Are You a “baby Christian”?

It’s every parent’s desire to see their children grow from babies to maturity and begin to handle important responsibilities. Your loving heavenly Father is the same way: God’s desire is for you to grow and mature spiritually! In 1 Peter 2:2, the Bible says, “As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” Peter, here, was referring to Christians who had just newly received salvation and needed to feed on the pure milk of the Word to help them grow, which is okay. But, in 1 Corinthians 3, Paul wasn’t referring to new converts. He used the Greek word “nepios” which refers to someone who is childish in behaviour, attitude, understanding, and particularly, communication.

He rebuked the “nepios” for their continued need for milk though they were no longer children. He said, “I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able” (1 Corinthians 3:2). It’s like when we tell people who have been Christians for a while, “God is going to heal you today. He’ll make a way for you, where there’s no way.” That’s for “nepios”—babes.

Those who are spiritually mature have their spiritual senses exercised and go in the offensive to take what belongs to them. The Bible says, “Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:1314 NIV).

Galatians 4:1 says, “Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all.” Did you see that? Though an inheritance belongs to him, he’ll remain a servant as long as he’s a child. Only the Word of God can make you grow up strong and sturdy in faith. Give attention to God’s Word; it’ll build you up spiritually, mentally, and emotionally, and make you a champion in life.