January 7
‘My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.’ Galatians 4:19
Bible reading: Luke 2:40-52 (Go to the Bible passage)
One can belong to the Church of Jesus Christ through faith that Jesus died on the cross for all our sins. But Paul did not rest before Jesus had manifested Himself in all the believers in the church of Galatia.
The same applies to our age, and therefore we cannot rest either, before we see that Jesus is manifested in our brothers and sisters around us.
It is not true that, once we have bowed our knees in submission to Him, we suddenly become complete Christians. The Bible then compares us to new-born babies, who may grow to salvation by good food and care. Such babies need a lot of attention and love in the congregation. Many young people who really have chosen for Christ are lacking this love and care. They are eyed with suspicion by their elders or spiritually overburdened.
Today’s message - coming to us from this passage of Scripture - is, I feel, what we read in verse 40 and 52, so at the beginning and at the end of this passage: ‘And the child (Jesus) grew and became strong; He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on Him.’ And: ‘Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.’
Likewise He will grow in us - gradually but increasingly - when by faith He finds a dwelling-place in our hearts, if we - delighted as we are by His revelation - are prepared to be obedient to our ‘elders’ as He was, as the scriptures say, ‘in childlike awe of God’.
For in Jesus Christ He has set us an example to follow.

Share This