Still a Baby?

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 3:1-7; Hebrews 5:13-14

“Hey, Mom,” said Jose as he did his homeschool work at the kitchen table. “I just read the verses you assigned for my Bible lesson today, and…well, I don’t get it! The apostle Paul says he has to talk to the people of Corinth like they’re babies and feed them milk. That doesn’t actually mean milk like we drink, does it?”

“No, but many of those people were acting like baby Christians,” Mom said. “It’s something like…wait, I know!” She opened her laptop. “I recently came across a video that I think will help explain it.”

Mom started the video, and Jose saw a younger version of his dad. “It’s September 16, and Jose is three years old,” Dad said. “He’s going to tell us what he did in Sunday school today.”

They heard some giggles, and then three-year-old Jose appeared on screen. “I played with toys, and builded with blocks, and…and we sanged, and I sanged loud, and my teacher telled a story about Jesus.”

Jose laughed. “Is that really me?” he asked as the toddler went on to recite the ABCs. “I look so little!”

“You were little,” said Mom. “You don’t look like that or talk that way now, do you?”

Jose shook his head. “I sure hope not!”

Mom smiled. “It was cute then, but if you talked like that now, it wouldn’t be cute anymore. And just like it’s important to grow physically, it’s also important to grow spiritually. Although many people in Corinth had been Christians for quite a while, they were acting and talking as though Christianity were something new to them.”

“So, they trusted in Jesus but weren’t acting their age spiritually?” Jose asked.

“Apparently they argued over things—such as whether Paul or Apollos was the best preacher,” said Mom. “We need to be careful not to be like that ourselves. It’s a good idea for us to check and see how our own spiritual growth is coming along. Are we responding to the Holy Spirit as He urges us to turn from sin and encourages us to act more like Jesus? Or are we stubbornly choosing to do things our way?”

Jose nodded. “I’d hate to be a three-year-old all my life, and I wouldn’t want to be a baby Christian all my life either!”

-Linda Weddle

How About You?

Are you growing spiritually? Here are some questions to help you measure your growth: Do you have a deeper understanding of Jesus and what He’s done for you than you did last year? Has God made you aware of a sin in your life that needed to be confessed? Are you eager to share your faith with others? As the Holy Spirit works in your heart, He’ll help you put your childish ways behind you and make you more like Jesus.

Today’s Key Verse:
Matthew 5:6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. (NKJV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Grow spiritually