October 7, 2001

CHILDREN GROW UP

Ephesians 4:14-16

   "That we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up unto Him in all things, Who is the Head, even Christ: from Whom the whole body fitly joined together and compact-ed by that which every joint supplies..." (Ephesians 4:14-16).

   There is both a risk and a tendency for those young in the faith, here called children (really babies), to come short of the spiritual growth God intends. To accomplish this growth the glorified Lord has given gifts "for the perfecting of the saints to the work of the ministry and the building up of the body of Christ." These provisions are "until we all come in the unity of the faith...the full knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect (mature) man..." This is the goal for every member of the body of Christ and for the body as a whole.

   The Corinthians had not grown, for Paul had to write, "I...could not speak to you as to spiritual (people), but as to carnal, even as to babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food, for until now you were not able, neither now are you able" (1 Cor. 3:1-2). Of the Hebrew believers we read "when...you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again...the first principles of the oracles of God and are become such as have need of milk and not of solid food, for everyone that uses milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe" (Heb. 5:12-13). In all cases, God has made abundant provision for spiritual growth, but neglect seems to get the upper hand!

   How shall such growth be accomplished? By "speaking the truth in love..." Here Paul coined a new word, one we do not have in English. He said simply, "truthing in love," that is, by living every act, motion, and motive in love according to and in clear expression of the truth. Elsewhere he wrote, "having renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God" (2 Cor. 4:2). That's it!

Ivan L. Burgener