|
Home
Archive
October
November
December
Comments
and/or Questions
|
Tuesday, November
6, 2007
A Mirror Image
1 Corinthians
13:10-12 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part
shall be done away. (11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I
understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put
away childish things. (12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then
face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am
known. (KJV)
When you think
back to your childhood, much of how you view life, the way you talk, relate
with others, and your priorities change as one matures. When I was younger,
not only physically, but spiritually young in the Lord, instead of being
quicker to hear, and slower to speak, I to would usually speak first, then
come to an understanding of what I just said, finally thinking, wow I
shouldn’t have said that.
When one matures
in the Lord, and is able to come to a clearer understanding of how to walk
and talk in the spirit, then the order is changed; you think about what you
are going to say, understanding it is words of life, before speaking them
forth. Perfect refers to maturity, and the more one grows in the Lord, the
more they can relate to Him, as well as He with us. After all, how much of
a conversation can an adult have with a child? It is limited to where their
understanding is. And if you have ever worked for a construction company,
how well could a four year old read a blueprint, let alone work a job? So
like a child, when one is young in the Lord, their vision, their
understanding is limited, or in part, but as one grows, then they are able
to look in the mirror and see a mature Christian looking back at them;
having a clearer vision into the realm of the spirit, as well as resembling
more and more their Father.
Ephesians 4:11-15
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; (12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (13) Till we
all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God,
unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of
Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and
carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and
cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking
the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
even Christ: (KJV)
Many, tell
children of santa clauses, easter bunnies, tooth fairies, which makes them
wide eyed and excited, but does nothing for their spiritual growth. Many of
what man calls preachers and teachers of the word of God do the same thing,
which unless one is mature enough in the Lord, grounded and settled in the
truth, will end up falling for the same gimmicks. In order to speak the
truth in love, one needs to be honest with themselves first, so that they
can stand clean before the Lord, before He will entrust them with His work.
Though many wonder ’why Lord, don’t you use me more?’ they need to ask
themselves if they would entrust their riches with an immature liar and a
thief. I use the term immature liar
because many hold man to be true instead of God. I use the term thief,
because many rob God the opportunity to work through them, because they
hang on to their old childish ways, and thus limit Him.
1 Corinthians
11:28-31 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread,
and drink of that cup. (29) For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily,
eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. (30)
For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. (31) For
if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (KJV)
It takes someone
mature in the Lord that is willing to examine themselves, that when they
look in their spiritual mirror, they see Christ looking back at them.
Here’s a thought, could you imagine your walk with the Lord, and where you
would be if you were as willing to scrutinize yourself as you do others?
What if you could see your own shortcomings and faults as good as you see
it in others? Or maybe you do and that’s what irks you, things that reflect
your own life. You wonder why Christians become weak, sickly, and are
asleep at the wheel heading for a ditch.
It’s because they don’t come clean with God, but rather live in a
state of denial, which if we deny Him access to our life, He will deny us
access to His eternal life as well.
James 1:22-25 But
be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. (23)
For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass: (24) For he beholdeth himself, and
goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. (25) But
whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he
being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be
blessed in his deed. (KJV)
Being Christ like
is a way of life, not some part time occupation to appease others. Many
have the talk, but not the walk. Is your walk with the Lord in line with
the talk, or has one gotten ahead of the other? I have found those that I
consider mature in the Lord, are those who let their walk do the talking
for them, so that when they do share their insights, it has substance. Are
you a continual doer, or a casual hearer, like a child hearing only those
things that appeal to the flesh, and not the things that will set one free,
and keep them free? Grow up, so that your life will be a mirror reflection
of our heavenly Father in a dark and obscure world.
|
