Renewing and Growing
27/04/08 11:23
There
is no doubt that there is a vast difference between
renewing and growing, yet both are essential for the
Christian who aspires to a closer walk with the
Savior. Growing in God means that a couple of things
are necessary to be incorporated into the Christians
life.
First and foremost would be a knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. This comes through not just Bible reading, but Bible study. Prayer is necessary; pain is necessary, yes, you read it right. Pain is an essential part of Christian growth. Peter encourages us in his first epistle that the trials of our faith are given so that we may grow in our hope. James reminds us that these trials enable us to know patience, so that we can become complete, mature and lacking no good thing. Paul sums this teaching up this way:
“…but we, also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Hoy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5
The writer of Hebrews commends the saints for their faith that caused them to face imprisonment and chains; those who were tortured and refused to be released. Some of these were stoned, flogged and even put to death by the sword. Many were persecuted and mistreated, yet they endured all these things so that they may gain a better resurrection (Heb.11:36-38).
If you and I would take a good honest look back into our Christian walk we would have to admit that it was during the hard times that we grew the most. We realized during the battles that God fought for us and ultimately brought about the victory. When we were sick or near death’s door, it was God who healed us. When we needed food and clothing; again, it was God who provided for our needs. We trusted Him when the chips were down and He led us in triumphal procession!
Solomon draws a parallel of this biblical truth of growth: “If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring you grief in the end.”
Sometimes I wonder what my life here on earth would be like if there was no trouble to deal with. I trust God –but I don’t trust me! I think if I lived the “silver-spooned” life I would become one spoiled brat. I would always want God to bless me with money, so I wouldn’t have any financial woes. I think I would like to be extremely healthy and immune to any sort of disease or sickness. I would want to be able to do whatever I felt to do –so I wouldn’t get bored. I would want God to bless me with all kinds of smarts and talents so that people would like me and accept me for who I am. And since we are acting this foolish, I want to know everything everybody else does –only, I want to be right all the time. Do you know what I would become if God did all these things for me? I would become a spoiled brat and a blubbering idiot that was so bored with life, that I would probably want to end it.
God knows that if He delivered us out of all our trials and blessed us all the time we would never grow up in the faith. In fact, God warned the Israelites to be careful not to forget Him after He blessed them with all the blessings of the Promise Land. Yet, that is exactly what happened. Our nature is to forget God when things are going smoothly and the things of this world are shining brilliantly. But like the wine that sparkles in the glass but bites like a viper in the end, so are the things of this world to the spiritual man. We become like Samson, holding on to the things of this world without ever realizing that the Spirit of God has been grieved and is no longer walking with us. Sooner or later, we end up in a desert or wilderness, or worst yet, a quagmire of the filth that God had delivered us out of.
I would much rather experience the struggles of faith testing trials than have to put up with a guilty conscious. But no matter what we may be experiencing, grief, suffering, loneliness, guilt or shame; these are prime feelings in which God is able to renew us.
“Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me.” (Ps.51:10) “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Ro.12:2) “He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” (Ru.4:15)
When God renews your heart and mind He creates in you a thankful heart which prepares the way for God to move in closer in your life. Thus, you become stronger for the next battle. The Christian life is a journey to Heaven with growth and renewal playing a big part in it.
First and foremost would be a knowledge of God through Jesus Christ. This comes through not just Bible reading, but Bible study. Prayer is necessary; pain is necessary, yes, you read it right. Pain is an essential part of Christian growth. Peter encourages us in his first epistle that the trials of our faith are given so that we may grow in our hope. James reminds us that these trials enable us to know patience, so that we can become complete, mature and lacking no good thing. Paul sums this teaching up this way:
“…but we, also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Hoy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:3-5
The writer of Hebrews commends the saints for their faith that caused them to face imprisonment and chains; those who were tortured and refused to be released. Some of these were stoned, flogged and even put to death by the sword. Many were persecuted and mistreated, yet they endured all these things so that they may gain a better resurrection (Heb.11:36-38).
If you and I would take a good honest look back into our Christian walk we would have to admit that it was during the hard times that we grew the most. We realized during the battles that God fought for us and ultimately brought about the victory. When we were sick or near death’s door, it was God who healed us. When we needed food and clothing; again, it was God who provided for our needs. We trusted Him when the chips were down and He led us in triumphal procession!
Solomon draws a parallel of this biblical truth of growth: “If a man pampers his servant from youth, he will bring you grief in the end.”
Sometimes I wonder what my life here on earth would be like if there was no trouble to deal with. I trust God –but I don’t trust me! I think if I lived the “silver-spooned” life I would become one spoiled brat. I would always want God to bless me with money, so I wouldn’t have any financial woes. I think I would like to be extremely healthy and immune to any sort of disease or sickness. I would want to be able to do whatever I felt to do –so I wouldn’t get bored. I would want God to bless me with all kinds of smarts and talents so that people would like me and accept me for who I am. And since we are acting this foolish, I want to know everything everybody else does –only, I want to be right all the time. Do you know what I would become if God did all these things for me? I would become a spoiled brat and a blubbering idiot that was so bored with life, that I would probably want to end it.
God knows that if He delivered us out of all our trials and blessed us all the time we would never grow up in the faith. In fact, God warned the Israelites to be careful not to forget Him after He blessed them with all the blessings of the Promise Land. Yet, that is exactly what happened. Our nature is to forget God when things are going smoothly and the things of this world are shining brilliantly. But like the wine that sparkles in the glass but bites like a viper in the end, so are the things of this world to the spiritual man. We become like Samson, holding on to the things of this world without ever realizing that the Spirit of God has been grieved and is no longer walking with us. Sooner or later, we end up in a desert or wilderness, or worst yet, a quagmire of the filth that God had delivered us out of.
I would much rather experience the struggles of faith testing trials than have to put up with a guilty conscious. But no matter what we may be experiencing, grief, suffering, loneliness, guilt or shame; these are prime feelings in which God is able to renew us.
“Create in me a clean heart, and renew a right spirit in me.” (Ps.51:10) “Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Ro.12:2) “He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” (Ru.4:15)
When God renews your heart and mind He creates in you a thankful heart which prepares the way for God to move in closer in your life. Thus, you become stronger for the next battle. The Christian life is a journey to Heaven with growth and renewal playing a big part in it.
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