Choices Determine Our Maturity

Choices Determine Our Maturity (Heb 5:11-14)

Everyday we are faced with a myriad of choices that determine whether we spiritually progress or regress. We all have the power to select, decide or determine what we will do because of the gift of free will. The writer of Hebrews calls us to spiritual growth by making wise choices. Here are some of the ways we can evaluate whether we are making mature or immature choices in our personal lives, relationships or activities.

Quote: At the close of life, the question will not be,

"How much have you gotten?" but "How much have you given?"

Not "How much have you won?" but "How much have you done?"

Not "How much have you saved?" but "How much have you sacrificed?"

It will be "How much have you loved and served," not "How much were you honored?"

Nathan C. Schaeffer.

"You have been Christians a long time now and you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things a beginner must learn about the Scriptures. You are like babies who drink only milk and cannot eat solid food. And a person who is living on milk isn’t very far along in the Christian life and doesn’t know much about doing what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who have trained themselves to recognize the difference between right and wrong and then do what is right." (Heb. 5:12-14)

Quote: "Babies are vulnerable to all kinds of dangers, difficulties and distresses. Only when we mature are we able to develop strengths that help us overcome the inherent problems of infancy."

Memory Verse: Peter wrote, "Like newborn babies you should crave (thirst for, earnestly desire) the pure (unadulterated) spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto complete sanctification." (I Pet 2:2)

In order to grow in Christ, His will and His ministry fruitfulness we need a mindset to make the right choices every moment of the day. Wise choices begin with the word of God controlling our thoughts, emotions and behaviors.

If we learn to make Spirit-led choices we will need to do the following:

A. Ask the Lord to guide us with the power of the Spirit so that you can gain greater discernment into all aspects of His will for your life.

B. Ask the Lord to help train our senses, mind and emotions so you can distinguish between choosing what is good from what is best.

C. Ask the Lord to give us greater wisdom, insight and knowledge so you can determine what is the best use of scripture instead of merely something that is acceptable to the masses.

D. Ask the Lord to help us make choices that will result in greater fruit, blessings and rewards for all eternity.

The following are several guidelines to help us make wise choices that will help us grow in all aspects into Christ:

1. Choose to TEACH INSTEAD OF JUST BEING TAUGHT. Look for ways that you can teach faithful people who can teach others also. Many of us can be involved in teaching sunday school classes in our church. Others may simply begin by teaching a devotional to their family and friends. Also, in the age of the internet there are numerous opportunities to instruct others with godly materials, devotionals and helpful illustrations.

Application: Sermoncentral.com is one of the best resources to refer people to if they are want to help teach other people insights from the minds of thousands of great preachers and teachers. Try emailing some of the best messages to people you care about as a way of helping them understand the deeper principles and oracles of God. Begin by being a faithful teacher to those in the circles God has given you and He will promote you to greater levels of usefulness.

2. Choose DEPTH INSTEAD OF SUPERFICIAL UNDERSTANDING. Too many believers are content with a superficial understanding of God’s word, will and ways. People who learn to make maturing choices ascend the ladder of cognitive development.

First, they gain knowledge, then understanding so they can explain truth in their own words.

Second, they find ways that they can apply the truth to numerous dimensions of their lives.

Third, they analyze the truth in a way that they begin to understand the principle reasons behind the facts.

Fourth, they synthesize new solutions to problems that demonstrate creativite problem-solving.

Fifth, they develop evaluative criteria based upon truth that will help gauge obedience, holiness and effectiveness from the eyes of God.

3. Choose SELF-EVALUATION INSTEAD OF SELF-CRITICISM. Maturing believers learn that instead of becoming self-critical, angry or fearful they can choose to become better rather than bitter from every challenge. Too many believers are quick to judge themselves and others when things do not work out. Paul wrote, "I care very little what you say or what others say. I do not even judge myself, for judgment is from the Lord." Allow the Lord to evaluate you instead of being so hard on yourself or others. God will bring to light all of our motives, activities and contributions as He is the only one with perfect objectivity. He is the only one who possessing all the facts. God is the only one who is able to be completely impartial in evaluating everything.