The Problem of Immaturity
From Milk to Solid Food
SCRIPTURE:
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 CSB - For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans?
OBSERVATION:
Is it possible to be an older believer and still be "immature"? Sadly, the answer is yes! We can receive all the benefits of salvation (we are saved, no question about it), yet still be immature in our walk, clinging to the basics of our faith. We all know that the foundation and fundamentals are of utmost importance. Without them, we would never realize that we have been forgiven and that our sins have been paid for through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
Athletes never abandon the fundamentals; they always return to them and keep them at their core. They build on and refine those fundamentals, developing mastery. I am not saying we will become experts in our walks – even Paul said he had not arrived at that (Philippians 3:13-14). What I am saying is that there should be growth. We should not remain in the “infant” stages of our walk with the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the issue of “immaturity” in the Corinthian church. They claimed that Paul only gave them the basics; his teaching was simple and his speech plain. But Apollos was seen as more intellectual and offered them deeper insights. Yet Paul described them as “infants,” a label no one wants to hear from their spiritual father or mentor.
In a sense, Paul was saying, “Grow up!” It’s time to deepen our grasp of the fundamentals, not to move away from them. Let the fundamentals help you become the mature believer the Lord desires us to be.
Paul’s response to their argument was direct.
1 Corinthians 3:2-3 CSB - I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans?
Every infant needs milk to start with, not a juicy T-bone steak. They lack the teeth to chew it, and their digestive systems aren't ready to handle it. That's why it wouldn't be wise to give it to them. Instead, Paul brought the “pure milk”—the Good News—and the grace of God. It's essential not only for nourishing us but also for helping us grow.
Somewhere along the way, as the Corinthian believer grew older, they were still drinking milk and had not moved on to the T-bone steak of God’s Word. Paul even says they were not yet ready. Why? Because they had not matured beyond their former worldly state. They still struggled with envy and strife. It must have been like the disciples arguing over who was the greatest.
Before we point the finger too quickly, I think many of us — even you and me — haven't moved beyond this stage. Instead of growing and helping others grow, we keep comparing ourselves to that church or to those people. All the while, we miss what God wants to do among us.
APPLICATION:
How does one grow from immaturity to maturity? First, recognize that immaturity exists in your life. I think that if we all stopped and took the time to take inventory, we would quickly realize we all have immaturity. When that immaturity is made known, allow God to work.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 CSB - For my part, brothers and sisters, I was not able to speak to you as spiritual people but as people of the flesh, as babies in Christ. I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans?
OBSERVATION:
Is it possible to be an older believer and still be "immature"? Sadly, the answer is yes! We can receive all the benefits of salvation (we are saved, no question about it), yet still be immature in our walk, clinging to the basics of our faith. We all know that the foundation and fundamentals are of utmost importance. Without them, we would never realize that we have been forgiven and that our sins have been paid for through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.
Athletes never abandon the fundamentals; they always return to them and keep them at their core. They build on and refine those fundamentals, developing mastery. I am not saying we will become experts in our walks – even Paul said he had not arrived at that (Philippians 3:13-14). What I am saying is that there should be growth. We should not remain in the “infant” stages of our walk with the Lord.
In 1 Corinthians 3, Paul addresses the issue of “immaturity” in the Corinthian church. They claimed that Paul only gave them the basics; his teaching was simple and his speech plain. But Apollos was seen as more intellectual and offered them deeper insights. Yet Paul described them as “infants,” a label no one wants to hear from their spiritual father or mentor.
In a sense, Paul was saying, “Grow up!” It’s time to deepen our grasp of the fundamentals, not to move away from them. Let the fundamentals help you become the mature believer the Lord desires us to be.
Paul’s response to their argument was direct.
1 Corinthians 3:2-3 CSB - I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready, because you are still worldly. For since there is envy and strife among you, are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans?
Every infant needs milk to start with, not a juicy T-bone steak. They lack the teeth to chew it, and their digestive systems aren't ready to handle it. That's why it wouldn't be wise to give it to them. Instead, Paul brought the “pure milk”—the Good News—and the grace of God. It's essential not only for nourishing us but also for helping us grow.
Somewhere along the way, as the Corinthian believer grew older, they were still drinking milk and had not moved on to the T-bone steak of God’s Word. Paul even says they were not yet ready. Why? Because they had not matured beyond their former worldly state. They still struggled with envy and strife. It must have been like the disciples arguing over who was the greatest.
Before we point the finger too quickly, I think many of us — even you and me — haven't moved beyond this stage. Instead of growing and helping others grow, we keep comparing ourselves to that church or to those people. All the while, we miss what God wants to do among us.
APPLICATION:
How does one grow from immaturity to maturity? First, recognize that immaturity exists in your life. I think that if we all stopped and took the time to take inventory, we would quickly realize we all have immaturity. When that immaturity is made known, allow God to work.
It wasn’t that God prevented them from receiving the solid food Paul gave. The real problem was the Corinthians' attraction to spiritual “junk food,” based on man’s wisdom and eloquence. They were so “filled” with this junk food that they were not able to receive the spiritual solid food Paul wanted to give them.
Some “spiritual junk food Christians” are greatly blessed when they get a spiritual meal of solid food, but others, when presented with solid food, are not able to receive it, because their spiritual “taste buds” are so conditioned to junk food that is all they have a taste for. – David Guzik.
Some “spiritual junk food Christians” are greatly blessed when they get a spiritual meal of solid food, but others, when presented with solid food, are not able to receive it, because their spiritual “taste buds” are so conditioned to junk food that is all they have a taste for. – David Guzik.
The greatest place where God works isn't necessarily on a Sunday morning but in our daily devotional time with Him. If you want to grow, dive into His Word. Read it, meditate on it, write it down, and pray it in. This is where you'll experience growth in God's Word, guided by the Holy Spirit. This is a promise: growth will come.
Spiritual growth is a continuous process driven by the Holy Spirit, involving diligent Bible study and prayer, which should lead to increased humility, love for others, and a deeper knowledge of Christ. – Charles Spurgeon.
Let’s move away from the “spiritual junk food” (that which only satisfies temporarily) and adopt the “spiritual balanced diet” found in His Word.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me grow from immaturity to maturity. Enable me to desire both the milk and the solid food of Your Word. May I not only hear it but also apply it to my life. Grant me humility, love for others, and a deeper understanding of You.
PRAYER:
Jesus, help me grow from immaturity to maturity. Enable me to desire both the milk and the solid food of Your Word. May I not only hear it but also apply it to my life. Grant me humility, love for others, and a deeper understanding of You.
A balanced diet of milk and solid foods promotes growth.
Posted in 07 - 1 Corinthians
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