By Florilyn Barnhart
CalledBackToGod.com
Many churches celebrate when someone comes forward, prays a sinner’s prayer, or professes faith in Jesus Christ.
And they should.
The Bible tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.
But what happens after that?
What happens when the excitement fades?
What happens when the new believer struggles with old habits, inconsistent church attendance, unanswered questions, or spiritual immaturity?
Too often, some Christians become frustrated and ask:
“If they really got saved, why aren’t they growing?”
Perhaps we should ask a different question:
“Who is helping them grow?”
Growth Does Not Happen Overnight
When a child is born, no one expects that child to immediately walk, speak, read, or function like an adult.
Growth Does Not Happen Overnight
When a child is born, no one expects that child to immediately walk, speak, read, or function like an adult.
Growth takes time.
In the same way, spiritual growth does not happen overnight.
A person may sincerely come to Christ and still struggle with old habits, past wounds, wrong thinking, addictions, fears, doubts, or simply a lack of biblical knowledge.
The Apostle Paul wrote to believers in Corinth who were still acting immaturely despite having received the gospel. They were believers, yet they struggled with jealousy, division, and worldly behavior.
Spiritual birth and spiritual maturity are not the same thing.
One is the beginning of the journey.
The other is the result of years of walking with Christ.
Whose Job Is It To Help Them Grow?
Many churches are excellent at getting people to make decisions.
But Jesus did not simply tell His followers to make converts.
He said:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
Notice the word “teaching.”
Discipleship requires time.
It requires patience.
It requires relationship.
It requires mature believers who are willing to walk alongside younger believers and help them understand what it means to follow Christ.
A new believer should not be left alone after praying a prayer.
They need encouragement.
They need sound teaching.
They need people who will answer questions and model the Christian life.
God Gives The Growth
While the church has a responsibility to disciple believers, we must remember that God is the One who causes spiritual growth.
Paul wrote:
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” (1 Corinthians 3:6)
No pastor can force growth.
No sermon can guarantee maturity.
No church program can transform a heart.
Only God can do that.
Our responsibility is faithfulness.
God’s responsibility is transformation.
Before We Criticize, Let Us Examine Ourselves
Sometimes it is easy to criticize people who are struggling.
It is easy to point at someone who has been a Christian for a year and ask why they are not growing faster.
But perhaps a better question is:
Who is praying for them?
Who is teaching them?
Who is encouraging them?
Who is helping them understand God’s Word?
Who is walking beside them when they fail?
The early church did not merely preach the gospel and disappear.
They invested in people.
They taught them.
They corrected them.
They encouraged them.
They loved them.
The Goal Is Discipleship
The goal is not simply to get someone to repeat a prayer.
The goal is to help people become lifelong followers of Jesus Christ.
Some believers grow quickly.
Others grow slowly.
Some stumble many times before they gain spiritual stability.
Yet throughout the process, God remains faithful.
Rather than condemning those who are struggling, let us become the kind of Christians who help them grow.
The church does not need more critics.
The church needs more disciple-makers.
— Florilyn Barnhart
CalledBackToGod.com