Bulletin
“Aiding Spiritual Growth”
The church presents a wonderful image of God’s grace. Its members represent the complexities of humanity while simultaneously highlighting its simplicity. Despite the former, the latter stems from the common fact that all have sinned and need God’s saving grace (cf. Romans 3:21-26). None have anything in which to boast save the cross of Christ (cf. Galatians 6:14). However, from the former perspective we are impressed by the sheer variety among those in the body of Christ. There are differences in race, gender, culture, nationality, age, economic status, intellect, religious experience, and though all are Christians, there is the constant variation in spiritual maturity. It is the last factor in the complexity of the church which especially warrants careful attention.
In his first letter to the church in Corinth, Paul reflected on his initial time with those who were sanctified in that city – “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ”(1 Corinthians 3:1). The context contains a rebuke for their lack of spiritual growth since the time Paul was originally among them (vv. 2-3). However, it is interesting that the Holy Spirit calls them “carnal” as “babes in Christ.” It is not that babes in Christ are still lost in their sin, but that they have yet to develop the mind of one who is spiritually mature. They have been born again (cf. John 3:3, 5; 1 Peter 1:23), but have only just begun the transformation process. There is much renewing of the mind that is left (cf. Romans 12:1-2). There are matters in which they remain ignorant, and therefore, matters in which they will have to change, and repent as their growth progresses. The success of this process is due, in part, to the “noble and good heart” which hears the word, and bears fruit (cf. Luke 8:15). Not only has it sprouted, but it has taken root, is unencumbered by thorns, and is progressing daily. Though this does not eliminate the continued need for pruning (cf. John 15:1-4) – cutting away the bad so the good can grow instead. Through this process, the carnal babe in Christ will become a spiritually mature Christian, further separated from a worldly perspective, and able to digest the meat of God’s word.
With carnal babes in Christ present, it is the Lord’s will that the spiritually mature help them in the process of change and growth (cf. Galatians 6:1-2; Ephesians 4:11-16; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22). Such aid must come with gentleness, humility, patience, and compassion. However, this cannot be at the expense of truth (cf. 2 Timothy 4:1-5). We cannot neglect to confront sinful conduct because we know a person means well but is just not aware. There are times when sinful conduct – of the subtle sort in our human estimation – is passed off as inconsequential due to the admirable character of the one participating in it. We know their spirit is not rebellious, and that perhaps they do not know any better. We would not want to discourage them with a revelation exposing their wrongdoing. We have exposed our own spiritual immaturity with such thinking. The goal is still growth, and that toward Christ. We should not attempt to protect their tender spirit from discouragement by a word of reproof and correction, but further develop their noble and good heart with God’s will for them. To withhold the exposure of darkness still in their life is to withhold the pruning God is lovingly seeking to provide. With such activity unaddressed, their spiritual potential is hampered by ignorant deviation from God’s intended path for them.
Ultimately, if we are not careful, we may make growth an excuse for continued sinful conduct, and neglected reproof and correction. It is not appropriate to overlook sinful conduct (of any degree) because one might be a babe in Christ and not know any better. They will not “grow out of it” unless someone shows them the error and explains the way of truth. Their noble and good heart paired with the power of God’s word and the skillful use of it by a seasoned saint will amount to their cessation of the activity, and further pursuit of righteousness.
