Inspired by a journal entry written January 14, 2017.
When I was a baby/toddler, I now realize that I didn’t really know my parents at all. I had no idea about their likes and dislikes. No idea what struggles they have. No idea how they grew up. As a baby/toddler I probably only knew that they love me and I love them. At this young age I know that there was not much I could do for them, but they did everything for me.
When I first started seeking God one of the first characteristics I learned about Him, was His love. Although I knew Jesus died for my sins, I still had not grasped the depth of His love and I had no idea about how He personally talks to you, if you believe in faith that He will. I had no idea about the seriousness of obedience or sanctification.
In saying that I had no idea about these principles, I’m not saying that these principles don’t matter. They matter very much. These fundamentals are the core of the Christian faith. What I am saying, is that even as a baby Christian, who doesn’t know anything, God still loves you very much; but He expects His children to grow in wisdom and knowledge of Him. Part of the wisdom and knowledge we gain is not just by reading the Word, but by doing the His Word.
And as you grow in Christ you begin to realize the importance of these principles, which leads to new desires to seek Him through the Word. You begin to live every part of your life for Him. In a humbled and surrendered Christian, it sparks the passion to learn about God’s character, and as a result you learn what ‘The Way’ is truly about.
It slowly leads to changed opinions and perspectives, changed passions of life, changed interests, changed attitudes, changed behaviors and maybe something as small as a change in the tone of your voice and changed facial expressions. He makes you into a new creation as you learn and are obedient to Him.
We are transformed throughout our whole lives, inwardly and outwardly in many physical ways.
I think about my childhood and how much I use to love playing with dolls. But as I grew older I grew out of those toys. I matured and began to enjoy the activities of a teenager, and years after, what an adult enjoyed doing.
I think it’s a similar concept that happens with my growth in Christ. As I grow more mature in the Lord, I grow out of the interests of the World. It’s not because I’m being legalistic about anything, I just have less and less desire to be of this world. And more of a desire to live a pure and holy life in order to be more Christ-Like, and to please my Heavenly Father.
What He works within he also works outward (Philippians 2:13). For me personally, out of my continuously-being-humbled-heart came a new respectable wardrobe, less makeup, less entertainment, less time in the gym, no time in the bar. Less time thinking about my career and making money, but rather more effort in trusting God to provide. More time being a good steward of his blessings, more time in the Word, more time listening to sermons and more time pondering on God.
It’s amazing the growth He can do in a person who starts with just a mustard seed of faith. A growth which is so immense, that the new creation God has made you, may become almost unrecognized to people who have known you all your life.
Similar to when you look back at a baby picture, you might pause and look a little closer at it and say, “oh yes that’s me”. I see the resemblance. It usually takes a moment to see it. The resemblance is there, but my have you changed. Remarkably so much, even you might not recognize yourself at the first glance. Our physical growth, from baby to adulthood is a like a picture of what our spiritual growth in Christ should look like. Our growth and transformation into more Christ-likeness and more fruits of the spirit, is a symbol of a healthy spiritual life.
I think its a healthy practice to stop and ponder on who you were a year ago, two years ago; and ask yourself, what has changed in me over time? Have I become a less anxious person or more anxious? More fearful or less fearful? Mostly just the same? Am I walking with more freedom from Christ or have I become legalistic in some way? Have I grown in discernment? Am I walking more in the light?
This type of inward examination of ourselves is good, and it helps us to know how we need to pray, repent, and ask God for His divine help. It’s an inward look at ourselves ultimately for the glory of God.
Scriptures
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 TLB
It’s like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things. [12] In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face-to-face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now.
John 17:16-17 NLT
They do not belong to this world any more than I do. [17] Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.
Hebrews 6:1-2
So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again. Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding. Surely we don’t need to start again with the fundamental importance of repenting from evil deeds and placing our faith in God. You don’t need further instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And so, God willing, we will move forward to further understanding.
Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.
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