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Are you well anchored or adrift in a storm?
According to this passage, it takes both faith in and knowledge of God to become mature believers.
Ever been overwhelmed? Perhaps you get caught up in a frenzy and lose sight of what’s really important (like maybe during the Christmas season). Or perhaps you’ve become overwhelmed by illness or losing a job to the point that you feel dazed or even paralyzed. The storms of life (whether self-imposed or not) can leave us feeling tossed about by the waves. Yet God is in control of all things and has plans to prosper us and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11). Just as Jesus calmed the sea for the disciples (Matthew 8:23-27), He can calm the storms in our lives if we let Him. We just have to have faith and trust in Him. He can give us an abundance of peace that will steady us, as we ride out the storms together.
Ever been confused? Maybe you’ve held some belief as truth, but when questioned you have a hard time defending that belief and are swayed by the crowd. For example, you think that a sponge is an effective tool for cleaning. Then you see the Shamwow infomercial and are convinced that you’ve been ineffectively cleaning your home for years and you must run off to purchase 4 Shamwows for only $19.99; but act now to double the offer! It can be difficult, in today’s culture that believes that truth is relative, to defend that there is one Truth, and yes, one Way to the Father (John 14:6). We are called to study and be ready to defend the Truth (2 Timothy 2:15) and to provide a reason for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15).
So how do we do grow from infants that are swayed by storms or false teachings into mature believers? Paul says that to become mature believers we need to move from milk to solid food (1 Corinthians 3:2, Heb 5:12). According to today’s Scripture, we need faith and knowledge to become mature. Spiritual disciplines (such as studying God’s Word, worship, prayer, fasting, and service) are the solid foods that build faith in and knowledge of God. With faith in Christ and knowledge of who He is, we can be empowered by His Spirit to withstand anything that comes against us: a storm, false teaching, spiritual attack, anything. Are you content with drinking lukewarm skim milk? I for one would prefer a medium-rare steak
Wow. I am relatively new in my walk and find myself confused. With the help of a great church, my small group, and friends that I trust, I am able to talk these things out and get proper direction. It is important for all of us to be able to lean on each other especially while we are still infants. I need the help of those around me as well as doing my part. I read some passages in the bible and sometimes I don’t quite “get it”. I feel that being able to bounce ideas off those around me keeps me going in the right direction. In the same way that I lean on others, those around me that are farther along in their walk can lend a great hand to people like me. I look forward to the day that I can eat a medium-rare steak but for now, I am happy enjoying soft foods and drinking in Jesus in ways that I can understand.
Candy… we are all at different places in walk. “Let us live up to what we have already attained.”
I love where God has you today. Keep after it.
Thank you Timmerly and Candy for what you both expressed…there is great power and life in the truth of whatever God is telling us wherever we are – and I’ve been blessed and challenged by both of your perspectives. Thank you.
And Timmerly…well, let me just say that God has blessed you with a great mind, wisdom (which aren’t necessarily the same), an amazing heart for Christ, and a beautiful way with words. Thanks for your service at CCC and I look forward to see how God will use you to bless those He puts in your life.