To Close To Where I Got In

Donald Grey Barnhouse tells of a little boy that constantly fell out of bed. Night after night, the thump and cry would rouse the parents from their sleep. One morning, the father asked his son, “Why do you think you keep falling out of bed?” The boy thought for a moment and said, “I don’t know. I guess I stay to close to where I got in.”

While we may chuckle at the boys observations, this is a sad and unfortunate reality for many Christians. They remain to close to where they got in, and don’t stretch themselves to make sacrifices for Christ, and the result is too few people in church, too few baptisms, and too few dollars being given.

Salvation is an incredible transformation. Obviously, it is one that is essential to eternal life. However, Christ has called us, once transformed, to a life of growth. Peter said for us to desire the sincere milk of the word. (1 Peter 2:2) We are to grow our infantile spiritual lives through Bible study. But Paul encourages us to move, like a baby, from milk to meat. (1 Corinthians 3:2) I would say that we should move at least from milk to grits! If milk represents where we got in, and say T-bone steak represents full time vocational ministry, at least move on to some cereal or something! Start tithing, share your testimony, volunteer for a service ministry. Go from learning to teaching God’s laws and Christ’s principles. Christ tells us to multiply our ministry by going, telling, and replicating. (Matthew 28:19-20)

In order to do these, we cannot stay close to where we got in. We must move farther and farther into Christ’s Kingdom. It never ceases to amaze me how many people are involved in The Christian CIA. They come in to church on Sunday to get the game plan, then enter covert mode when they leave. Jesus doesn’t want undercover agents! He wants heralds, clarions, and preachers of the Gospel.

Where will your faith take you in 2009? 2010? Move closer to Christ; study the word, teach it’s precepts, and share the faith with everyone you meet. Please, desire the sincere milk, but for Christ’s sake move on to the blessings of a diet full of ministry meat.

Blessings

Steve