Psalm 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.

Yesterday I spoke of the needs of our babes in Christ and our responsibilities towards them. As with all children, especially God’s children, walking is the next progressive step in growth. We are to walk with these toddlers and teach them how to walk. We will get into that shortly but first let us talk about one more aspect of growth in Christ that most would care not to deal with.

Babies make messes. While it makes them uncomfortable and they cry about it loudly, they are not yet in a position to clean up their own messes. They need help, support and understanding. You do not spank a baby for messing a diaper, it is an inevitable part of growth.

At some point in the growth process a child will learn how to control themselves. Until that time care must be exerted on our part not to make too much of a fuss over the mess. Remember this valuable lesson from my personal life experience, I was really bad at potty training. I had to call in someone with those skills.

This is why I began this session with Psalm 55:14, we take sweet counsel together. We do not all have the gifts required for every task. Our tendency is to take charge and full responsibility. In doing so we overreach and the toddler stumbles. A stumble is a natural thing, only we should not be the cause of the stumble.

1 Peter 5:5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.

It isn’t easy being subject to a toddler but in humility look to their needs and not your own.

Matthew 19:14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.

A successful businessman and community leader responds to an altar call, accepting Christ. The leaders of the church gather around him and welcome him into the fold. They immediately start making plans in how he can be useful to the church. He response, “I don’t need a job. I need a savior.”

This is an old tale that has been circulated around churches for decades as a reminder of two very important aspects of salvation. The first is responsibility of service and the second is growth in Christ.

As I stated some time ago we all enter the kingdom as babes in Christ. The responsibility of service is required to provide a sanctuary for this babe in Christ. Babes are defenseless, vulnerable and in need of bonding to promote security and love. Babies need to be cuddled.

Deuteronomy 33:27a,b The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee;

So often church members accept that God is our refuge, but allow me to point to the position of the everlasting arms. They are underneath, below, and we the body of Christ are more than the hands and feet of Christ, we are also those everlasting arms.

I never felt so alone as those days after my altar call. Everyone left me in search of another lost sheep to dip. While they were away, the enemy came upon me. They did not provide me with any protective covering, no bonding, no sanctifying efforts whatsoever. I was vulnerable, alone and under attack.

That is no way to treat a newborn!