Milk vs Steak

The church that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians to had a problem. Sure, there were divisions among them over which teacher the preferred, or which pastor had baptized them. Some claimed Paul, others Apollos or Cephas; others still simply claimed Christ. However, as Paul points out in the beginning of chapter 3, this was just a symptom of a larger problem - spiritual immaturity. For this reason Paul calls them "babies in Christ" who were only capable of feeding on milk rather than solid food. What would Paul have to say if he were writing 1 Americans today?

First let me make an important point of clarification before digging into this passage. Paul is writing to people he addresses as "brothers and sisters," "those sanctified in Christ Jesus," "called as saints" and so forth. There is no question in the apostle's mind that he is writing to people who have been redeemed. He's writing to Christians! I say that to hopefully ward off any idea that we must reach a predetermined level of spiritual maturity before we are saved. In the words of Paul, may it never be!

It is one of the greatest spiritual tragedies of the past 150 years or so that the moment of salvation has been so overemphasized that it has become the singular goal of the Christian life, as if once salvation is achieved there is nothing left for the Christian to do other than sit around and wait for death or Jesus to return. Is conversion, and the moment of conviction and surrender important? Is it important to fall on our knees and cry out to God for salvation and forgiveness of our sins? Absolutely! Being born-again is the first step in our eternal life. It is when we are brought from spiritual death to spiritual life, but it is only a starting point. Rather than the moment of salvation being the end of the race, it is the beginning and the Bible encourages us to "run the race as if to win a prize (1 Cor. 9:24)." Too many Christians stall after the light turns green and never grow in Christ.

Next, we need to admit that there is a spectrum of maturity among Christians. As Paul tells the Corinthians, some are still on milk when they should have graduated to solid food. The same sentiment is expressed in Hebrews 5:11ff. Once we are born-again we should be growing in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit.

One of the sharpest criticisms that Paul levels at the Corinthians in this passage is in verse 3, "are you not worldly and behaving like mere humans (CSB)?" The NASB translates it this way, "are you not walking like mere men?" The word translated "behaving" or "walking" is peripateite which simply means "walking around", "to live," "follow," or "be occupied with." Why is this significant? The fundamental call of Christ has always been, and always will be "follow me." This is how he called his disciples and this is what he asks us to do. It is more than just "believe in me" (although that is part of it), it is "come and walk in my footsteps." The word "disciple" essentially means one who follows along after a teacher. In Galatians 5:16 Paul encourages us to "walk in the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." Though the Corinthians Christians were redeemed they were still walking in the pattern of "mere men" or the flesh, a sure sign of spiritual immaturity. Who are you following?

The issue of spiritual immaturity is never about a lack of resources, least of all as American/Western Christians today. All Christians, everywhere have equal access to the Holy Spirit who is the agent of God's revelation and the illuminator of Scripture. The Corinthian church had the Holy Spirit. Christians living in the Peruvian jungle have the Holy Spirit. Christians meeting in secret for fear of persecution in China have the Holy Spirit. Christians in America, or Great Britain, or Canada have the Holy Spirit.

In addition to the Holy Spirit many of us have access to resources that could scarcely have been imagined by the likes of Paul. On my shelf alone there are probably a dozen different English translations of the Bible. Go to any Christian bookstore and stand in awe of the endless selection of Bible studies and books to help us grow in Christ. Furthermore, in my county there are over sixty churches in my denomination alone, not to mention other denominations which would take the total to well over 100.

The issue of spiritual maturity for many is not about lack of resources, it is about wrong priorities. What keeps you from joining fellow believers in worship and hearing the Word of God preached? I know there are legitimate reasons that people cannot make it to church, and God understands those too. Are you missing out on an integral part of your spiritual life (corporate worship) for a legitimate reason, or is it simply that you have not prioritized it? Have you found something else you'd rather do on Sunday morning? The same can be said for spending time with God in his Word. In this day and age there is no excuse for not spending a little bit of time reading the Bible each day. I mean you can have scripture texted to you! Growing in Christ must be a priority for us, or we will spend our lives suckling milk instead of going on to the solid food and having the Gospel of Christ penetrate every area of our lives.

So, what's it going to be milk, or steak and potatoes?