“My little children of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in them” Galatians 4:19 (KJV).
Conception, incubation, birth pang and parenting are the demanding processes of raising children both in the natural realm and the spiritual realm. A lot of people desire to have spiritual sons and daughters but not many are prepared to go through the process of raising children. Birthing a child is an event but raising a child is a process.
When a sinner commits to the Lordship of Jesus by obedient response to the gospel, a spirit birth results but like a new born babe is nurtured, the spiritual baby is to be nurtured by effective follow up and discipleship. It is not enough to lead a soul to Christ, raising spiritual children demands that someone commits to the newly born again Christian in prayer, spiritual care, love, teaching and encouragement until the new convert is rooted and grounded in the faith.
Unfortunately, many people commit to the gospel by declaring for Jesus and they are led to church without the nurturing that they require for forming the foundation of their faith. Such converts not properly disciple, could be blown off their feet by wind and storms of temptations and persecutions or ridicule from their colleagues.
Apostle Paul travailed for them again and again until Christ was fully formed in them. This is a pattern for every believer who has the responsibility of parenting or nurturing new converts.
Spiritual travailing is an intense work that demands energy, time both in prayers, the teaching and caring for the new convert. Parenting is not complete until the child is established and thus in position to nurture others.
The ultimate goal of spiritual parenting is Christ-likeness. His character, his value, his power and his purpose should be the goal we work to achieve in the lives of the people we raise. We should aim at raising them to the level of sonship so they can be his ambassadors.
PRAYER: Oh God, grant me the passion and commitment to raise spiritual children to conform to your son Jesus.
Rev. Vincent Diolu