Even as unto babes in Christ
I broke my foot this last Christmas and it's taken a full 3 months to get to the point where I am able to learn to walk again. That's right, as an adult, I once again find myself teaching myself to walk. Don't get me wrong, it's great to be at this point, but it also makes me feel bit like a baby. This reminds me of something Paul said in a letter to his friends at the church in Corinth, many of whom he had brought to Jesus but who were now bickering amongst themselves over trivial topics. Paul calls these Christian friends of his babies, who need to be fed with milk, or in my case need to learn to walk again.
1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
What gets me though is the reason that they are being called babies. It's because they've started fighting, even amongst themselves...
3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
They hadn't always been like this, in fact Paul was praising them earlier in his letter...
4I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
5That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
6Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
7So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Then a bit later he gives this plea
9God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.