Are you ready for some beef?

Dear Kids,

Corinthians 3:2. “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready…” (ESV)

Yesterday was a big day. We took John-Keith, our college freshman, to Wright State University and got him settled in his dorm room. After hauling his stuff up six flights of stairs and later making a fast run to the store to get some forgotten items, we finally got things set up for him to be comfortable.

We had a nice lunch at Frisch’s and then Dad and I left to go back to business as usual. But, as every mother can understand, I had a little twinge in the pit of my stomach. We had just launched our third child into a huge new experience and, though I know he is ready and prepared, I also know that there will be an empty spot at the dinner table.

As you children grow up we will miss your constant presence in our homes but we also wouldn’t have it any other way. We are glad that you are growing, progressing, and learning how to make it on your own. It would be unnatural for you never to want to leave. We loved having babies and small children, but would have been worried if you had not grown and become more independent. Something would have been wrong.

Paul was concerned about the Corinthian believers in today’s verse. They had been “born” into God’s family, but they were not growing in their wisdom or relationship with Him. They were still infants in Christ. New believers have a lot to learn, but as time passes they should show signs of a greater understanding of God’s Word as well as a more Christ-like life.

These believers were still struggling with jealousy and strife. Their actions and attitudes showed that they were still behaving like humans in the flesh instead of like spirit-led Christians. Instead of recognizing the oneness of believers in Christ, they were causing divisions by choosing sides based on men whom they admired.

“I follow Paul,” some would say, while others would respond with, “We follow Apollos.” It was like they were taking sides instead of recognizing that each man and woman has a job to do and, as they all labor together, God accomplishes His work.

Paul confronted the Corinthians with the fact that, though they belonged to God, they were still like babies only wanting milk. They were not going deeper and asking God to help them mature in their faith. They were refusing to understand that they were all fellow workers with God – no one better than the next – working together as a team. It was easier and more natural to choose sides.

Paul longed to delve into the deeper, beefier spiritual matters that he had learned, but they were not ready. So he was stuck feeding them milk and spiritually babysitting them. Paul knew the importance of growing in the Lord so that they would not be deceived by themselves or by others who only have the faulty wisdom of the world.

We also need to learn this lesson. It’s not healthy to stay a baby Christian – if you do, something is wrong. It is important to move from a liquid diet to the meat of God’s word, always learning, always growing.

I love seeing each of you grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. I still have the little twinge in my heart but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Never stop growing. It’s time to do more than drink milk. Are you ready for some beef?

Love,

Mama