OceanSide church of Christ

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WHAT GROWTH IS, AND WHAT IT IS NOT

Victor M. Eskew

 

            When a person becomes a Christian, he is born into the family of God.  Jesus refers to this as being “born again” in John 3:3.  When an individual is “born again,” he is a babe in Christ.  He is like unto an infant in a physical family.  From the day one is born again until the day he departs from this life, God expects him to grow.  “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1 Pet. 2:2).  “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever.  Amen” (2 Pet. 3:18). 

            In order to grow, one needs to understand what growth is and what it is not.  First, growth is always a forward movement toward maturity.  A person who matures is one who develops.  He reaches various milestones in the growth process.  Eventually, the individual reaches a state that is referred to as being “full grown.”  Note, growth is not stagnation.  Too, growth is certainly not a backward process. 

            Second, growth is something that is evidenced.  In other words, growth can be seen by both the person who is growing and the people who are around him.  A baby soon becomes a toddler.  The toddler grows into a young girl or boy.  This young person eventually becomes a teenager.  Then, the teenager enters into adulthood.  The progress can be seen.  Again, various milestones are reached long the way by the one who is maturing.

            The same thing happens to the Christian who grows from being a babe to someone who is full-grown in Christ Jesus.  Growth begins with knowledge.  In the opening paragraph of this article, we noted two verses written by the hand of Peter.  In 1 Peter 2:2, we learn that Christians are to desire the Word of God like newborn babies desire their mother’s milk.  Feeding upon the Word enables them to “grow thereby.”  In 2 Peter 3:18, the apostle exhorts children of God to grow in knowledge.  The psalmist teaches us that the Word of God can make the simple person a wise person (Ps. 19:7).  Knowledge removes ignorance.  Knowledge increases one’s faith (Rom. 10:17).  Knowledge makes one stronger.  Knowledge makes a person skilled and more useful. 

            We need to point out that maturing through knowledge involves one’s moving from the milk of the Word to the meat.  As a child matures, milk may remain as part of his diet, but he also moves on to bolder forms of nourishment;  fruits, vegetables, and meat.  In like manner, the Christian must eventually move on to the “meat” of God’s Word.  If he does not, he remains stagnant.  He remains a child.  According to the Hebrew writer, this is not growth.  In Hebrews 5:12-14, he chided his readers because of this very problem.  “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 unskilful in the world 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.” 

            Second, evidence of growth involves the use of one’s talents and abilities.  As an infant grows into various stages of maturity, certain duties and responsibilities are put upon the child.  She can feed herself.  She can dress herself.  She can take a bath by herself.  As she gets a little older, her parents give her various chores around the house.  At first they might be simple, like picking up her toys.  As she matures, the chores get more difficult, making one’s bed, cleaning one’s room, and vacuuming the carpets.  If the child is not challenged to use her abilities, she will remain an immature individual. 

            In like manner, Christians need to grow to the point that they use their talents and their abilities.  Men learn to serve in leadership capacities in worship.  Men and women learn how to teach.  Christian men develop into deacons, ministers, and elders.  All Christians learn how to teach others the gospel of Christ.  If a Christian only develops into a pew-sitter and a weekly contributor of cash, he has not grown in Christ.  Dear readers, if a baby did not develop his/her skills and abilities, wouldn’t we worry about them?  Why shouldn’t the same be true of Christians who fail to develop?

            Third, growth is also evidenced by self-discipline.  Children learn numerous things that develop their temperance.  They are potty trained.  They learn to go to bed and get up at regular times.  They have times to do their homework.  Television and computer times are limited.  They learn how to sit and be quiet and respectful for periods of time.  They learn when to speak and when to be quiet.  They are taught to control their temper. 

            Christian growth also involves temperance.  Peter exhorted his readers to add temperance to their faith in 2 Peter 1:5-6.  “And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance…”  Christians must learn temperance regarding temptation.  They must learn how to control their tongues.  Emotions like anger, worry, and fear must be brought under control as well.  If a Christian fails to discipline himself, he will ack like a spoiled child (1 Cor. 3:1-3).  Too, he could lose his soul.  Paul confirms this in 1 Corinthians 9:27.  “But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection:  lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

            Dear Christian are you growing in Christ?  Are you moving forward in your Christian development?  Are you increasing the amount of knowledge you have of God’s Word every day?  Are you using your talents and abilities in more and more places in the body of Christ?  Does your life exhibit self-control?  Each one of us needs to take inventory of our life with an abundance of honesty.  We must remember that God expects growth.  Too, He will hold us accountable regarding our growth.  Jesus’ words to the five- and two-talent men begin with these words:  “Well done” (Matt. 25:21, 23).  On the other hand, His words to the one-talent began like this:  “Thou wicked and slothful servant” (Matt. 25:26).  Our growth will determine which of these words we will hear in the Last Day.