Today’s Reading, 1 Corinthians 1-4
Focal Scripture: 1 Corinthians 3:1 “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.”
Immaturity in adults is very frustrating. You expect it from young children and even from teenagers. However, when you expect something from someone who should know better, because of their age and experience, yet it doesn’t happen, you can get easily frustrated and annoyed with them. For instance, I have been around adults who still think it is ok to belittle or make fun of people who are not good at certain tasks. Instead of realizing that people struggle or have different life experiences. They take it as an opportunity to act immature about others.
In today’s reading Paul addresses spiritual immaturity. He wanted to speak to the church at Corinth about spiritual matters. He desired to address them as mature believers. Instead, he had to treat them as spiritual babies. His expectation was for them to grow up and be on solid biblical food. Instead he found immature people who could not handle basic spiritual conversations. Paul was frustrated with these converts.
I have been in Paul’s shoes in the past. I have tried to have basic conversations with believers who have been saved for decades. However, these professing believers don’t know what they believe or what the Bible teaches. This may sound harsh but there is no excuse today to not be well read and prepared to speak about your faith. The problem lies in that many churches and believers are ok with mediocrity. Being in the milk of the word gives them an excuse.
This should not be true with us as Bible believing Christians. Why? The only way we can know God deeply is to know his word deeply. I understand that people will miss days and not always be perfectly consistent. However, if you don’t take time to memorize scripture, pray and study the word how will you ever know God’s heart. In no ways is this a condemnation on you for not doing certain works. This is a violent shake to wake you from your slumber.
We must be spiritually mature. This happens in Bible study. It happens in prayer. It happens when we take theology serious. Remember, that everyone is a theologian. You are either a good one or a bad one. So today it is time to get off the milk of the word and start eating heavier meals. A word of warning don’t go too fast at first but slowly introduce yourselves to a biblical diet. This will grow your faith and your spirit.
Tomorrow, I plan on reading 1 Corinthians 5-8
