The Loss of Remaining Spiritually Immature

Galatians 4:1 KJV

Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

What's the Difference?

Speaking in reference especially to the Jews, the apostle tells us that the heir, so long as he is a child, is no different than a servant.

• He is the lord of all the family possessions
• He will one day control the family business
• He will one day inherit all the family estate

But as a child, he is no different than any employee on the estate. He was under tutors and governors (themselves servants) until he reached maturity.

The Jews were to compare this to before and after the coming of Christ. Prior to Christ the Law served as a schoolmaster. They were under the authority of the law though the itself was a lesser vessel, destined to be done away, until such a time as their Heavenly Father appointed them.

I see an application to the Christian here, and I think it is the point the apostle is aiming at; that the Christian, as long as he remains spiritually immature, is little different than the one who is yet lost. He is possessor of a great inheritance, but in his immaturity he gets little benefit from it.

Paul spoke of such childishness in 1 Corinthians 13 and said there comes a time, in maturity, that we must put away childish things. He said in Ephesians 4 that God gave us in the church apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers for our equipping, perfecting and ultimately maturing.

It behooves us to avail ourselves to their ministry that we may out away childish things and enjoy the benefits of our Heavenly Father.