2Corinthians 5:17-18 (Amplified) tells us, "Therefore, if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ Jesus (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral or spiritual condition) has passed. Behold, the fresh and new has come. But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself (received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself) and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation (that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him)."
As new creation family, we've been fairly successful at sowing the Seed for the new birth, but we've neglected the raising and maturing the sons and daughters into adulthood. 1Peter 2:2 (Amplified) says, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto (completed) salvation." Jesus said in Matthew 4:4 (Amplified), "It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every Word that comes from the mouth of God."
We've mostly done what we have heard and taught what has been handed down by those before us. We haven't questioned much or even delved into the Word, for more and deeper insight and wisdom. The old hymn, "Give Me That Old Time Religion," wasn't merely a song, but a way of spiritual life for many years. And, while that was good enough for ages past, there's so much more to walking with our Heavenly Father. I want more than just enough milk to make me a happy, fat baby for the rest of my Christian walk. I desire substance that helps me grow and be a vessel fit for the Master's use.
There will always be babies in the Body of Christ, as we get them born-again. Babies are the only way to begin the family, but they're supposed to mature into adult Christians. We've majored on how to dress, what to ear, how to worship, what day's the correct day for attending church and even on whether or not we should attend church. We've come to the place where we think we have it all together and don't need anything more.
I suppose, for those who feel they've reached maturity and have become all they want to be or are called to be, this is enough. We have decided that all things will continue like they are and what we know will sustain us and see us through. And, most of us believe that our true vision for being Christians, will happened when we leave this earth.
The Father is directing and leading His children into learning how to live by the Spirit, while walking in this world. We are not "of this world," but we are in this world. It hasn't been our staying out of sin, but living in the Spirit, because we knew what we should and shouldn't do, even before being saved. Some of us ignored the Truth of wrongdoing, and simply "went with the flow." Many even wore T-shirts with the hedonist slogan of "If it feels good, do it." This didn't mean they saw nothing wrong with this philosophy, but they didn't think it mattered. Most in the Body of Christ, aren't searching for a way of living in sin while maintaining their salvation. We've seriously tried restraining the flesh from sin, but haven't matured into what the Word calls us to be, "His righteousness."
Jesus directed in Matthew 6:33 (Amplified), "But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things (food, shelter, clothing, drink) taken together will be given you besides." Our Father wants to reveal His nature and ability in and through us, so that if affects even this natural realm in our lives. He wants these things to affect how we live on earth.
Many have reached the place in their Christian walk, where they've stopped growing and have settled into tradition. This doesn't mean that they are not saved and are not still God's children, but they're reached the place where they no longer crave after and desire the growing up into completed salvation. As a teenager, I believed I was mature and completed and no one could tell me any differently. I had no concept of what being mature really meant. The responsibilities of being mature, meant that I could do what I wanted to do, without anyone telling me what to do. I thought I was grown up. The things I learned in my younger years, were only the beginning of what I would need to learn as I grew up.
After we've been saved and have become new creations, how do we live and conduct our lives, here on earth? It's not only a matter of not sinning, but doing what is "His way of doing and being right." It takes much wisdom to accomplish "His way" of walking and living in the Spirit, while we're here on earth. We've mostly governed ourselves by ourselves, instead of by the Spirit and the Word. In John 6:63 (Amplified) Jesus said, "It is the Spirit Who gives Life (He is the Life-Giver) the flesh (or senses) conveys no benefit whatever (there is no profit in it). The Words (Truths) that I have been speaking to you are Spirit and Life."
Walking in this world and Living by the Spirit are a matter of maturing our new creation spirit man. Learning how to receive Wisdom from our Father by our spirit, in order to make our decision here in this world, is seeking "His way of doing and being right."
I'm not saying that we're not learning or growing or that everything we've been doing until now is wrong, but we're still adolescence and not adults. Many in the Body of Christ, have become young adult or teenagers, but haven't reached adulthood. 1John 2:12-13 (Amplified) tells us, "I am writing to you little children, because for His Name's sake your sins are forgiven (pardoned through His Name and on account of confessing His Name). I am writing to you, Fathers, because you have come to know (recognize and be aware of, and understand) Him Who (has existed from the beginning)."
The above scripture speaks about being "mature" and not just being older. Growing up in the Spirit realm, isn't determined by years, like it is in the world. The world determines the age at which you must be an adult and how many years that is. In the Spirit, it is determined by how you seek after and listen to the Voice of the Father. Living in the world and walking after the Spirit, is asking God about decisions we make in our normal lives in this world and allowing those decisions to be led by our spirit. This isn't just praying, but continuously listening.
Some feel that growing up and adhering to the Holy Spirit's teachings, places them in bondage about how they should speak, pray and read the Word. Religion dictates Laws and bondage, but we're not under the Law...we live under Grace. I fail to see where learning more about the Father and learning to walk in His Truth, is bondage. It might be bondage to the teenage Christians who doesn't need or want anyone telling him what to do. To the wise, though, this is maturing in Christ.
Learning to speak according to God's Word, seems like bondage to many. Learning to hear God's Voice on our own and not always depending on our pastor, might seem like bondage to some. Trying to make everyone else responsible for what we do, is not liberty, but is truly bondage. Needing to ask whether something is right or wrong, is the result of our lack of maturity in Him. Living by the Oracles of God and not just living by the principles of religion, is being mature in Him.
It's like Paul writes in Hebrews 6:3 (Amplified), "If indeed God permits, we will (now) proceed (to advanced teachings)."
No comments:
Post a Comment