The church and the home are both divine institutions (Matthew 16:18; Genesis 2), which respectively serve the spiritual and social needs of mankind (1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Corinthians 7). Each of the two is distinct in its respective purposes and should be managed accordingly. The respective biblical roles of each must be preserved and respected.
Though distinct in their respective purposes and responsibilities, the church and the home have at least one characteristic in common: each of these divine institutions qualifies as a family and should function daily as such. The apostle Paul spoke clearly about the responsibilities of wives and husbands unto one another and applied the principle of a family relationship to Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). He also described the church as being the “household of God” (Ephesians 2:19). Furthermore, Paul spoke of the church as the “house of God” (1 Timothy 3:15). Clearly, the New Testament church is the family of the saved (Ephesians 5:23) and must maintain the character of family internally.
As families are established and developed, new members are born into the family. A heart-felt sense of joy is experienced by family members and friends of the family. An enlivening of the family’s spirit is aroused. With fondness the family looks to the future when the newborn child will come of age and honor the family with his maturity and accomplishments as he takes his place in the family and in society.
Newborn children are both a blessing and a joyful burden. We are blessed as we receive their unqualified love and their dependence upon us to provide absolutely everything one needs to survive, prosper and grow into a healthy, mature adult. They also place important burdens upon the other family members, especially the leadership of the family, as they enter the family as a newborn. Immediate attention is demanded, without which the child will suffer and perhaps perish. The attention demanded must be both qualitative and enduring, and both must successfully address the real, timely needs of one who can communicate only on a very basic level. Those caring for such a one must instinctively know the nature of care that must be provided if the child is to be nourished and protected from all harm. This qualitative and enduring care can only be provided by those of the family who are truly committed to the well-being of the babe who needs such delicate attention. The family invests its labors with the hope of seeing the day when this child will fulfill their fondest expectations.
As newborn children place important burdens upon other family members, babes in Christ who enter our local congregation place important burdens upon us, their family. These burdens become ours simply because babes in Christ are a part of our spiritual family. Their presence immediately generates responsibilities and places demands upon us. If we fail to address these responsibilities, we will surely be held accountable. These burdens should be borne by both the leadership and the general membership of the congregation. New members of our congregation, especially babes in Christ, require immediate spiritual care as we seek to acclimate each new member and provide a measure of spiritual security in a new and sometimes intimidating setting. The spiritual care that we provide should be quality care that endures over a broad span of time. As the newborn infant cannot be left to himself, neither can the newborn Christian be left to himself either. Our congregational programs and individual efforts must reflect this reality. If we fail in this regard, perhaps the babe in Christ may be negatively impacted for many years.
Despite the disadvantage of a babe in Christ not knowing how to assist himself in the spiritual growth process, we must take the lead and embrace him in a manner that encourages and motivates personal development and strength. We can do no less and still be pleasing to God. We need to anticipate the needs of babes in Christ and address them in a qualitative and enduring manner. This demands genuine commitment on our part. Babes instinctively love those who care for them, and if unqualified love is to be maintained from babes to their spiritual mentors, then we must begin anew to truly care for the needs of these that depend upon us so much. Brethren, we have developing babes in Christ in our congregation who need our attention. May we have the courage and commitment to address their needs so that they may grow in grace and knowledge. May the Lord bless each of us as we endeavor to guide the spiritually undeveloped among us.
