We Must Grow

There is nothing more tragic in this world, than a baby that never grows into full maturity in its mind. It is born into the world, and yes, it’s deeply loved by its parents still yet, but the tragedy is this, although that baby may grow in stature and strength, life will never mean half as much to it as to most people. I have also seen beautiful little kids run around have a great time, so carefree and happy. Then I look up to their momma, and say, “you have a beautiful family” and she smiles and says, “I know, I would just love to keep them this age forever.” Although most parents feel that way toward their kids, it would be very tragic for the young one if that was to be so. See, they simply wasn’t created to stay that age forever, they was created to grow.

Beloved, the same goes for the church today. We have people coming and getting born again, and yes, it is beautiful! But most never move beyond that spot! What I am saying is this, their Christian life… doesn’t have half as much meaning as it should, and could! How tragic!! Why is this? Simply because…most get happy with the milk feeding. They always want to take it easy, never pressing on to the full meat of the word of God. And by this laziness of spirit, they cause themselves to be deformed in God. As B.H. Clendennen once said, “I don’t mind feeding you that bottle, (that milk of the word of God) but it is a disgrace for me to have to move them false teeth to do it!” See, eventually… God will move beyond those that don’t move with Him. For He only keeps those that try and keep on moving with Him.

This Christian life is a progressive walk with Christ. We are continually to be moving with Him, coming to deeper understanding of Him, coming into deeper relationship with Him, and being made more like Him. All of this is produced by growing in Him. Brother Clendennen also once said, “the Christian life is a progressive life. We must never stop moving forward with God. For to stop moving forward (to stop growing in Him) is to backslide. You don’t have to go out a get drunk to backslide. No! All you got to do is just stop moving forward with Him.” Beloved, we must grow!

You say, “well, just because you say this, doesn’t make it true. I believe I can get to heaven on my bottle that I have been on for the past 3 years, (5 years 10 years whatever it may be).” Beloved, I give you not my words now, I give you the words of Christ. John 14:1-2a, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away.” Beloved, we are those branches, and the only way we may continue to bear the Holy fruit of Christ is to keep growing in Him! There will chastening, there will be some times when you don’t really see any major growth, but just keep growing! Keep going on to deeper levels with Him! Keep pressing in closer to Him! Don’t stop! For to stop is to backslide! Don’t get satisfied with just the milk… when God has a steak for you. Why be satisfied with so little, when God has made it possible for you to come and dine with Him, at His table? In order to dine with the Master… you have to be able to handle more than milk. Don’t let life pass you by, while never really coming to the full knowledge of Christ. Beloved,…keep growing!