Growing in Christ?

Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people.  I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.  I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger.  And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your sinful nature.  You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other.  Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature?  Aren’t you living like people of the world?          

1 Corinthians 3:1 - 3 (NLT)

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

God’s wisdom is hidden from carnal believers.  The word “carnal” (literally “fleshly”) is the term Paul used to describe Christians who have little or no appetite for spiritual things.  Paul sized the Corinthian church up that way.  Mature (spiritually-growing) Christians may have differences, but they get past it without jealousy and quarrelling.  

The church at Corinth was a hornet’s nest of contention.  Paul had tried to help them grow past spiritual infancy, but they cared more for the things of this world, than for Christ…they were carnal! 

¨      They had accepted Christ...and decided to stay right there – in the crib, nursing off whatever teacher came along…totally unwilling to grow in their faith. 

¨      They were saved and going to heaven; but they were useless in the Kingdom.

God never reveals His wisdom to those who have no appetite for it.

In the early hours of the morning I am in my study, reading, writing and praying.  Gracie the wonderdog is sleeping in the other room.  She is a wonderful, loving pet (who is smarter and better looking than your dog), but she rarely joins me for devotions and Bible reading.  Question:  Is she growing spiritually?

Another question:

Are you growing?  Do you have a spiritual appetite?  Do you desire God’s wisdom?