Are You a "Pregnant" Christian?

When a woman conceives, she is called pregnant. She is with-child and expectantly awaiting the arrival of her baby. While the labor is hard, she would not put it off. Her joy and expectation outweigh the pain she will feel. And while she may be afraid of the weighty task of raising a child before her, to delay the inevitable is unthinkable, let alone impossible. So what does this have to do with Christianity and faith? How are Christians pregnant?

John 2:4 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

Luke 4:17-19 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written,

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me,
Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.
He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,
And recovery of sight to the blind,
To set free those who are oppressed,

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.”

Timing is everything. A baby that arrives too early will have trouble surviving because it is not fully developed, but if it comes late it will also have problems. Jesus knew the importance of timing, and He waited to reveal Himself as the Messiah until the time was right. In the mean time, He prepared and spent His waiting time productively.

But the whole point of preparation is to be ready for the appointed time. In Matthew 25, Jesus talks about the ten virgins who waited for the bridegroom. Five were prepared and allowed to enter the feast; the other five were not ready and so were not admitted. We need to be prepared for what is to come, but what is no point in preparing if we never intend to be used?

As Christians we are to study the Bible, know the Word, be ready. It is not enough to go to church and never change. We need to be renewed and transformed daily to be more like Christ. Bible study, in groups and individually, is an excellent resource for this. We should be diligent in gleaning all we can from scripture so we can use and apply it. But what use is all of that knowledge and wisdom if we don’t use it?

James 2:18-20 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?

I first heard the term “pregnant Christian” in relation to this passage. When we accept Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit in us and begin growing and acquiring knowledge and wisdom. In a sense we are impregnated and within us a seedling is grown. But what benefit is it to have this seedling if it is never born, if we never give birth to it? We are called to be ready, but many go through the preparations never to use it. They learn and study, but never serve others or share what they have learned. Their faith is dead because it does not produce any fruit.

I am not proclaiming a works based religion here. We are saved by faith alone, but that faith is to cause transformation. It should propel us to serve and share. Works are not a means to salvation, but proof of salvation. The fruit that the Spirit produces in us is evidence that the Spirit is in us. If we have no fruit, what evidence is there that we have the Spirit? Of course we cannot judge the salvation of another, but we can and should judge ourselves.

We learn and study to be ready. We need to use that preparation for Christ and for others. The whole point of being pregnant is to give birth. We need to give birth to our faith so that it can grow and bless others rather than just staying within us. It is of little benefit and no use there. As with God’s love, once we receive it we need to share it.

Are you a pregnant Christian? Have you been preparing and studying, but not putting it to good use? Ask God to give you the courage and guidance to put your faith into practice, to help you grow fruit and give birth to a living, transforming faith.

If you haven’t been impregnated yet, if you either haven’t received salvation or are just attending church without spending personal time on your faith, ask God to plant that seed inside you. Ask Him to indwell you and make Himself real to you. He stands at the door, all you have to do is open it. Open the door, make your faith personal and begin a life of transformation!