God expects his people to grow. Peter said, "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Pet. 2:2). Again he said, "But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ . . ." (2 Pet. 3:18). Let's notice some things about full-grown Christians.

(1) Grown Christians have convictions. Christians must not be as Paul said, "tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine" (Eph. 4:14). To have convictions is to be "grounded and sett4ed" (Col. 1:23). We must have our feet on the ground and know why we believe what we do.

(2) Full-grown Christians are faith contenders. Jude said, ". . . that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). We must be ready and able to stand up for the truth. We must know how to answer men concerning our hope.

(3) Christians put away childish things. Paul said, "when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Cor. 13:11). We are admonished to "quit you like men. . ." (1 Cor. 16:13). This means to behave like a man! When members of the church pout and just have to have their own way, it is a good sign that they need to grow up.

(4) Full-grown Christians are strong. It is a command of God to be strong (1 Cor. 16:13). Paul said, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might" (Eph. 6:10). One way to be strong is to eat the right kind of spiritual food (Matt. 4:4) and exercise ourselves unto godliness (Heb. 5:14).

(5) Full-grown Christians are Christ like. We are told to have the "mind of Christ" (Phil. 2:5-8). We have been told to "follow his steps" (1 Pet. 2:21). We must continue to ask ourselves, "What would Christ do or what would he say?"

(6) Full-grown Christians have influence. Influence is either for good or bad. Christians have good influence! Their lights are shining for good (Matt. 5:16). Their lives are ordered after the New Testament way of life. Are you growing daily?

Truth Magazine XXIII: 14, p. 237
April 5, 1979