By now you should be teachers, but you need someone to teach you again the first lessons of Gods message. You still need the teaching that is like milk. You are not ready for solid food. Hebrews 5:12 When students go through medical school, studying, learning, and observation consume their lives. Almost none of what they learn is initially applied. Their whole beings are focused on learning how to discern which information to use and how to discern which information to use and when, and how to recognize critical and urgent situations. If they do well, this process of tucking massive amounts of information into their brains for future use will pay dividends as they assess their patients in the years to come. Our discipleship, like medical students, should be rigorous. Imagine if one of those doctors-in-training slept in, only showed up for class occasionally, and didnt study their manuals and case studies. If somehow they graduated, it would be no surprise to find them, later, struggling to properly diagnose and discern how to help patients. The solution would not be for them to keep plugging along, poorly diagnosing their patients and jeopardizing lives; no, they would need to go back through the studying process that they should have done the first time. Paul is describing that sort of disciple. This is a disciple who ought to have carefully learned Gods Word and Gods ways, but hasnt. Perhaps you can fake medical knowledge, but you cant fake the skillful, discerning application of medical know-how carried out by a caring, practicing physician. In the same way, you can fake Bible knowledge, but you cant fake the skillful, heart-level application of Gods truth. When anxiety creeps up in your heart, you either have Gods Word and wise teaching hidden there, or you dont. When a friend comes to you for counsel, youve either studied what Gods Word says about divorce, or you havent. When your spouse collapses and face the possibility of death, youve either nurtured a bedrock confidence in God, in His goodness and sovereignty, or you havent. You cant fake a heart-level trust in God when stressful moments come. And you cant rightly counsel with Gods Word if you dont know it. The solution isnt to keep plugging along; the solution is to go back and nourish yourself with the Word of God. The more you study and let it wash over you, the more youll be changed to be like Jesus. Father, show me where I am in the school of discipleship. Mature me and help me to diligently study Your Word. Amen
Posted on: Mon, 29 Dec 2014 14:13:34 +0000
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