Spiritual Growth
Concluding Thoughts – Part One
In this series, I've emphasized elements necessary to spiritual growth:
Choosing to obey the command of God to grow - 2 Pe 3:18
Believing that we are capable of growth, with God's help - Ph 2:12-13; 4:13
Setting behavioral, functional, and congregational goals - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ro 12:3-5
Developing habits to reach our goals - 1 Pe 2:2; Ph 4:6-7; He 10:24-25; Ro 12:6-8
Maintaining positive attitudes about the value of our efforts - 1 Co 15:58
Perseverance to remain steadfast in our efforts - He 10:36-39
Inspired by role models whose pattern we should follow - Ph 3:17; 4:9
In this final lesson in the series, I wish to offer some concluding thoughts; pointing out things that can hinder spiritual growth along with suggesting some steps to take to ensure spiritual growth occurs. As mentioned throughout this series, spiritual growth is not automatic. Indeed, there are a number of things that can work against us, that become hindrances to spiritual growth, such as lack of effort. Lack of effort in failing to set proper goals and developing the daily habits that are necessary to grow is one hindrance. Those who are spiritually lazy tend to follow the course of least resistance. Such will forever remain "babes" if they do not fall away altogether - He 5:12-13 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child.”; 1 Co 3:1-2 “But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,”. -- Just as the lazy man's vineyard lies in ruins and leads to poverty (Pro 24:30-34 “I passed by the field of a sluggard, by the vineyard of a man lacking sense, and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns; the ground was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down. Then I saw and considered it; I looked and received instruction. A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and want like an armed man.”), so spiritual sloth leads to spiritual ruin!
Another hindrance is discouragement. Some people make a good beginning, but get discouraged and quit. Reasons may vary: church troubles, personal problems, lack of encouragement from others, etc. But consider the example of the apostle Paul:
Few of us would ever have the problems he had - 2 Co 11:24-29 “Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. And, apart from other things, there is the daily pressure on me of my anxiety for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to fall, and I am not indignant?”
Yet he did not "lose heart" (become discouraged) - 2 Co 4:8-9 “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;”
Why? Because he knew his labor was not in vain - 2 Co 4:16-5:1 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. For we know that if the tent, which is our earthly home, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
And so he encourages us not to grow weary in doing good - Ga 6:9 “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”; 1 Co 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” -- Discouragement happens; but we must not allow it to deter us from pressing on!
Another hindrance is lack of use. A knife stays bright when used, but unused it becomes rusty. So it is with Christians, we lose what knowledge, ability, and opportunity we have when we do not use them! To use another metaphor, unless we are earnest in our endeavor, we will simply "drift away" from the Lord - He 2:1 “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.” -- There is no concept of "retirement" when it comes to the service of the Lord!
Although there are many other hindrances we could list and look into overcoming there is one final one we need to keep in mind; interferences. Crops, trees and flowers do not grow well when crowded. So our spiritual growth will be hindered if we let things crowd out our spiritual life. Businessmen may become too busy to attend to God's business. A woman may be so occupied with housekeeping that she has little time for the house (family) of God. Young people may be so busy with school activities that prayer, worship, good works and Bible study are neglected. Preachers might get so tied down with meetings, administrative duties, etc., that they too do not take time to spend alone with God. Jesus warned about the danger of interference - Mk 4:18-19 “And others are the ones sown among thorns. They are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful.” By things like the cares of the world, the desires for other things, which can choke the word of God out of our minds, to such an extent that it cannot bear fruit in our lives. -- If we desire a healthy spiritual crop, we may need to "weed out" some things in our lives! In the next and final part of this lesson we will look at some ways we can “weed out” the hindrances of our growing strong spiritually.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Spiritual Growth - VII
Spiritual Growth
The Value Of Role Models
In previous studies, I have stressed that spiritual growth requires:
Choosing to obey the command of God to grow - 2 Pe 3:18
Believing that we are capable of growth, with God's help - Ph 2:12-13; 4:13
Behavioral and functional goals, in concert with congregational goals - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ro 12:3-5
Developing habits to reach our goals - 1 Pe 2:2; Ph 4:6-7; He 10:24-25; Ro 12:6-8
Maintaining positive attitudes about the value of our efforts - 1 Co 15:58
Perseverance to remain steadfast in our efforts - He 10:36-39
To aid us further in spiritual growth, we need to appreciate the value of role models.... We are commanded to emulate others - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”; 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Even as they sought to emulate Christ - 1 Co 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Why are we commanded to imitate others? Perhaps it is because we are natural imitators. Children imitate their parents, especially in their early years. Children seem to delight in imitating their parents. They quickly pick up their parent's mannerisms: the way they talk, walk, etc. It is as though there was some innate reason for them to imitate mom and dad.
