Growing up in the Lord... Deena...:) In 1 John 2:12-14 it reveals that there are four maturing categories in the sanctification process of a Christian’s life. “I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who has been from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.” (1 John 2:12-14) This verse clearly shows that there are age brackets of maturity, young children, children, young men and fathers, and each of those is within the context of what you know and understand about God. This determines your age and what you are able to understand and put into application in your life. (James 1:22-25) The ones who are viewed as being mature are the ones who are at a level of spiritual understanding that is able to assimilate divinely revealed truth. When using the word assimilate, it is saying that divine revelation has entered the mind to the degree that it controls both thought and behavior, and when this happens a believer can be described as being mature. The immature believer would be the one who fails to assimilate the Word that comes from God. Being mature is something that comes from making certain adjustments in ones life; which results in better interpersonal relationships, which in turn, leads to a maximization of potential for more productive practical Christian service. This is what perfecting sanctification is all about..... When Christians are properly adjusted in their fellowship with God, and consequently with each other, they are able to minister more effectively, which, in turn, leads to their own greater growth and development. In such a condition, they can be described as being perfectly knit together. The meaning is always that of adjusting relationships to Gods will. And this can only be done by obedience to the revelation that is found in Holy Scriptures. Paul wrote Timothy, in In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, that “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (Dr. Henry Hudson. In Christ) The way that I view assimilation is that it can be likened to putting a puzzle together piece by piece. Every trial or temptation that we go through, we are challenged to search the Scriptures to find the appropriate (verse) piece that fits that particular trial. This in turn when applied.... (and it fits perfectly, like a piece of a puzzle)... leads us to victory and freedom, increases our knowledge and understanding of Gods Word, and strengthens our faith in God and the power of His Word, which in turn gives us an increased faith to go into the next temptation or trial and the ability to wield the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17) in the battle (Ephesians 6:12) that we are in. We are a soldier who is constantly being trained for war...(Psalm 144:1) Many Christians today are striving to have Christian experience without doctrine, and a person cannot have a genuine Spirit inspired experience apart from doctrine. Doctrine is simply teaching, teaching of and by the Holy Spirit. Many people are experiencing poverty in their spiritual development (their ability to assimilate and apply the Word of God) today because they limit the value of Holy Scripture, and they totally leave out the One who wrote the Holy Scriptures and was sent to Teach them. There is freedom and TRUTH found in the Word of God. It has the solutions to ALL of lifes trials. And the MOST AMAZING part is that we have been given a Teacher...who is ALWAYS with us:) The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. ( John 14:26) “When He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you.” (John 16:13-15) In building a spiritual life that glorifies God, a person must have the right spiritual foundation (Romans 10:9-13; 1 Peter 2:6) and a balanced knowledge of Holy Scripture. (2 Timothy 3:16) His will is to grow us to be like Him. Teaching us how to be diligent and to hang in there against all odds. Persevering through every circumstance with the knowledge of knowing that “He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23) and that “He will never fail you or forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). Hanging on for dear life, BY FAITH, in the darkness is what creates our most beautiful blooms. There is ultimate importance in knowing the Truth (Ephesians 6:14; 2 Peter 1:7), in our sanctification process, which is the purpose for the trials, is for us to know and apply the truth (assimilate)...in order to be conformed to His image (Philippians 3:10; Romans 8:29)...He predestined us to become conformed to the image of His Son....through the fellowship of His sufferings. The conforming to His image is what equips and enables us to minister to others.. I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.... (Galatians 2:20)God has secured our salvation and our sanctification. In the position and principle he has healed us. But we have to ‘work out’ His image in us (Philippians 2:12-13; 3:10; Romans 8:29; Romans 6:3-6).
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 09:59:29 +0000
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