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.
4. Choose EVALUATIONS FROM GOD’S WORD INSTEAD OF FEELINGS. Too many people feel they are inadequate, weak or unable to perform up to expectations. Paul wrote, "We walk by faith and not by sight." Mature believers learn to discipline mentally, emotionally and morally for godliness. Ask the Lord to help you be led more by the Spirit than by the flesh as it sets itself against the Spirit so that we cannot do the things that might seem natural. Trust God to help you to trust in the Lord and do good knowing that He will bring things to pass, even if it doesn’t feel right at the time.
Illustration: A marvelous song by Isaac Watts teaches us to endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Tim. 2:3)
"Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb. And shall I fear to own His cause or blush to speak His name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease. While others fought to win the prize and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood? Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign, increase my courage Lord. I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain, supported by Your word!"
5. Choose a PRO-ACTIVE FAITH INSTEAD OF DOUBTFUL INDIFFERENCE. Too many people reamin apathetic toward God, Christ’s kingdom and the great commission. Consequently, they fritter away much of their time, resources and talents on things that will not contribute to God’s greater glory, purposes or processes. Maturing believers are initiating good works in ways that allow our light to shine before men so that they can see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven. (Matt 5:16) Do not wait for someone to present you with an opportunity to serve, take the initiative and volunteer to bring blessings to others.
6. Choose CONFIDENCE INSTEAD OF FEAR. Maturing believers exhibit Paul’s confidence that they can do everything God’s asks them to do with the help of Christ who gives them the strength and power. (Phil. 4:13)
Illustration: When I first became a Christian a friend with the Navigators taught me two great songs that gave me great confidence. Whenever you are feeling doubtful, hesistant or lacking confidence try singing these songs to bolster your assurance that you can do everything through Christ who strengthens you.
"In the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus. We have the victory. In the name of Jesus. In the name of Jesus, satan will have to flee."
"Faith is the victory, faith is the victory. Oh, glorious victory that overcomes the world."
7. Choose CAREFUL STUDY INSTEAD OF HALF-HEARTED EFFORTS. Too many believers are not studying the scripture wholeheartedly. It was said of the Bereans, "Now these were better disposed and more noble than those in Thessalonica for they were entirely ready and accepted and welcomed the message (concerning the attainment through Christ of eternal salvation in the kingdom of God) with inclincation of mind and eagerness, searching and examining the Scripture daily to see if these things were so." (Acts 17:11- Amplified)
Let us ask the Lord to give us greater diligence to obey God by diligently studying, meditating and exploring the deep mine shafts of scriptural truth.
Paul wrote, "Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, (tested by trial) a workman, who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing (rightly handling and skillfully teaching) the Word of Truth." (2 Tim. 2:15 - Amplified)
8. Choose UNITY INSTEAD OF DISUNITY. Too many believers act as independent agents instead of working in cooperation with other members of the body of Christ. Get involved with groups of believers who you can minister to, love and pray with. Without healthy relationships with other believers we all tend to drift in to unhealthy perspectives of self-reliance. God has composed us so that we need one another’s love, insights and corrections. No believer should think they can succeed unless they are cooperatively working in harmony with other like-minded believers.
Paul wrote, "The servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome (fighting and contending). Instead he must be kindly to everyone and mild-tempered (preserving the bond of peace) he must be a skilled and suitable teacher, patient and forbearing and willing to suffer wrong." (2 Tim. 2:24)
Ask the Lord to give you like-minded believers you can jointly puruse righteousness, godliness, faith, love and peace with and He will give them to you. (2 Tim. 2:22 says, "Pursue righteousness (all that is virtuous and good, right living, conformity to the will of God in thought, word and deed (an aim at and pursue faith, love, and peace (harmony and concord with others) in fellowship with all Christians who call upon the Lord out of a pure heart."
Error to Avoid Illustration:
Tonto and the Lone Ranger were riding through a canyon together when all of a sudden both sides were filled with Native American warriors on horses, dressed for battle. The Lone Ranger turned to Tonto and asked, "What are we going to do?" Tonto replied, "What you mean ’we,’ Whiteman?"
Edward Dobson, In Search of Unity, p. 20-27.
Quote: There are two ways of being united -- one is by being frozen together, and the other is by being melted together. What Christians need is to be united in brotherly love, and then they may expect to have power.
Moody’s Anecdotes, p. 53.