Teenagers imitate their peers and popular idols. As children get older, they may not seek to imitate their parents, but they are still active imitators. For better or worse (usually worse), they seek to emulate those in their peer group, or those whom they hold in high regard (athletes, musicians, etc.). Despite frequent claims to want to "be themselves", you can usually tell by their behavior who they have been watching or listening to.
Christians imitate those they hold in high regard. I have observed that many brethren often reflect the attitudes, dispositions, and conduct of those preachers or elders for whom they have much respect. This can be good, but in some cases it is not.... I have known some Christians (including preachers) whose behavior greatly disturbed me, wondering how they could justify their conduct. But when I saw their peers, or those brethren whom they held in high regard acting in the same way, I began to understand. So we seem to be natural born imitators. Why should we be careful about who we seek to imitate?
Keeping this in mind, let’s consider the value of role models. Good role models can help. By example, they show us what is possible. For example, how a "son of thunder" can become the "apostle of love" - Mk 3:17 “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);”; Lk 9:54 “And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"’; 1 Jn 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Another example, is how "uneducated and untrained men" can boldly proclaim the gospel of
Christ- Ac 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” By example, they teach us how to reach the same goals, to enjoy a wonderful relationship with God - Ph 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” By example, they teach us to remain steadfast despite trials - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Bad role models can hinder. By example, they fail to show us what is possible, even perhaps preventing us from learning of our potential; certainly not encouraging us to strive for excellence. By example, we can pick up their bad habits and dispositions. As indicated earlier, we are naturally imitators. It is not long before our conduct is similar to our role models. If we truly desire to grow spiritually, we need to have good role models. Where are they?
We are blessed with many role models worthy of emulation, we have Deity as Christ encouraged us to do, in showing kindness to our enemies - Mt 5:43-48 ‘"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” As Paul instructed the Ephesians to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” What better example do we have, than that of God and Jesus Christ? Indeed, some of the very titles we wear imply such imitation: Children of God; Disciples of Jesus Christ. -- Do we seek to learn as much about God and Jesus as we do other role models?
We have biblical characters. To the degree they imitate Christ, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians - 1 Co 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The New Testament is filled with good examples for Christians today. For married couples, there is the example of Aquila and Priscilla - Ro 16:3-5 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” For those blessed with things of this life, there is the example of Philemon and Gaius - Phile 1-7 “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”; 3 Jn 5-8 “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” For women, there is the example of Dorcas - Ac 9:36,39 “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.” – “So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.” For young men there is the example of Timothy - Ph 2:19-22 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” This does not mean to preclude many fine Old Testament examples as well: Joseph, Daniel, Barzillai the Gileadite (an old man who helped David in his affliction - 2 Sam
17:27-29; 19:31-39) and many others. -- Indeed, the Scriptures are filled with many examples worthy of our emulation!
We have many fellow Christians today. As Paul encouraged his fellow Christians to imitate those who provided a similar pattern as did he - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” There are many preachers, teachers, and elders we can emulate. There are many older women that younger women can emulate - Ti 2:3-5 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” There are many younger people worthy of emulation - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Yet we should be careful, for not all who profess to be Christians behave as they should - Ph 3:18-19 “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” It is important, therefore, that we know the Scriptures well enough to know when someone is worthy of our emulation. -- Yet there are many Christians who can teach and encourage us by their own example, if we will but let them!
