In any house in America children do chores based on age, and maturity. The babies do not clean bathrooms and the teens do not wear diapers. Some teens are mature enough to drive and others are not. Every parent knows what their own children can and can not do. I wish the church leadership were so wise.
Some older Christians remember the effort it took to overcome some youthful lusts, and they have compassion on new converts. Others are dictatorial and expect the the young to be as mature as their elders. Too many times though baby spirits become discouraged and need more of the sincere milk of the Word. 1Pe_2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
Some Pastors or leaders don’t give them time to mature but deem them nonviable and abort them spiritually. Yes, abort! When a new born child of God is ‘ignored, maligned and withdrawn from’ it is to the destruction of that Child of God. You see – no parent would ignore their new baby. New babies are filthy, and they mess all over themselves. The parent realizes the baby doesn’t know better and cleans them up. They suffer long with the baby as it grows. Can you imagine what they would miss out on if they throw the baby away before it’s grown? There would be no bicycle. no drivers licence, no school and no graduation! The habits and temptations of the new convert are temporary – if you train them up in the way!
Parents have it good because they can visibly see their child at their current age. Pastors and leaders are disadvantaged because their baby can be any physical age. They may have a 60 year old baby, whose used to being the boss. The difficulty comes with the discipleship of baby spirits residing in older human bodies. 2Co 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. So Im not speaking of some Eastern religion. Obviously our flesh retains the same age when we are born again, but our spirit is reborn, and is brand new, thus a baby spirit! Gal 6:15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
We must pray and be led of God as to how to treat new converts. We can’t be led by popular opinion, or respond to their faults in a way that pushes them out. We have to be like parents and teachers to the baby spirits in our care. We are, after all big sisters and brothers who care for their spiritual siblings. The Father doesn’t want His children abused, and He doesn’t look fondly on His kids fighting! Parents are often heard to tell the older kids, “be careful what you do in front of the other kids, they will mock you!” Yes even spiritual children mock or copy you.
Do you remember the play ground? Remember joey pulling Suzy’s hair cause he thought about it. We learn to resist those thoughts as we grow up. For the Christian thoughts of revenge, or lustful desires we learn are temptations and we need to resist them. The location is different but the premise is the same. Kids of all ages need love, support and instruction.
The playground was loud and we all remember the bullies. Spiritual bullies are the worst. Some of them believe they have far exceeded others spiritually so they can tell everyone what to do. These people will give you a choice, basically choose them or they cant be your friend. They can’t just be happy for you when you are promoted. They will give you all the reasons why it should be them. They will try to force “by words” your decisions be made to benefit them. Bullies are bullies on the playground and in the church. You have to resist the bully – yet pray for them as they learn a different way of getting along.
As Christians we are Gods family! We are all ages, all sizes and all levels of service. We all have talents and we all want to be loved and accepted. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
I remember my mom saying, “you kids kiss and make up.” Oh we hated to hear that. It meant mom was going to force us to kiss and hug each other. Mom would say – we don’t treat family that way. They are our blood. It seems sometimes I can hear God saying – they are family! We don’t treat family like that. Can you see God the father directing the kids to kiss and make up. Our spiritual brothers and sisters are all ages, maturity and financial levels. They have good days and bad. They may fall, make mistakes, sin and repent but they are family. We are adopted into the great big family of God. We must grab hands and pull each other along. We can not leave any of our siblings behind. Gal 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
No one is too clean, and no one is too lost. God has plenty of room and He loves us all the same. Gal 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. There is no sin too bad and no bondage too strong for our Father to break. To my brothers and sisters of every age – to the baby spirits broken to the elders tired and ready to quit. To all who are weary and heavy laden – lean on Jesus – copy Jesus – mock Jesus who prayed
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Give us day by day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever amen
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