FOLLOWERS OF GOD
Conversion experiences are often emotional, because they are new and so incredibly special. The change that occurs in our souls is so sudden, it can be overwhelming. It is marvelous to suddenly be turned from sin and bondage to a whole new life in Christ.
Our early spiritual growth is like a child learning to walk. It is wonderful and exciting when a baby takes his first steps. Dad and Mom smile, urging him, “Come to us—you can do it!” With wobbly legs, he takes two steps, three steps, and then down he goes. Immediately he’s picked up and praised. His siblings encourage him, “Good boy.” He’s the center of everyone’s attention and finally, when he makes it across the room, they all cheer. What an emotional experience it is for him.
But soon that baby is no longer the center of attention. Now whenever he falls, he picks himself up and walks all over the house, making messes. He pulls over plants, drags out pots and pans, rips clothes from dresser drawers. And he’s disciplined for it. Suddenly, things aren’t so exciting for him anymore. His first steps were charged with laughter and joy but now walking isn’t so spectacular or emotional.
Your spiritual growth is similar. When you were a babe in the Lord, you felt God giving you special attention. Every time you fell, He was there to pick you up. Yet, as Paul writes, you’re not to remain a child forever. Just as a toddler is taught not to go into the street, you’re taught not to walk into spiritual fires. Now, whenever you fall, you look around for someone to pick you up, but nobody is there. God is teaching you to stand on His Word and walk by faith, and not to crawl like a baby anymore.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:1-2).
Our early spiritual growth is like a child learning to walk. It is wonderful and exciting when a baby takes his first steps. Dad and Mom smile, urging him, “Come to us—you can do it!” With wobbly legs, he takes two steps, three steps, and then down he goes. Immediately he’s picked up and praised. His siblings encourage him, “Good boy.” He’s the center of everyone’s attention and finally, when he makes it across the room, they all cheer. What an emotional experience it is for him.
But soon that baby is no longer the center of attention. Now whenever he falls, he picks himself up and walks all over the house, making messes. He pulls over plants, drags out pots and pans, rips clothes from dresser drawers. And he’s disciplined for it. Suddenly, things aren’t so exciting for him anymore. His first steps were charged with laughter and joy but now walking isn’t so spectacular or emotional.
Your spiritual growth is similar. When you were a babe in the Lord, you felt God giving you special attention. Every time you fell, He was there to pick you up. Yet, as Paul writes, you’re not to remain a child forever. Just as a toddler is taught not to go into the street, you’re taught not to walk into spiritual fires. Now, whenever you fall, you look around for someone to pick you up, but nobody is there. God is teaching you to stand on His Word and walk by faith, and not to crawl like a baby anymore.
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” (Ephesians 5:1-2).