If you seek to grow spiritually, take advantage of role models.... Let them show you what is possible! Let them teach you how to obtain the goals you are striving for! Let them encourage you to persevere, knowing that others have traveled the same path before you! Since we are natural born imitators, let us make the choice to imitate the good - 3 Jn 11 “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” Only then do we have the hope of being "of God". The only alternative is to imitate the evil, which prevents us from ever "seeing God". We conclude this lesson with the following words of Scripture:
"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." - He 6:11-12
Are we imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the promises?
The Value Of Role Models
In previous studies, I have stressed that spiritual growth requires:
Choosing to obey the command of God to grow - 2 Pe 3:18
Believing that we are capable of growth, with God's help - Ph 2:12-13; 4:13
Behavioral and functional goals, in concert with congregational goals - 2 Pe 1:5-8; Ro 12:3-5
Developing habits to reach our goals - 1 Pe 2:2; Ph 4:6-7; He 10:24-25; Ro 12:6-8
Maintaining positive attitudes about the value of our efforts - 1 Co 15:58
Perseverance to remain steadfast in our efforts - He 10:36-39
To aid us further in spiritual growth, we need to appreciate the value of role models.... We are commanded to emulate others - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”; 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” Even as they sought to emulate Christ - 1 Co 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” Why are we commanded to imitate others? Perhaps it is because we are natural imitators. Children imitate their parents, especially in their early years. Children seem to delight in imitating their parents. They quickly pick up their parent's mannerisms: the way they talk, walk, etc. It is as though there was some innate reason for them to imitate mom and dad.
Teenagers imitate their peers and popular idols. As children get older, they may not seek to imitate their parents, but they are still active imitators. For better or worse (usually worse), they seek to emulate those in their peer group, or those whom they hold in high regard (athletes, musicians, etc.). Despite frequent claims to want to "be themselves", you can usually tell by their behavior who they have been watching or listening to.
Christians imitate those they hold in high regard. I have observed that many brethren often reflect the attitudes, dispositions, and conduct of those preachers or elders for whom they have much respect. This can be good, but in some cases it is not.... I have known some Christians (including preachers) whose behavior greatly disturbed me, wondering how they could justify their conduct. But when I saw their peers, or those brethren whom they held in high regard acting in the same way, I began to understand. So we seem to be natural born imitators. Why should we be careful about who we seek to imitate?
Keeping this in mind, let’s consider the value of role models. Good role models can help. By example, they show us what is possible. For example, how a "son of thunder" can become the "apostle of love" - Mk 3:17 “James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, Sons of Thunder);”; Lk 9:54 “And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, "Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?"’; 1 Jn 4:7-8 “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Another example, is how "uneducated and untrained men" can boldly proclaim the gospel of
Christ- Ac 4:13 “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” By example, they teach us how to reach the same goals, to enjoy a wonderful relationship with God - Ph 4:9 “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me--practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” By example, they teach us to remain steadfast despite trials - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Bad role models can hinder. By example, they fail to show us what is possible, even perhaps preventing us from learning of our potential; certainly not encouraging us to strive for excellence. By example, we can pick up their bad habits and dispositions. As indicated earlier, we are naturally imitators. It is not long before our conduct is similar to our role models. If we truly desire to grow spiritually, we need to have good role models. Where are they?
We are blessed with many role models worthy of emulation, we have Deity as Christ encouraged us to do, in showing kindness to our enemies - Mt 5:43-48 ‘"You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” As Paul instructed the Ephesians to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” What better example do we have, than that of God and Jesus Christ? Indeed, some of the very titles we wear imply such imitation: Children of God; Disciples of Jesus Christ. -- Do we seek to learn as much about God and Jesus as we do other role models?
