Growing is a natural part of life and spiritual growing is no exception. In 2 Peter 3:18 we read, “but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” Paul also, in Ephesians 4:15, speaks of growing “up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ”. Then 1 Peter 2:2 likening the spiritual life to the natural says, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby”. The first step in our spiritual growth, as in the natural, is begin life’s journey desiring and partaking of pure milk; for us that milk is the pure doctrines of God’s word which we see as becoming established in the basic truths like repentance, faith, baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection, and judgment as Hebrews 6:1-2 points out. However as an infant does not continue only on milk but graduates to solid food so we too must do, as Hebrews 5:12-14 brings us to see, which is graduating to solid food and being able to discern between good and evil, and become established in things like sanctification, the second coming of Jesus, and the deep truths of God’s word. Isaiah 40:11 says “He will feed His flock like a shepherd”; a shepherd leads his flock to the pasture, Psalm 23:2, but the sheep must eat thereof. He has given us His word but we must partake of and apply it! In Revelation 3:20 Jesus is asking permission to come into our “house” saying “if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me.” We can then feed on His food (His word), and He will feed upon our life of godliness, service of love, and our praises!
By Rose Hill
God’s will for us is to grow up,
So with His word we fill our cup.
As a baby for some milk will long,
We desire the word to make us strong.
Grace will grow in us as we plant its seed,
We grow in knowledge as on the word we feed.
Growing up in love is an important thing,
When it shows we bring honor to the king.
We are receiving His mighty power,
And growing as a witness in this hour.
As we are delivered from the evil one,
We are making His kingdom come.
Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson Co. used by permission.