The
apostle Paul established the churches in Galatia. The Christians there were
like his children. He addressed them as “My little children”. It
is expressive of the apostle's strong love and affection for them. To every
parent, their children will always be their little children even after
they have married and have children of their own.
Paul
addressed them very tenderly as their spiritual parent. He travailed for them
as a mother giving birth. When he first came among them, he laboured
exceedingly for their souls. And, as a loving mother, he never failed to watch
out for them ever since. He watched them matured in Christ. He now saw them
becoming as babes again. The false apostles coming in among them had changed
them and caused them to return to their old religion of Judaism. It pained Paul
to see his children remained as little children. Like a mother who is
expecting, Paul felt as if he was in labour again until Christ would once again
formed in them. He had to teach them about Christ all over again.
However
cute your child may be, you still want to see him grow taller each day. No
parents will want to hold that same baby for twenty years. They want him to
mature. They want their cute little baby to grow up not only physically but
also mentally. They would not want a twenty year old child with a three year
old intelligence.
But
in spiritual growth, why is it that some feel it is all right to remain as
babes in Christ? They have not grown unto spiritual maturity? Why is it that
some think it is perfectly normal to be a twenty year old Christian but with a
three year old knowledge of the bible? God wants every Christian to grow: “But
grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”
(2 Pet 3:18). He provides the spiritual milk that we can grow: “As newborn
babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby” (1
Pet 2:2).
And,
God is disappointed when Christians fail to grow: “For
when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach
you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become
such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat” (Heb 5:12).
Imagine,
a child who is unable to eat meat but is still drinking milk all these years.
Does it cause you to worry for him? I do. I wish every child of God can grow
unto spiritual maturity. I wish every child of God will become excellent bible
class teacher and preacher. I wish that Christ is formed in each and every one
of them.
The
Hebrew writer says: “Ye ought to be teachers,” (Heb 5:12). Every
Christian ought to be able to instruct others about his faith. You may not be a
bible class teacher or a gospel preacher, but you ought to be able to explain
to others the truths of the Christian religion: “But sanctify the Lord God
in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh
you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet
3:15).
Paul
will continue to travail in pain unless Christ is formed in the Christians he
has converted. As an elder, I care very much about the spiritual health of each
and every member of the flock. It saddens me when a child of God falls away. It
saddens me when a child of God is not growing in the faith. I wish every child
of God has Christ formed in him.
What
does it mean to have Christ formed in a person?
1.
It is to have the knowledge about Christ. John 6:45
2.
It is to have faith in Christ. John 6:29
3.
It is to have the mind of Christ. Php 2:5
4.
It is to be a follower of Christ. 1 Pet 2:21
When
Christ is formed in a person, he becomes like Christ in his thoughts, words,
and deeds. He can speak like Paul: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless
I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in
the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself
for me” (Gal 2:20).
Is
Christ living in you? Are you like Christ in your faith and daily living? Let
us strive to have Christ formed in us: “And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is
that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom 12:2).
Jimmy Lau
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