Lesson 285: "Responsibility To Grow"
You have believed on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him as your Savior. You have been baptized and have joined a Christian body. Now comes the growing season. Is growth necessary? Who will help? What are things to do that will help? Polls taken in 1995 showed one in every three adults were “born again” Christians yet there seems to be no change in society. This is change in belief without change in behavior; in other words some are saved, find a seat in church and never “move”. Sadder yet is that some are saved and never find a place in the Body of Christ. God has blessed us with everything we need to live and serve Him but we are required to do out best to add to these things (2 Pet. 1:5-15). Also, each and everyone will give an account of himself to God (Rom. 14:12); “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ that each one may receive what id due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad” (2 Cor. 5:10).
Who and what will help the growth of a new Christian? Elders of the churches are to be shepherds of God’s flock that is under their care, serving as overseers. Not because they must but because they are willing as God wants them to be (1 Pet. 5:1-4). Christians who are young in their faith need close fellowship with those further along in their Christian life. Do you have someone who helps refine, confront, disciple and encourage you? Do you do this for someone else? The angels are ministering spirits sent here to serve us (Heb. 1:14); brothers and sisters in Christ are to restore those caught in sin GENTLY and carry each other’s burdens (Gal. 6:1-2). Prayer is when we move away from ourselves, our worries and direct all that we recognize as ours to God in simple trust that no matter where we are, God is as close as a prayer. Jesus taught us how to pray (Matt. 6:9-13) and the psalmist taught us to listen (Ps. 46:10). The powerful energy of Christ will work within you (Col. 1:29) as you continue to live in Him (Col. 2:6). Read the Scripture to understand what the Lord’s will is for your life, speak with psalms, sing and make music in your heart to the Lord (Eph. 5:17-19), doing what the Word says (James 1:22).
Forgiveness is a stage of growth that we all find exceedingly difficult. Sometimes we can release grudges only one level at a time and only then if the other person shows proper response. I will forgive you in time! I will forgive you but get out of my life! This is called “qualified” forgiveness! We must not “say” forgiveness but rather we must “do” forgiveness. Jesus showed us how to “do” forgiveness on the Cross. Telling people you love them and that Jesus loves them more is a sure sign of Christian growth. In the growing stages of the patriarchs God never left out love. Abram, you will be the father of many nations! And Abram, tell the people I love them. Moses, you will deliver my people! And Moses, tell the people I love them. Joshua, you will lead the chosen ones to Canaan! And Joshua, tell the people I love them. Jesus, you will die for the sins of the world! And Son, tell the people I love them (John. 3:16). “If I do not have love, I am nothing” (1 Cor. 13:2b).
Gifts are essential (1 Cor. 12:1-11, 14:1-40). Through the gifts of the Spirit, we speak to God; God speaks to us and we minister to the people (read the passages here carefully and follow the “rules of the gifts”). Compassion is a must! “Until I have learned the value of compassionately sharing others’ sorrow, distress and misfortune, I cannot know real happiness” (Billy Graham). Work with the Master and trust that He knows the ultimate way to bring you to maturity (Eze. 36:26-27). The Holy Spirit is your #1 helper; this is why Jesus Christ sent Him (John 15:26, 16:8-11, Rom. 8:26-26=7). Grace is absolutely and totally free! You will never be asked to pay for it and you could not even if you tried. It should not be so hard to share this free gift; to extend favor and kindness to one you think does not deserve it; but only maturity in faith and growth in Christ will allow you to feel the desire to show grace. I suppose all will agree that the worst part of growing is the pain; however, it is quite possibly the most effective agent (1 Pet. 4:12-13) since God, too uses it to bring us to Him. “Come; let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but He will heal us; He has injured us but He will bind up our wounds” (Hosea 6:1).
Eliminate the clutter in your life! Concentrate on listening to the teachings of the gospel; devote yourself to fellowship with other believers and the prayers. The Greek has the article “the” in front of prayers; this is the term used in Acts 3:1. “One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of THE prayers; this indicates there should be a “set time” for each and every Christian to pray. To overcome obstacles in your part to spiritual understanding takes wisdom; you must seek God’s wisdom who gives it generously (James 1:5) and to obtain this wisdom you must recognize the one who gives it. Jesus Christ! “Have you seen Him? That is really seen Him through spiritual eyes? Those who first did were never the same. ‘My Lord and my God’, cried Thomas! ‘I have seen the Lord’, exclaimed Mary Magdalene! ‘We have seen His glory’, declared John! ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked’, rejoiced the two Emmaus bound disciples? ‘We were eye witnesses of His majesty’, stated Peter. Something happens to a person who has witnessed His majesty. One glimpse of the King and you are consumed by a desire to see more of Him” (Max Lucado). To long to see more of Jesus is, without a doubt, the greatest growing season that will ever come into your life!
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