Got Milk…or Meat?

S-Scripture:  1 Corinthians 3:1-3, “Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to mature Christians. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.  I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn’t handle anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your own desires? You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord.”  (NLT)

O-Observaton:  Paul wrote to the Corinthian Church to engage the people in much needed dialogue concerning divisions within the Body!  When Paul heard the news of the lack of unity and harmony, he immediately wrote this letter to fan the flame of Spiritual Maturity.  He charged them with being Spiritually Immature. As a matter of fact he said, “You are acting like people who don’t belong to the Lord.”

A-Application:  These words cut to the very core of my heart.  I had to ask myself the question, “What if Paul were writing to StoneBridge Baptist Church, or better yet, to the pastors of this local body?  What would he say to us?”  Would he slam us?  Would there be accusations of our lack of Spiritual Maturity and Growth?  Would he write the same type of letter to us?  Personally, I know that there are areas in my life where I need God’s wisdom, grace, and strength to become a Spiritual Carnivore.  It’s time to quit nursing and start eating!

P-Prayer:  Father, it is my prayer to overcome my deficiencies so that I can develop the Leadership skills necessary to lead Your Church.  In Jesus Name, Amen.