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"Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roof." Matthew 10:27 (NIV)

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The Prophetic Lens

It is Time to Grow Up

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.” (1 Corinthians 13:11)

            As I became a brand new Christian, it became evident that there were expectations from others to see me behaving differently. How many of you guys still feel that kind of pressure today? The world is very quick to throw at us the “you are supposed to be a Christian” rock. The reality is that in order for us to behave in an acceptable or even admirable way, we don’t even have to be Christians. I am sure many of us have known people or even know people today that are socially and morally noticeable; people with a very high ethical standard; people of truth and very reliable in their dealings. A behavior is an external thing; it is indeed what people are able to see. Physiologically speaking, behavior is defined as: “The way in which a person, organism, or group responds to a specific set of conditions.” As Christians we should be conscious of the way we behave in the presence of others; no doubt and no argument about that; however in our growth we must press on towards a greater level of maturity.

            A deeper level of maturity is when we are careful in what we say; this is a very admirable way of living as we try our best to measure and make sure that our delivery of words comes out just right. Many have mastered the skill of measuring their words before speaking. I surely have placed both of my feet in my mouth with some of the things I have said in my now forty two years of life. I wish that I can go back in time and take some of the things I said back. We can fake it with our talk, but sooner of later our mouth will betray us and if people get close enough, they will be able to see what is really in our hearts. Perhaps, this is the reason why many people place a wall around them; it is the fear of exposing their humanity. We as Christians must be very careful with what we say as we know that the Bible teaches us that there is power in the things we say. However, there is yet a deeper level of maturity.

            Proverbs 23:7 tells us: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he…” Many will say that we are what we eat; but Biblically speaking: “We are what we thing.” A more mature Christian does not only guard his behavior and lips. Doing so without dealing with thoughts is a waste of time as it refers to our Kingdom contribution. How many of you know that we can behave one way, but feel a different way totally contrary to our behavior? How many also know that we can say many things and not mean one word of what we say? How we behave and what we say are obviously visible and audible actions. However, our thinking reflects who we really are. The problem here is that only God and the individual knows what our deep and secret thoughts are. Beloved, it is time to be honest with ourselves and dig deeper and transform our stinking thinking into a Godly way of thinking; it is there that we demonstrate our maturity. Beloved, it is time to grow up.

2 responses

  1. Dennis Owen Avatar
    Dennis Owen

    It is time to grow up! It is time to grow in understanding and commitment. God expects us give evidence that we are moving beyond that first step of faith, ever showing signs of a new life, and growth in understanding! As St. Paul put it, “the old is past, and the new has come.” A past life-style is to be exchanged by what the Spirit of God infuses into one genuinely transformed!

    Whoever claims to be walking in the path of holiness needs to acknowledge that what Christ came to offer is not a mere change of behaviors, but a radical change of attitude and of life! No amount of spiritual lipstick can render us more presentable to Him.

    Faith begins in the past tense of our salvation, leads us through the present tense of the same, and ushers into the future tense of that marvelous reality. We have been regenerated and justified, we are being sanctified, and we shall be glorified. In other words, we have been saved from the penalty of sin, we are being saved from the power of sin, and we shall be saved from the very presence of sin! “He Who began a good work in us will complete it!” Philippians 1:6).

    This sense of God’s unmerited favor prompts an inner transformation, a new disposition toward God and our neighbors, a new self-understanding, a new outlook and hope. It arises from both the word of Scripture and the internal testimony of the Spirit of God that we are the adopted children of God and members of His family. Believers love as God loves and keep His commandments and do not sin willingly. Holiness is deposited in our soul at regeneration and fully permeates the mind, will, and affections. Thus the true meaning “conversion” or “internal regeneration” is transformation from the self-centered life to Spirit-centered life.

    Even so, this is only the beginning sanctification which itself is capable of growth into deeper love of God and humankind, is usually by some definite experience distinct from, but similar to new birth. A Spirit-centered life goes on from here, in a dynamic process of nurture, piety, activity, and of expectation that the holiness deposited in our souls at regeneration will be imparted in Christian life and its fulfillment.

    Thus our faith is more than a human movement using only natural processes; it is supernatural in origin and power. Human ability and effort cannot account for its character and accomplishment because to live in the Spirit means to let the Spirit rule our lives. God fills us, indwells us, and works through us. Faith in God’s willingness and ability to work through us to accomplish His ends is vital because it motivates us to be unafraid of failure and public embarrassment. We can move boldly and bravely forward in our lives and ministry, attempting big things for God and expecting great things from God. But we must do so in such a way that the Jesus who gave the Spirit to the church will give us a new outpouring of the Spirit so that our personal lives have power and purpose and our ministry finds righteousness and effectiveness. To make this happen we must teach people the biblical understanding of the doctrine of regeneration in the church and in personal lives, and provide a context wherein people can experience the love and power of the Holy Spirit.

    Reply
    1. angelcasiano Avatar
      angelcasiano

      Good word Dennis!

      Reply

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