Title: Purpose-driven life (23) Growing up...
Contents
A purpose driven life (23) How to grow
Text: Ephesians 4:15 / But speaking the truth in love, you may grow up into him in all things. He is the head, the Christ.
God wants us to continue to grow in our faith as members of the church by believing in Jesus and being saved. According to the text, the goal of the growth of our faith is to continue to grow up to Christ, the head of the church. How can our faith continue to grow 'to Christ'? What will your faith look like that has grown 'even to Christ'?
By becoming one in believing and knowing
“We will all become one in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, until we reach the stature of the stature of the stature of Christ.” (13) In order for our faith to grow into Christ, we must believe and know the Son of God. should be one in It means that we can grow spiritually only when we have faith and the knowledge of faith together. It is often said that faith is not knowing, but simply believing. The birth and death of Jesus Christ, the resurrection and ascension, His Second Coming, and our eternal life in Heaven are not based on our knowledge, but only through the absolute faith that God has given us as a gift. However, the saying in verse 13 that believing and knowing must be the same means that faith in God's word and knowledge of how to dedicate and obey God's will by correctly and concretely understanding and realizing His will must be together. Only when believing and knowing are the same will our faith mature properly.
By breaking away from childish faith
“This is so that we will no longer be children, so that we may not be tossed and tossed by every wind of doctrine, falling into the tricks of men and deceitful temptations” (14). It's possible. This does not mean that we should give up the innocence of our faith like a child, but it means that we need to get rid of the 'premature state of faith'. All of our emotions and understandings, our wills and actions must all mature and become adults, not just children. Young children tend to be self-centered and like them when they understand them and only do what they think they do. If our spiritual condition is like a child, we cannot please God.
by doing the truth in love
“But speaking the truth in love, you may grow up in him in all things.” (15a) This means that faith can mature only when love and truth are together. If there is love and there is no truth, it is easy to become blind and emotionally dependent. Also, when there is truth and love is not accompanied by it, the truth can become stubborn, self-righteous, and exclusive. Therefore, the practice of truth and love, the Word of God, must always be together. When love and truth are always together, our faith can grow even in Christ.
By obedience to Christ, the head
Jesus Christ is the head of the church and we are members (15b). Therefore, our faith can continue to grow as we obey Christ, our Head. If there is a member that does not move according to the direction of the head, it is a sick member and a wrong member. Today, we must realize deeply that our spiritual maturity must be accomplished only by following the instructions of Christ, the head. The abundance of our Christian life is also made possible when we obey Christ, our Head. The growth of the church and the peace of the church are possible only when we obey Christ, the head.
through contact and unity
“From him, the whole body communicates and joins together with the help of each joint…” (16a) This means that the hands and feet must move according to the direction of the head. No matter where they are, normal activities are possible only when they are in contact and united. The growth of faith is also possible when we communicate and unite with the members of the saints.
By working according to the measure of each part
You must work according to the amount of your body. The eyes must see and the ears must hear. This means that each member should do what he/she is supposed to do with his own strength. It is true that there is a difference in the strength and quantity we receive from God, but we must do our best to work according to the size of our gifts, the strength we have been given, and our duties. You may want to do a bigger job after hoarding it, but if you don't work, you will gradually run out of energy. All members should work according to the amount they have been given, but those in charge should give glory to God with more dedication and faithfulness.
The bond that binds these six ways for our faith to grow is 'love'. “We build ourselves up in love.” (16bb) When we love with the heart of love we received from God and repay the debt of love, the above six things are possible, and as a result, we can grow into Christ .
Spiritual growth does not happen automatically; it requires intentional commitment. You want to grow, you decide to grow, you strive to grow, you struggle to grow. Discipleship, the process of becoming like Christ, always begins with making decisions and making choices. Every choice has eternal consequences, so choose wisely. Learn the principles we must choose for spiritual growth.
1. Spiritual growth has two parts: God's part and our part.
1) Our part refers to our responsibility.
(Philippians 2:12-13) Therefore, beloved, always obey, not only in my presence but even more now in my absence, working out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, and for his good will leave it and let it go
'Work out your salvation' is not the way to be saved, but the way to grow. Because we cannot add anything to what Jesus has already done for salvation. God has already given us a new life. Now our responsibility is to develop that life 'with fear and trembling'. It means taking your spiritual growth seriously. If we are to become Christlike, we must make Christlike choices. You have to act in a new direction, you have to let go of old habits, you have to develop new ones, and you have to intentionally change the way you think. Many people take Christlikeness lightly because they do not fully understand how great and great its influence is.
2) God's part means God's role.
It is God's role to 'work in you'. Spiritual growth is achieved through the cooperation of us and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works with us as well as within us. When we earnestly seek the help of the Holy Spirit when we act to become like Christ, the Holy Spirit works powerfully.
2. We need to change the autopilot (our thinking).
1) To change our lives, we must change the way we think. Our thoughts are behind everything we do. (Proverbs 4:23) Guard your heart above all else, for it is the wellspring of life.
2) To become like Christ, you must have the mind of Christ.
'Repent' in Greek means to change your mind. Repentance means that we change our thinking about God, ourselves, our sins, others, our future, and everything else. In other words, it means to change all your sinful thoughts before you are saved and to have the attitude and perspective of Jesus.
3) There are two parts to thinking like Jesus.
① Stop immature thoughts that are self-centered and self-serving.
The Bible says that selfish thoughts are the root of sinful behavior.
(Romans 8:5) Those who are after the flesh think about the things of the flesh, but those who are after the Spirit think about the things of the Spirit.
② It is to think mature.
It is thinking focused on someone other than yourself.
Conclusion: The degree of spiritual maturity is not determined by knowledge of the Bible and doctrine, but is revealed by our actions and character aligning with what we know. Christianity is not a religion or a philosophy, it is about relationships and a way of life. The key to that approach is to put others before yourself, like Jesus did. That is the most important evidence of becoming like Christ. This is a difficult and difficult life, but there is the hand of the Holy Spirit to help us. So we can think and act differently than the rest of the world.
Day 23 / About the purpose of my life
Points to think about: It's never too late to grow.
Memorable Word: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Questions that leave life:
1. What, if any, is the cause that prevents me from progressing toward spiritual growth?
2. In what areas of life should I abandon my mindset and follow God's way of thinking?
3. What are some specific things you can do now to focus on others?
“The way we think determines our feelings, and our feelings influence our actions”... Rick Warren