We have biblical characters. To the degree they imitate Christ, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians - 1 Co 11:1 “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” The New Testament is filled with good examples for Christians today. For married couples, there is the example of Aquila and Priscilla - Ro 16:3-5 “Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.” For those blessed with things of this life, there is the example of Philemon and Gaius - Phile 1-7 “Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved fellow worker and Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier, and the church in your house: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and all the saints, and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. For I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you.”; 3 Jn 5-8 “Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God. For they have gone out for the sake of the name, accepting nothing from the Gentiles. Therefore we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.” For women, there is the example of Dorcas - Ac 9:36,39 “Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.” – “So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them.” For young men there is the example of Timothy - Ph 2:19-22 “I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. They all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.” This does not mean to preclude many fine Old Testament examples as well: Joseph, Daniel, Barzillai the Gileadite (an old man who helped David in his affliction - 2 Sam
17:27-29; 19:31-39) and many others. -- Indeed, the Scriptures are filled with many examples worthy of our emulation!
We have many fellow Christians today. As Paul encouraged his fellow Christians to imitate those who provided a similar pattern as did he - Ph 3:17 “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.” There are many preachers, teachers, and elders we can emulate. There are many older women that younger women can emulate - Ti 2:3-5 “Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” There are many younger people worthy of emulation - 1 Ti 4:12 “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” Yet we should be careful, for not all who profess to be Christians behave as they should - Ph 3:18-19 “For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” It is important, therefore, that we know the Scriptures well enough to know when someone is worthy of our emulation. -- Yet there are many Christians who can teach and encourage us by their own example, if we will but let them!
If you seek to grow spiritually, take advantage of role models.... Let them show you what is possible! Let them teach you how to obtain the goals you are striving for! Let them encourage you to persevere, knowing that others have traveled the same path before you! Since we are natural born imitators, let us make the choice to imitate the good - 3 Jn 11 “Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.” Only then do we have the hope of being "of God". The only alternative is to imitate the evil, which prevents us from ever "seeing God". We conclude this lesson with the following words of Scripture:
"And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." - He 6:11-12
Are we imitating those who through faith and patience inherit the promises?
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Spiritual Growth - VI-B
The Need For Perseverance – Part Two
In our last lesson we looked at the need for perseverance, which should now be clear. In this part we will attempt to answer the question, “what can we do to maintain perseverance”...?
Maintaining perseverance is a display of daily self-control. Note the close relationship between self-control and perseverance - 2 Pe 1:6 “and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,”. Self-control must be exercised one day at time. Self-control exercised daily produces perseverance over the long haul. We display self-control daily as we engage in daily habits that lead to our goals (e.g., Bible reading, prayer). We display self-control daily as we take the small steps that lead to our destination (e.g., serving in our function). Keep trying again and again after apparent failures -- Perseverance is exercising self-control one day at a time, day after day.
We can maintain our perseverance when we associate with like-minded individuals who are striving for similar goals, through similar habits. When we associate with individuals who understand the need for perseverance in their own lives. Individuals who don't get discouraged, who will encourage you likewise - He 10:36-39 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” -- This is why frequent assembling with other Christians is so important.
Keep your eye on the prize with a clear vision of your ultimate goal. This was Paul's secret to his perseverance - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”; Ph 3:12-15 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” It was also enabled Jesus to endure - He 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Keep your eye on the prize with an appreciation of the daily habits. How Bible reading produces spiritual growth - 1 Pe 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation.” How prayer leads to freedom from anxiety through the peace of God - Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” How encouraging one another protects against apostasy - He 3:12-15 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."’ -- We shall persevere as long as we remain focused on our ultimate goal and what it takes to get there!
In The Parable Of The Sower, note the difference between two soils.... Rocky soil - receives the Word with joy, but endures only temporarily - Mt 13:20-21. Good soil - keeps the Word and bears fruit with patience (hupomone) - Lk 8:15 -- The difference is found in who has perseverance! If spiritual growth is to occur a good beginning is not enough. Progress in the past is not sufficient. -- We need the virtue of perseverance, today and tomorrow!
