Growing in Christ
"And I brethren,
could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto
babes in Christ. 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. For ye are yet carnal:
for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not
carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of
Apollos; are ye not carnal?" 1 Corinthians 3:1-4 KJV
Did you know that your physical age has no connection to your spiritual maturity
as a Christian? Many people in the Church get puffed up with pride because they
say that they have been a Christian for over 10, 20, 30, and even 50 years, yet
they have not grown in Christ any further since the day they were saved. The
Bible tells us there are two kinds of Christians. The first being "spiritual,"
and the other being "carnal." This is a very important topic in the Church
today, and it deserves our full attention.
A "spiritual" Christian is not only a hearer, but also a doer of the Word (James
1:22). They put their faith into action. A "spiritual" Christian's actions are
motivated by the Holy Spirit and not by the lusts of the flesh; they walk in a
greater dimension of faith. The "spiritual" Christian seeks first the Kingdom of
God and understands the principles of God's Word.
Now that is only a brief description of a "spiritual" Christian, because I want
to go on to describe to you in more depth--the "carnal" Christian.
A "carnal" Christian will rarely, or never even take the time to study and read
the Bible. They would rather read their newspaper or fulfill their own lusts.
The only time they pray is before a meal, merely out of family tradition. The
"carnal" Christian will always believe their five senses (see, taste, touch,
feel, hear) more than what God has said in His Holy Word about a situation.
Faith to the "carnal" Christian is foolishness, saying you must have "common
sense." These people totally neglect God's Word and live according to their
opinion based on natural circumstances going on around them. Sometimes they will
ask God to help them, and then make their prayers void by the doubt and unbelief
that comes out of their mouth! Going to church for the "carnal" is just a Sunday
tradition, and the Pastor had better not preach for more than 30 minutes or they
will walk out. The "carnal" Christian fails to realize they should be allowing
God to lead the service, not how long they can maintain a comfort level. These
people sing "Holy, Holy, Holy" on Sunday, and then they live and talk like the
devil for the rest of the week. They have seemed to forgotten the verse,
"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship (to have in
common with) of the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a
friend of the world is the enemy of God." James 4:4 KJV
I think you now have a clear picture of a "carnal" Christian. Wouldn't it be
strange to see an adult wearing a diaper and holding a bottle? That is what a
"carnal" Christian looks like in the spirit realm. Some have been Christians for
many years, but they have not grown up spiritually. Why? First, I believe a lot
of Christians when they get saved bring in "junk" and "worldly" thinking with
them into the church. Now don't get me wrong. We must understand that there is a
process to growing in the maturity of Christ. We don't become mature overnight.
As we desire to move up in the things of God, He begins to show us the "worldly"
things we engage in that are not pleasing to Him. It is then our duty to begin
to "clean house" so to speak, and rid ourselves of them (Ephesians 4:22).
However, as mentioned earlier, far too many of us never get past the "diaper"
stage and we remain tied to our old ways of thinking and living.
Secondly, read the following Scriptures:
"For when 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 everyone that useth milk is
unskillful in the Word of righteousness: For he is a babe." Hebrews 5:12-13 KJV
"Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go unto
perfection (maturity); not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead
works, and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms (notice--more than
one baptism), and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. And this will we do, if God permit." Hebrews 6:1-3 KJV
I want you to notice from Hebrews 5 that the spiritual immaturity came from a
lack of foundation in God's Word, or "the first principles of the oracles of
God." Hebrews 6 calls them, "the principles of the doctrine of Christ." The next
verse says, "let us go unto perfection," or maturity. Hebrews 6 goes on to list
the foundational principles from God's Word...
1. Repentance from dead works
2. Faith toward God
3. Doctrine of baptisms
4. Laying on of hands
5. Resurrection of the dead
6. Eternal judgment
Verse three tells us that we can't move on past these foundation stones in the
Christian walk unless God permits. In other words, before you can go on to
spiritual maturity you must be grounded in these basic foundational truths.
I think it's time we all need to take a close look at our relationship with God.
If you can identify yourself as being a "carnal" Christian, you can repent now
and start over again! It takes being a doer of the Word and not a hearer only
(James 1:22). Just knowing the Word of God will not make you more Christ-like.
You must apply it to every part of your life.
Some of the things you will learn from God's Word will not always coincide with
your traditions, mind sets or personal opinions. It's time to lay them aside and
allow God to work within you so that you will truly become a man or woman after
His own heart and after His will for your life. Keep in mind, we can't expect to
grow to spiritual maturity if we do not spend time with God reading His Word,
praying, and taking the time to praise and worship Him. You must have an open
and willing heart to receive the Truth of God's Word, and let us go onto
perfection in the mighty Name of Jesus!
P.O. Box 338, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307
(231) 796-8228
