September 29th, 2025
by Pastor Luke
by Pastor Luke
Growing in Faith: From Spiritual Infancy to Maturity
Have you ever felt stuck in your spiritual journey, wondering why you're not experiencing the growth you desire? The path from spiritual infancy to maturity is one that every believer must navigate, but it's not always a straightforward journey. Let's explore some profound truths about spiritual growth and what it truly means to mature in our faith.
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, addresses a critical issue that many Christians face: remaining in spiritual infancy when they should be growing into maturity. He writes, "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready" (1 Corinthians 3:2). This powerful metaphor illustrates the difference between basic spiritual nourishment and the deeper, more substantial truths of faith.
But why do some believers remain in this state of infancy? Often, it's because we're only willing to take small, infrequent "bites" of spiritual nourishment. Like a child who claims to be starving but only nibbles at their food, we may profess a hunger for God but fail to truly feast on His Word and presence.
The hard truth is that we are often the common denominator in our stunted spiritual growth. It's not our church, our family background, or the books we read that are holding us back – it's our own choices and priorities. This realization can be uncomfortable, but it's a necessary step towards growth.
So, what moves us from milk to solid food in our spiritual lives? The answer lies in the example of Jesus Himself. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus consistently withdrawing to pray. His disciples, observing this, asked Him to teach them to pray – not to preach, not to perform miracles, but to pray. Prayer is the furnace that heats the entire house of faith.
Consider the moment of Jesus' baptism. As He was praying, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. This powerful image teaches us that the Spirit doesn't descend on those seeking power or caught up in quarrels, but on those devoted to prayer and communion with God.
If we want to become Christians ready for "solid food," we must follow Jesus' example. We need to sow seeds of prayer if we expect a harvest of answers. We must open the Word of God if we hope to hear His voice. Time alone doesn't guarantee spiritual maturity, but time under the tension of spiritual discipline does.
This growth isn't just for our personal benefit. Paul reminds us that we are God's field, God's building. We're not meant to be isolated stalks of corn, but part of a vast, interconnected field. We're not individual bricks, but part of a grand structure. Our spiritual growth impacts the entire body of Christ.
As we mature, we're called to contribute to this building. However, Paul warns us to be careful about how we build. He speaks of some who build with gold, silver, and precious stones, while others use wood, hay, and straw. The fire of God's judgment will test the quality of each person's work.
This brings us to a crucial point: serving God in the right ways but for the wrong reasons is still wrong. We must examine our motives. Are we serving to compensate for insecurity? To seek attention and praise? To jockey for position and influence? These ulterior motives are like wood, hay, and straw – they won't withstand the test of fire.
Instead, we're called to serve out of love for God and others, allowing the Holy Spirit to heal our wounds and purify our motives. Only a healed and healthy church can effectively minister to a sick world.
Perhaps the most astounding truth in all of this is that despite our immaturity and flaws, God chooses to dwell in us. Paul declares, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). Just as we might look at a house that needs work but decide it's worth the effort to make it our home, God looks at our hearts and says, "I want to live here."
This indwelling of God's Spirit marks the beginning of eternal life. Contrary to popular belief, eternal life doesn't start at death – it begins the moment we put our faith in Christ. We simply switch vessels from natural to spiritual upon death.
Jesus didn't die just so we could live with Him forever in the future; He died so He could live in us forever, starting right now. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in every believer. This profound truth should transform how we view ourselves and how we live our daily lives.
As we reflect on these truths, let's ask ourselves: Are we content with spiritual infancy, or are we hungry for growth? Are we willing to make space for prayer and God's Word in our lives? Are we serving with pure motives? And most importantly, are we living in the reality that we are God's temple, indwelt by His Spirit?
May we never forget that we are both works in progress and completed masterpieces in God's eyes. He is committed to our growth, ready to feed us with the solid food of deeper truths as we mature. Let's respond to His invitation to grow, to serve, and to be living testimonies of His transforming power in our world.
stay salty. be bright.
Pastor Luke
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, addresses a critical issue that many Christians face: remaining in spiritual infancy when they should be growing into maturity. He writes, "I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready" (1 Corinthians 3:2). This powerful metaphor illustrates the difference between basic spiritual nourishment and the deeper, more substantial truths of faith.
But why do some believers remain in this state of infancy? Often, it's because we're only willing to take small, infrequent "bites" of spiritual nourishment. Like a child who claims to be starving but only nibbles at their food, we may profess a hunger for God but fail to truly feast on His Word and presence.
The hard truth is that we are often the common denominator in our stunted spiritual growth. It's not our church, our family background, or the books we read that are holding us back – it's our own choices and priorities. This realization can be uncomfortable, but it's a necessary step towards growth.
So, what moves us from milk to solid food in our spiritual lives? The answer lies in the example of Jesus Himself. Throughout the Gospels, we see Jesus consistently withdrawing to pray. His disciples, observing this, asked Him to teach them to pray – not to preach, not to perform miracles, but to pray. Prayer is the furnace that heats the entire house of faith.
Consider the moment of Jesus' baptism. As He was praying, the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove. This powerful image teaches us that the Spirit doesn't descend on those seeking power or caught up in quarrels, but on those devoted to prayer and communion with God.
If we want to become Christians ready for "solid food," we must follow Jesus' example. We need to sow seeds of prayer if we expect a harvest of answers. We must open the Word of God if we hope to hear His voice. Time alone doesn't guarantee spiritual maturity, but time under the tension of spiritual discipline does.
This growth isn't just for our personal benefit. Paul reminds us that we are God's field, God's building. We're not meant to be isolated stalks of corn, but part of a vast, interconnected field. We're not individual bricks, but part of a grand structure. Our spiritual growth impacts the entire body of Christ.
As we mature, we're called to contribute to this building. However, Paul warns us to be careful about how we build. He speaks of some who build with gold, silver, and precious stones, while others use wood, hay, and straw. The fire of God's judgment will test the quality of each person's work.
This brings us to a crucial point: serving God in the right ways but for the wrong reasons is still wrong. We must examine our motives. Are we serving to compensate for insecurity? To seek attention and praise? To jockey for position and influence? These ulterior motives are like wood, hay, and straw – they won't withstand the test of fire.
Instead, we're called to serve out of love for God and others, allowing the Holy Spirit to heal our wounds and purify our motives. Only a healed and healthy church can effectively minister to a sick world.
Perhaps the most astounding truth in all of this is that despite our immaturity and flaws, God chooses to dwell in us. Paul declares, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16). Just as we might look at a house that needs work but decide it's worth the effort to make it our home, God looks at our hearts and says, "I want to live here."
This indwelling of God's Spirit marks the beginning of eternal life. Contrary to popular belief, eternal life doesn't start at death – it begins the moment we put our faith in Christ. We simply switch vessels from natural to spiritual upon death.
Jesus didn't die just so we could live with Him forever in the future; He died so He could live in us forever, starting right now. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in every believer. This profound truth should transform how we view ourselves and how we live our daily lives.
As we reflect on these truths, let's ask ourselves: Are we content with spiritual infancy, or are we hungry for growth? Are we willing to make space for prayer and God's Word in our lives? Are we serving with pure motives? And most importantly, are we living in the reality that we are God's temple, indwelt by His Spirit?
May we never forget that we are both works in progress and completed masterpieces in God's eyes. He is committed to our growth, ready to feed us with the solid food of deeper truths as we mature. Let's respond to His invitation to grow, to serve, and to be living testimonies of His transforming power in our world.
stay salty. be bright.
Pastor Luke
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