“I Don’t Want To Grow Up”

Sylvia and I were watching America’s Funnies Videos one night a few months ago. They had two young boys, about five or six years of age, being interviewed by one whom I believe was a teacher. They were each asked what they wanted to be when they grew up. One of the little boys thought for just a few seconds, and then he said, “I don’t want to grow up.” This was a very cute and funny video that we both laughed about. Yet, the more I have thought about this, the more I think it really and truly expresses the attitude manifested by many Christians today. They don’t want to grow up spiritually. It seems they wish to remain babes in Christ. Certainly, they would not express such with words, but their actions or lack of is a clear indication of such a desire.

Do you study your Bible? If not, it is an indication that you don’t want to grow up. How much time each week do you spend reading and meditating upon the word of God? Paul told the young evangelist Timothy to spend time reading, studying, and meditating on the Scriptures (1 Timothy 4:13,15; 2 Timothy 2:15). Listen to the Psalmist’s description of the law of the Lord, “More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). If you want to grow and be strong in the Lord, study and meditation is an absolute necessity (Psalm 1:2; Acts 20:32).

Do you attend Bible class? Is your absence a sign that you don’t want to grow anymore? Surely you would not contend that you already know it all, and there forth, there is no need to attend. It would be wonderful if every local church was filled with people like Cornelius. Notice what Luke recorded in Acts about this man. “So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God” (Acts 10:33). Even some of those who are present, do not study and prepare their lessons. In Romans 12:11, the writer says, “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.” Do you think if all followed these instructions given by the apostle, more would attend Bibles classes and more would be prepared when they attended? I think so! Want to grow? Why not come to class prepared to study?

Do you attend gospel meetings? These meetings provide opportunities for members to sit at the feet of men who have studied and prepared lessons that will instruct, encourage and even rebuke those that will come and listen. When Paul and Barnabas had completed their first preaching trip into Asia Minor (Turkey), they return to Antioch of Syria. The church there was gathered and these men reported what had happened while they were away preaching. “Now when they had come and gathered the church together, they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles” (Acts 14:27). Do you think the church at Antioch was eager to gather and hear what these two men had to say about the Lord’s work? How God had worked through them, opening the door of faith so that the Gentiles could be saved. When these things were reported to this church, not only were they made aware of what God did through these men, they were also being taught that grand scheme of redemption the Lord planned for all men. There seems to be a great lack of excitement and enthusiasm among the people of God to come together and hear good sound gospel preaching and teaching. Some do not want to grow up.

Do you want to grow up? Peter said, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby” (1 Peter 2:2). There is a difference between the young boy in the funny video and the Christian who does not want to grow. If this child continues to eat and exercise he will grow, whether he wants to or not. He will grow up. The Christian, by their actions, who do want to grow will not. They will die lost, not for a lack of food, but because they have no appetite (Matthew 5:6).

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