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. - He 10:36-39
In our last lesson we looked at the need for perseverance, which should now be clear. In this part we will attempt to answer the question, “what can we do to maintain perseverance”...?
Maintaining perseverance is a display of daily self-control. Note the close relationship between self-control and perseverance - 2 Pe 1:6 “and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,”. Self-control must be exercised one day at time. Self-control exercised daily produces perseverance over the long haul. We display self-control daily as we engage in daily habits that lead to our goals (e.g., Bible reading, prayer). We display self-control daily as we take the small steps that lead to our destination (e.g., serving in our function). Keep trying again and again after apparent failures -- Perseverance is exercising self-control one day at a time, day after day.
We can maintain our perseverance when we associate with like-minded individuals who are striving for similar goals, through similar habits. When we associate with individuals who understand the need for perseverance in their own lives. Individuals who don't get discouraged, who will encourage you likewise - He 10:36-39 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised. For, "Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay; but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.” -- This is why frequent assembling with other Christians is so important.
Keep your eye on the prize with a clear vision of your ultimate goal. This was Paul's secret to his perseverance - 2 Co 4:16-18 “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”; Ph 3:12-15 “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” It was also enabled Jesus to endure - He 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.”
Keep your eye on the prize with an appreciation of the daily habits. How Bible reading produces spiritual growth - 1 Pe 2:2 “Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up to salvation.” How prayer leads to freedom from anxiety through the peace of God - Ph 4:6-7 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” How encouraging one another protects against apostasy - He 3:12-15 “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."’ -- We shall persevere as long as we remain focused on our ultimate goal and what it takes to get there!
In The Parable Of The Sower, note the difference between two soils.... Rocky soil - receives the Word with joy, but endures only temporarily - Mt 13:20-21. Good soil - keeps the Word and bears fruit with patience (hupomone) - Lk 8:15 -- The difference is found in who has perseverance! If spiritual growth is to occur a good beginning is not enough. Progress in the past is not sufficient. -- We need the virtue of perseverance, today and tomorrow!
For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him." But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul. - He 10:36-39
Sunday, May 06, 2007
Spiritual Growth - VI-A
Spiritual Growth
The Need For Perseverance – Part One
In our studies on spiritual growth, we have stressed these essential elements.... Making the choice to obey God's command to grow - 2 Pe 3:18. Believing we are capable of growth with God's help - Ph 4:13. Setting behavioral and functional goals:
1) Striving to develop Christ-like behavior - 2 Pe 1:5-8
2) Seeking to determine and develop our function in the body of Christ - Ro 12:3-5
Developing habits that help us obtain such goals:
1) Habits that change our behavior (Bible reading, prayer, etc.) - 1 Pe 2:2; Ph 4:6-7
2) Habits that utilize our functions in the body of Christ (assembling, participating)
- He 10:24-25; Ro 12:6-8
Maintaining a positive attitude about the value our efforts - 1 Co 15:58
Another crucial element in spiritual growth is perseverance, or endurance, which the Hebrew Christians needed to have - He 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Which is part of the Christ-like attitude we are to develop - 2 Pe 1:6 “and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,”; He 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” The Greek word for perseverance is hupomone, which is defined as: Steadfastness, constancy, endurance. In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings (Thayer).
As our purpose is one of spiritual growth, let's first review some reasons why we need the virtue of perseverance. Perseverance is needed because spiritual growth takes time. Time to grow is implied in He 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,” It takes time to learn; to learn the Word of God; to learn what is expected of us; and to learn what areas of service may be open to us. It takes time to develop; to develop a Christ-like character; and to develop our function(s) in the body of Christ. -- Unless we persevere in our efforts, there will not be adequate time to grow!
