Faith Alone - June 3, 2012

Growing Up in Christ

Until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge
of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole
measure of the fullness of Christ.  Then we will no longer be infants.
Ephesians 4:13-14

 Human reason enjoys finding fault with the messengers of God's Word.  It can quickly detect if these teachers' lives and habits aren't consistent with the absolutely pure teachings that they proclaim.  Somehow, reason can judge their lives on the basis of their doctrine while, at the same time, rejecting their doctrine.  In this way, our enemies complain that they're always hearing the gospel from us but not seeking behvior that matches.  They say we preach one thing and do another.

But our critics should remember that human beings are merely creatures with the ability to reason.  Yet God has given these human beings the authority to rule over all of creation (Genesis 1:28).  Now look at little babies.  Where is this mighty authority God has given to them?  Infants are the most pitiable of all living beings.  They can't help themselves in the least.  They depend solely on an outside help; otherwise, they would die.   Despite their helplessness, babies still possess authority over all creation.  Although we can't easily see this authority, the hope and promise of it remain.  So the parents cherish, nourish, and take care of the children so that when they grow up and become strong, they can take on this authority.

Just as all people begin life as a weak baby does and mature over time, the same is true for all believers regarding spiritual matatrs.  Day by day, we grow in our faith and by our faith.  We keep growing until we eventually meet our Lord as mature people, just as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:13.  Meanwhile God, our merciful Father, watches us in our weakness and continually forgives us.