I saw a movie with my dear daughter the other day. She heard this statement from the movie; “Are you still a baby Christian?” She burst into laughter as she asked, “How can someone be a baby Christian?” That conversation led to a short Bible exposition on spiritual growth.
Friend, you need to be intentional about your growth. From the Corinthian Church, we learnt that you can be very vocal, gifted, and busy in church, yet carnal (1 Corinthians 3:1). Paul considered it a paradox that a Christian or church can be blessed with spiritual manifestations but deficient in growth and maturity.
Our maturity in the Kingdom is not seen in our giftedness, but in how much of the character of Christ that shows in our daily lives (Galatians 5:19-25). Since gifts can be acquired via an encounter with God and/or the sheer benevolence of God, it is a wrong measure of spiritual maturity. It is in the place of fellowship and intimacy that character and maturity are developed (John 15:4-5, Galatians 5:22-25).
While it is not a sin to be a baby Christian, it is a serious concern in the heart of God to remain one. Babyhood is a phase, a necessary phase of life. But when babyhood becomes a state of life, it becomes a problem. We are supposed to go unto maturity (1 Peter 2:2, 2 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 5:11-14).
In the physical, growth is automatic, but in the Kingdom, growth is intentional. We are encouraged to desire the sincere milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2). We are challenged to quit childish things (1 Corinthians 13:11). We are expected to submit ourselves to tutors and governors (Galatians 4:1-2). We are instructed to go unto maturity (Hebrews 6:1).
Your spiritual maturity determines your level of understanding (1 Corinthians 3:1, Hebrews 5:11-12), how much of Kingdom authority you can discharge (Galatians 4:1-2), how much of Kingdom assignments that can be committed to your hands (Isaiah 9:6), and ultimately the fulfilment of your destiny. We know that God loves you, regardless. But He also demands that you grow.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria