Pressing on Towards Maturity

"And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

When I would check out at the local grocery store, I would often witness a toddler's antics after being denied a coveted toy or treat. They would scream, "I want it!!" and then fall to the ground. They would not listen to reason. They kicked and pounded the floor, while tears poured down their tiny faces. This scene is so common that many of us can recall witnessing such a spectacle. It is almost viewed as a normal part of human development, and it does not shock us. We empathize with the parent's embarrassment and frustrations and encourage them that thankfully children mature and grow out of the "terrible twos."

Now imagine the same scene only this time the "child" is a fourteen-year-old. We would most likely be shocked because a person this age should know better. Fourteen-year-olds are often already babysitting other children. It is a natural occurrence for humans to age, mature, and reach measurable milestones. When we do not act our age, it is unusual and reveals a deeper problem.

"You're acting like a two-year-old" is a phrase our mothers often delivered to many of us when we were stubborn and pouted at an age that we should have known better. In today's text, Paul addresses immaturity in the Church. The Corinthians struggled with divisions. They identified with the leaders who brought them to faith and believed that their way was the best. They became stubborn and prideful to the extent that fellowship with others in the church was broken. They were acting like two-year-olds, and Paul called them out on it.

Paul uses the metaphor of milk and meat. Milk represents the Word of God that addresses immaturity in Christians who had not yet crucified the flesh. The author of Hebrews said in chapter 6:1 that the foundation of the gospel consists of repentance from dead works and of faith towards God. Meat represents the word of maturity. The mature Christian has progressed beyond the basics of repentance and faith and learned how to sacrifice their desires in order to show love towards those who are still immature in the faith. Paul is frustrated because those who are older in faith are acting just like the new converts. Rather than walking in pride and selfishness, the mature are to be loving examples of Christian unity.

Jesus taught that we are to die to the flesh and give deference to each other in love. We are called to shine as bright lights that draw the lost out of darkness. He said that the world will know us by our love! Unfortunately, many of us are still acting like two-year-olds. Satan whispers to each of us that we deserve to have things our way. We believe that we know best the direction the choir should take, or we should focus more on outreach rather than the building fund. This is one of the devil’s oldest schemes. Even the apostles James and John sought to have authority over the other disciples, and this led to animosity and division (Luke 22:24). They desired authority and power, yet Jesus said that the greatest should be the servant of all (Luke 22:26).

Today, we have many divisions. Christian denominations number in the thousands, while church membership is dwindling. Strife has caused many to break fellowship, and schism has led to disunity at a time when the world is in chaotic disarray.

Paul reminds us that we are to act our age. When disagreements occur, we as the elders should remind ourselves that showing love is far more important than being right or getting our way, for "I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20).”