GROWING IN THE LORD

PROCLAMATION

“And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favor both with The Lord, and also with men.”  1 Samuel 2:26 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The first part of The Bible of Samuel was written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Prophet Samuel.  Chapter two begins with Hannah’s prayer. (1 Samuel 2:1-10)  The boy Samuel was presented to and left with Eli the priest, and his parents Elkanah and Hannah returned home. (1 Samuel 2:11)  Eli had two sons who knew not The Lord and behaved as scoundrels. (1 Samuel 2:12-17)  The child Samuel ministered before The Lord and grew up in the presence of The Lord. (1 Samuel 2:18-21)  But Eli’s sons continued to misbehave even after he confronted them about their behavior. (1 Samuel 2:22-25)  And Samuel grew in statue and in favor with The Lord and with the people. (1 Samuel 2:26)  Then came a man of God unto Eli and told him that because of the behavior of his sons, no one in his family would reach old age, and that his two sons would die on the same day. (1 Samuel 2:27-34)  Samuel served The Lord and grew in The Lord. (1 Samuel 2:11, 2:18, 2:21, and 2:26)

 

APPLICATION

One can grow up in the church and not grow in The Lord.  Joining the church during childhood and attending church services regularly does not guarantee that one will grow in knowledge and holiness or in service to The Lord.  In the church there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, and there are those believers who have been in church for years but are still babes in Christ and must be fed The Word of God as mild instead of meat. (1 Corinthians 3:1-2)  However, those believers who grow in The Lord will be able to rightly divide The Word of Truth and they will be able to share it with others. (1 Timothy 2:15)  Their behavior will manifest the fruit of The Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)  They will live in The Spirit and they will walk in The Spirit. (Galatians 5:25)