Resources/Articles
A Child's First Steps
As therefore ye received Christ Jesus the Lord,
so walk in Him.
Colossians 2.6
I doubt anyone remembers their first steps as a child, but we do remember our children’s first steps. We have it recorded on paper or in a video clip. “He took his first step!” we told our parents in our excitement. What a wonderful experience. Is it really such a major announcement? Most people can walk. It is expected. At some point, most everyone will. Why is this such a big deal? The reality is not everyone will walk. Some will never experience such achievement and there will be a set of parents who will never be able to make such an exciting phone call.
A walk in Christ for the first time is a joyful moment. It was for the eunuch (Acts 8.39). Those first steps he had as a Christian had to be an experience he would always treasure. As a child of God, everything about his life had changed. His zeal, love, and belief had to be something others noticed. His family and associates would have seen the differences in his attitude and behavior. You cannot help but rejoice with this man at his “new birth” and first steps.
Those first steps as a Christian bring truth to the words “children of God.” Embarking upon a relationship with God as His children is something we will never regret, nor should we fail to appreciate. Romans 8.17 says, “...and if children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ...” Being adopted as a child of God has privileges no parent could ever give their child in a lifetime. The blessings are rich, abundant, and constant. They never fail in sustaining us against temptations and trials. This is what makes taking those first steps in Christ so important.
Every one of our steps is under the careful eye of God. He is watching us take each step with gladness, as a parent who watches his child take the first of many steps. He desires each step be taken with caution and growth. This is why 2 Peter 1.5-11 exhorts us to add to our faith. “Baby steps” in Christ are wonderful. God expects our future steps to be a sign of spiritual growth. As Ephesians 4.14 says, “...that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, in craftiness, after the wiles of error...” God rejoices in our walk, but more than that, He wants us to walk toward Him. “Look therefore carefully how ye walk, not as unwise, but as wise” (Ephesians 5.15).
One thing about a baby’s first steps is they are most often taken holding on to the hand of a parent. As a Christian, our first steps are holding on to the hand of God, guided by His word. Never let go of His hand. Always be guided by His word in this present world. Live in holiness, righteousness, and godliness. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus (1 Peter 2.21).
