Category Archives: Babies

Babies, Bible, Birth, Growth, Maturity, Scripture

BIRTH PAINS

GALATIANS 4:19

“My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you—”

I will never forget watching my wife give birth to our children. I was in the room with her for both. With our first, she had an epidural which blocked most of the pain. With our second there wasn’t time for that. Watching her in pain broke my heart but I knew it had to be done. She couldn’t keep that baby inside of her forever. I also knew she would soon forget that pain when she saw that baby and got to hold it. The birth pains were worth it.

Paul uses the analogy of giving birth to compare the pain he had endured in “giving birth” to these Galatians in the faith. Witnessing and discipling can be laborious tasks, even for those in full time ministry. But we should all have the same heart as Paul – it is worth it to see them grow into maturity in Christ. That is what is meant by “until Christ is formed in you.”

APPLICATION

Who are you “giving birth” to right now? Are you purposely pouring into a new believer? We all, as believers in Jesus, should share what He has taught us and given us. We need to labor as Paul did. 2 Timothy 2:2 is a verse we use quite often in our ministry. “And the things you heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” Multi-generational growth!

Whether you do that one-on-one or in a small group, start “giving birth” to those young believers, those who are brand new to the faith. They need your wisdom in how to apply God’s Word to their lives. Or maybe you are the one who needs someone laboring over them. Reach out to someone and ask them to mentor you. There are a lot of great tools out there for that.

Especially for you men out there – check out the curriculum we use in Every Man A Warrior (www.everymanawarrior.com). It is designed to take a small group of men through a three book course built just for men. It’s practical, relevant and life changing. We have thousands of men around the world who have seen their lives change and then had the opportunity to lead other men through the course – making disciple makers. Just labor for Jesus and see what He births through you.

I want to labor for You, Lord. Use me in the lives of other men to grow them spiritually.

Standard
Age, Babies, Bible, God's Will, Maturity, Promises, Salvation, Scripture

STILL BABIES

GALATIANS 4:1

“Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is owner of everything,” 

We have all probably heard of a story or two of some young child or infant who inherited a fortune from their parents. Although this child had all this wealth, he was far too young to know how to handle it. So, a guardian was placed in their lives to control the estate up until the time the child reached an age where they could make their own financial decisions.

Paul continues his thought from chapter 3 into chapter 4 (remember, there were no chapters and verses in the original letter he wrote). And in 4:1, Paul uses the analogy of a child heir. The word “child” used here is really an infant. Paul says he has no more control of his inheritance than the slaves who work for him. He is powerless even to make his own decision. But Paul is preparing to show that real freedom, real power comes through knowing Jesus.

APPLICATION

Think back to when you first came to Christ. Before you were saved, you were a slave to sin. You could not escape its snares and traps. Try as you might, you could not affect your spiritual future. Nothing you did was going to gain your salvation. You thought you were in control of your life, but you weren’t.

Let me carry this “baby” analogy a step further. When you came to Christ, you were freed from those bonds. Now what? You were free but totally uninformed on how to live. You were like a baby taking its first steps – a little unsteady. You were looking for anything to hold on to as you started walking in Christ.

I love how Peter says it in 1 Peter 2:2. “and like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,” That is the only thing that will give us the strength and knowledge we need to grow into adults spiritually – the Word. Are you going to it daily to get that “pure milk” it offers? Go to it today.

O Father, I know I will not reach full maturity in Christ until I see You face to face, but I long to grow more each day.

Standard