A Chance to Grow

READ: EPHESIANS 4:1-16; PHILIPPIANS 1:3-6, 9-11

Imagine for a moment you were caring for a newborn baby, and then, the day after their birth, you just expected them to be able to walk. That would be ridiculous, right? Babies can’t do everything right away when they’re born. They grow up gradually, learning a little at a time.

It’s the same way with Christians. The Holy Spirit helps us grow in our faith throughout our whole lives. As we go to church, read the Bible, pray, and spend time with other Christians, we learn more about Jesus and how to live the way He calls us to. And one of the ways Jesus calls us to follow Him is by being patient with others, not giving up on people but encouraging them.

Sometimes, we as the body of Christ are less than kind to baby Christians— siblings in Christ who have only recently put their trust in Jesus and been “born again” into God’s family (John 3:1-17). If we’ve grown up in the church and trusted Jesus since we were little, we sometimes expect new Christians to immediately act as though they’ve been walking with the Lord for many years. And, when we see them struggling with sin, sometimes we slightly-older siblings fall for a certain temptation: criticizing our younger siblings rather than encouraging them and praying with and for them.

So today, if we feel we should point out to someone that they’re not acting in a way that fits with who they are in Jesus, let’s do it in a loving way. After all, none of us are perfect! We all struggle with sin, and we all need the grace of Jesus. As we remember the love Jesus has shown both to us and to our siblings, we can build each other up as He helps all of us grow. • A. W. Smith

• Who are some people that have helped you grow in your walk with Jesus? What were some of the things they said or did—or didn’t say or do—that were especially valuable to you?

• As Christians, we and our fellow siblings in Christ all struggle with sin, and we are all beloved by God, no matter how long we’ve been Christians. How can resting in this truth help us treat each other with kindness?

Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone. 1 Thessalonians 5:14b (NLT)