Rescuing the Runts!

Bo understand what rescuing the runts is all about, we first need a definition of a runt:

The runt of a litter is often very noticeable, as he or she will be much smaller than the others in the litter. Many runts demonstrate a failure to thrive, as they are unable to compete with their siblings for food and warmth. If they survive, runts may grow up to be smaller than other animals of the same species, and they sometimes develop unique personality traits as a result of their stunted childhoods. However, when a runt is taken away from the litter and given supplemental food and attention, it may develop normally  (taken from wisegeek.com)

Applying this definition to spiritual development we can spot characteristics of spiritual runts:

1. Spiritual runts are very noticeable - there frame will be much smaller than the other believers around them.  The love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control of spiritual runts will be noticeably less developed than spiritually vibrant believers. 

2. They will demonstrate a failure to thrive; that is, their growth and development will lag far behind other believers.  Even when spiritual runts have a healthy church family, their weakened spiritual condition and strength will prevent them from the same benefit enjoyed by their fellow brothers and sisters.

3. Spiritual runts will find it difficult to compete with their brothers and sisters for spiritual food and comfort.  Jesus indicated this truth: "Whoever has will be give MORE, and he will have an ABUNDANCE, whoever does not have, even that which he thinks he has will be taken from him."  This is especially true of spiritual runts

4. The survival rate of spiritual runts is far less than healthy believers.  Spiritual runts rarely endure to the end so as to be saved.  The early signs of life quickly begin to weaken from spiritual malnutrition and a premature death eventually overcomes their weakened state. 

5. A spiritual runt's potential for full maturity is greatly affected by the amount of time they will spend struggling to survive as a runt; the longer they spend as a runt, the more permanent and serious the long term effect. Thus the affects of spiritual malnutrition normally cause permanent restrictions upon spiritual capacity. 

6. Spiritual runts will often develop "unique" personality traits as a result of their stunted development.  This means that spiritual runts will have carnal character traits far into their adult life that healthy believers grow out of and overcome through the advantage of better spiritual nutrition.

Now that we have considered these characteristics to help us recognize spiritual runts - let us consider what measure must be taken in order to rescue them from a very unpleasant christian life, if they survive at all.

From the same web source we quote:

"However, when a runt is taken away from the litter and given supplemental food and attention, it may develop normally"   Basically this means that those who are strong must bear with the failings of the weak and not to please themselves.  It is certainly easier to care for those who are thriving spiritually, but without special care and attention given to the spiritual runts we know, their future is bleak.  Let us remember the words of Jesus, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor...."