It takes a long time to grow up…

Becoming mature as a Christian does not happen instantly. Salvation, forgiveness, justification adoption into His family and many aspects of the Christian experience happens in a blink of an eye but the goal to be transformed into the image or reflection of Jesus Christ does not happen overnight. Like a mighty sculpture, there is much to be chipped away that is not like Jesus.

Today’s devotional likens it to the growth of a baby or the maturing of an apple. Both are what they should be from beginning to end, yet the baby cannot do what a grown person can do. Nor can the beginning of an apple mean it is fit to put in a pie.

Babies and apples, like Christians, cannot make themselves grow. We do have a part to play — that is, I need to be willing and cooperate with the Holy Spirit who feeds and nurtures me through the Word of God and fellowship with other Christians. Growth is enhanced through obedience as well, just as a child who runs and plays becomes stronger. If the assignments from God increase in difficulty, this is like graduating to the gym, working harder and increasing in wisdom as well as in understanding the perfection of God’s will.

Yet I know that age and experience must not underestimate the power of the world, the flesh, and the enemy to tip me over in my desire and effort to be mature.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)

The goal is reached only as Jesus appears to me and I see Him as He is. Until then, I cannot see Him clearly, even at my age and with years of experience living as His child:

When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. (1 Corinthians 13:11–12)

When that day comes, all that is not like Jesus will be gone, but more and more I realize how much of me is not like Jesus. As the Spirit works, the Bible tells me that my understanding of what that means have often been off base. I once thought that maturity meant things like always knowing the answers to perplexities, always praising God publicly, praying with great fervor, being a leader of others, etc. but the Lord keeps reminding me of this passage:

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1–2)

Doing good works is not as lofty as I once thought. It is simple, like being “submissive to rulers and authorities” (Titus 3:1) or raising children, or showing hospitality, or washing the feet of God’s people, or caring for the afflicted (1 Timothy 5:9–10).

The focus is not what I do, but the purity of heart in which it is done. That means none of it is for personal glory, or to pat myself on the back, or to draw attention to me, or feed my ego in any way. Jesus did not come to earth for any of that. He came to save the lost, even to die so we could live. No self-gratification but only to obey the Father and He endured “for the joy set before Him” when He would be seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

His works were perfect in every stage of the occurrence, but not complete until He declared as He died, “It is finished.” Even on my death bed, I will never be able to make the same claim unless I am perfectly mature. By an act of faith, I can put myself into the hands of the Lord, and then, by a continuous exercise of faith, keep myself there, even be made “fit for every good work” yet that total purity of Christlikeness will not be mine until I see Him face to face.

PRAY: Lord, this is why I long to see You. I know that it is in seeing You I will be perfected, and all that me-stuff will no longer be my worst enemy. Such a wonderful hope. Thank You.

 

We act out what we believe!

Titus is a short letter from Paul to another young pastor, yet it is a favorite of mine, mostly because of Paul’s instructions of what Titus should teach to ‘older women’ — me. While many women would categorize those instructions as cultural and not for today, I’m not so sure. My reason is that the theme for the whole book is ‘sound doctrine’ which means ‘correct or healthy’ teaching. If some parts are not for everyone, how can that distinction be made? Does ‘sound doctrine’ allow me to pick and choose what is correct for me?

Anyway, as Paul writes about the qualifications for church leaders and for Titus, he has this to say about ‘sound’ teaching . . .

He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:9)

But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine . . . Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. (Titus 2:1, 7-8)

I’m strong in the idea that we behave according to what we believe. If I believe my house is on fire, I will get out of it. If I believe my child is deathly ill, I will prayerfully seek medical help. If I believe the salesman at the door is telling me lies, I will not listen to him.

This principle is biblical vital. Proper understanding of ‘sound doctrine’ should eventuate in a changed life, and in the production of good deeds. Paul wrote several verses in Titus that support this. In speaking about defiled and impure people, he says, “They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.” (Titus 1:16) Knowing God changes lives!

He says to Titus to remember this principle for himself and teach it to others:

Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity. (Titus 2:7)

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. (Titus 2:11–15)

Titus is strongly urged to tell Christians to live according to biblical teachings, proving their faith . . .

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, (Titus 3:1)

The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. (Titus 3:8)

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful. (Titus 3:14)

Lest anyone get the wrong idea about the relationship between faith and good works, Paul reiterates the biblical teaching that contradicts the very human idea that doing good will earn us salvation. He repeats that good works are not the basis of salvation, but the evidence of it . . .

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:4–5)

He adds that this is a trustworthy statement and wants Titus to “insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.” (Titus 3:8)

^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, this is another reason I like this letter to a pastor; it is so practical. When I discovered Titus 2:1-5, I could see the value, first that my own life followed what older women are supposed to teach. As I put these principles into practice, You immensely bless my life.  Second, this obedience is promised to produce another amazing result — that the Word of God is not reviled. I cannot make that happen all by myself, but this gives me even more incentive to do what You say and make my faith practical!

Today’s thankful list . . .

Truth works!

God’s Word makes sense.

Watching football with my hubby.

Grilled steak and garlic toast.