In the wisdom of God we were designed to enter this world frail, small and completely dependent upon our parents care. For while every human being-- from conception-- has the power of Almighty God working through their flesh, a maturing of body and mind must take place. While we grow cell by cell physically, we are also designed to mature emotionally and mentally. Through this process an individual learns to communicate, walk and talk. Over a span of time, we experience a maturing of our mind and a gradual weaning from parental care until we can reasonably care for ourselves. This is the physical journey intended for us all.
However, man is not made of flesh alone: each of us is also spirit.
While our physical life begins within our mother--and in body we are temporarily one--from birth we are nurtured towards independence. Yet, upon our spiritual birth, the exact opposite is true. God created our spiritual body for complete dependence upon our heavenly Father. In other words, man is born into spiritual separation from God and works his way towards abiding in Christ and complete unity with the Father.
Pondering this juxtaposition in our physical and spiritual beings, the necessity of spiritual growth becomes evident. Consider the absurdity of healthy young men and women refusing to fend for themselves; remaining dependant on parents and never weaning. This behavior would be odd and contrary to the natural process of maturing.
The same applies to our spiritual growth. Scripture states;"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation," (1 Peter 2:2NIV). Though we start off on spiritual milk, we are to graduate to solid foods. When we refuse to be weaned or dependent on the Father and rebelliously fight for spiritual independence we act outside God’s design. The result in either case is a life which is less than it was created to be and one that tragically does not glorify God.
This concept of becoming dependant on God is addressed by Oswald Chambers, who states, “Even the weakest saint can experience the power of the deity of the Son of God, when he is willing to “let go.” For just as physical maturity takes time, so too does spiritually maturity: the toddler who takes his first step away from his mother is no different than the new Christian who takes her first step towards the Lord. God is simply glorified in the taking of the step. Faithful attempts in both directions will naturally produce healthy physical and spiritual beings.
A biblical illustration for spiritual growth is found in the ministry of Christ to his disciples. When Jesus was physically with Peter, James, John and the rest, he nurtured them through spiritual infancy. A band of strong Jewish men became spiritual brothers, which over three years learned to walk and talk, like their spiritual mentor. Though they stumbled and some fell, the Lord encouraged them to get up and keep going. Of the twelve, eleven grew in faith and oneness with God. Their surrender to the natural order of God’s plan for their spiritual lives enabled each to mature and become mentors of spiritual infants themselves. Like Jesus, they became one with their Father.
This of course is the goal for every child born into faith in Jesus. While the Father produces the spiritual child, believers are all commissioned to mature in Christ. So in turn, they may nurture and mentor spiritual babes into dependency on God.
Though we may stumble and fall in our efforts to reach our heavenly Father, let us remember his love for us: see the smile on His face and His arms opened wide, ready to embrace us at the end of our walk of faith.