Spiritual growth requires repetition. Repetition is implied in the principle of sowing and reaping - 2 Co 9:6 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” It takes repetition to overcome mistakes. Mistakes are common when one is starting. We are spiritually "babes". We can expect to stumble frequently as we learn to walk. Repeated efforts help to determine whether one is suited for a particular task. Are my mistakes due simply to inexperience? Or might I be better suited to serve in a different capacity? It takes repetition to hone skills. Sharpening our knowledge and use of the sword of the Spirit - Ep 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Sharpening our abilities and functions in the body of Christ - 1 Pe 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -- Unless we are persistent, we will never progress with the help of repetition!
Spiritual growth can regress. Regression is implied in Jesus' words to the Ephesians - Re 2:4-5 “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” We can regress by simply failing to grow. Such was the case with the Hebrew Christians who were reproached for their need to be retaught - He 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,” We can regress by going back into the world. Such was the case with false teachers who were described as entangled in "the pollutions of the world" - 2 Pe 2:20-22 “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."’ -- Like physical health, spiritual health requires persistent exercise or we will regress into spiritual sickness.
The need for perseverance should be clear. What can we do to maintain perseverance...? In the next part of this lesson we will examine what we can do to maintain perseverance.
The Need For Perseverance – Part One
In our studies on spiritual growth, we have stressed these essential elements.... Making the choice to obey God's command to grow - 2 Pe 3:18. Believing we are capable of growth with God's help - Ph 4:13. Setting behavioral and functional goals:
1) Striving to develop Christ-like behavior - 2 Pe 1:5-8
2) Seeking to determine and develop our function in the body of Christ - Ro 12:3-5
Developing habits that help us obtain such goals:
1) Habits that change our behavior (Bible reading, prayer, etc.) - 1 Pe 2:2; Ph 4:6-7
2) Habits that utilize our functions in the body of Christ (assembling, participating)
- He 10:24-25; Ro 12:6-8
Maintaining a positive attitude about the value our efforts - 1 Co 15:58
Another crucial element in spiritual growth is perseverance, or endurance, which the Hebrew Christians needed to have - He 10:36 “For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.” Which is part of the Christ-like attitude we are to develop - 2 Pe 1:6 “and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness,”; He 12:1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” The Greek word for perseverance is hupomone, which is defined as: Steadfastness, constancy, endurance. In the NT the characteristic of a man who is not swerved from his deliberate purpose and his loyalty to faith and piety by even the greatest trials and sufferings (Thayer).
As our purpose is one of spiritual growth, let's first review some reasons why we need the virtue of perseverance. Perseverance is needed because spiritual growth takes time. Time to grow is implied in He 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,” It takes time to learn; to learn the Word of God; to learn what is expected of us; and to learn what areas of service may be open to us. It takes time to develop; to develop a Christ-like character; and to develop our function(s) in the body of Christ. -- Unless we persevere in our efforts, there will not be adequate time to grow!
Spiritual growth requires repetition. Repetition is implied in the principle of sowing and reaping - 2 Co 9:6 “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” It takes repetition to overcome mistakes. Mistakes are common when one is starting. We are spiritually "babes". We can expect to stumble frequently as we learn to walk. Repeated efforts help to determine whether one is suited for a particular task. Are my mistakes due simply to inexperience? Or might I be better suited to serve in a different capacity? It takes repetition to hone skills. Sharpening our knowledge and use of the sword of the Spirit - Ep 6:17 “and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Sharpening our abilities and functions in the body of Christ - 1 Pe 4:10-11 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” -- Unless we are persistent, we will never progress with the help of repetition!
Spiritual growth can regress. Regression is implied in Jesus' words to the Ephesians - Re 2:4-5 “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.” We can regress by simply failing to grow. Such was the case with the Hebrew Christians who were reproached for their need to be retaught - He 5:12 “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food,” We can regress by going back into the world. Such was the case with false teachers who were described as entangled in "the pollutions of the world" - 2 Pe 2:20-22 “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: "The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire."’ -- Like physical health, spiritual health requires persistent exercise or we will regress into spiritual sickness.
The need for perseverance should be clear. What can we do to maintain perseverance...? In the next part of this lesson we will examine what we can do to maintain perseverance.
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