word of God - and let no one or nothing move you from it.

When you were born again, you were a babe in Christ. But you are not to remain in a continual state of infancy where you cannot make decisions on your own. You are not to depend on some great Preacher to lead you around or pray you through.

The Holy Spirit is calling out to the Church - "Grow up! Be no more children!"

Let's get real here. If you are not growing up into Jesus on a daily basis...not becoming stable or steadfast in the faith...not getting stronger and stronger in your stand against temptation and sin...or not displaying or seeing the power of God demonstrated in your life - and you have been walking with Jesus for many years now - then you are sickly and on the spiritual road that leads to death.

O Saint of God, it's time to throw away the Pampers and to grow up!

It's time to stop expecting Preachers to cater to your every whim and fancy and for you to receive the Truth.

It's time like never before to "pour yourself over" the pages of the Bible until the Bible is pouring out of you - to the extent whereby you readily reflect the image of Christ to all.

Be no more children - but Grow up!

Spiritually speaking - are you wearing the same clothes that you wore last year? Or have you had to get a larger size in your Holy Armour, Garment of Praise, Robe of Righteousness, Mantle of the Double Portion of God's Spirit, etc.?

If you don't want others to classify you as a spiritual babe - then what evidence is in your life right at this moment to prove that you are not one?

May God Bless His Word.

Connie

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