24
Aug '19
Is Knowing, Growing?
24
Aug '19
Ouch. There’s much to be said for those 3 small words. I’ve been a Christian since I was 15 years old, and raised in a little Baptist Church my entire childhood, but l’ll admit in my life, there’s been times that I did not grow toward God, even though I knew Him. I could even be as bold to say that I grew away from God during certain times in my life, while still knowing Him. So the answer to the question is: no.
“Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” – 2 John 1:9
I think many times when I was younger, I felt that because I knew God and because I was a Christian, that was good enough. Because I knew I was a believer, I felt I was “fine” and I was “ok with God”, despite what I did. Well, that’s false. When we’re not growing as a believer, there’s a huge disconnect there. Even if He’s tugging or pulling our hearts toward Him, we sometimes choose to go the opposite way. I’ve been there… I know it happens first hand because it happened to me for a time in my life. I knew who God was, I knew He wanted me to be growing toward Him, but I just. didn’t. care. I didn’t care! Looking at those 3 words now, I’m actually a bit mortified that I felt that way, but I did. I chose to do what I wanted, knowing (and hoping) that God would be there if I needed Him. Is that any way to treat anyone? Especially God?? But – this is the proof of our God’s good grace.
I know how easy it can be to become lax and just throw our hands up and feel like it’s “too much”. “Life is just too much.”, “I’m so busy.”, “There’s too much to do.”, “There’s too much on the schedule.”, “Who has time for prayer anyway?”, “Who has time for church?”, “I’ll go next week.”, “I need to relax.”, “I need to sleep in.”, “I’m tired and I don’t want to get up.”, “Hey, didn’t God rest on the 7th day?”. Oh yeah, there’s excuses a mile long that we can tell ourselves, and we do. They are SO easy to throw out there, and the enemy just loves it when we do this, and he just eggs us on.
God desires for us to have a real relationship with Him, to talk to Him, to want to be closer to Him and be more like Him. When we’re a lukewarm believer, can you imagine the hurt that He feels when He’s trying to get our attention as we continually keep Him at arm’s length, or push Him away? He loves us SO much.. even more than a parent could love their child. So, can you imagine your son or daughter pushing you away and not wanting anything to do with you? For those of you that may be dealing with that now, you know the hurt and the pain that is involved. God feels that even more so when we push Him away and decide to choose things that are not in line with His Word. I think often how in the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:23) it states that although some things may be “permissible”, are they really “beneficial”? This is where we have to make a choice and decide what is beneficial for our lives, and what is not. (Yes, I’m talking to myself here). Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and having an intimate relationship with Him is by far the most “beneficial” choice we can make in this life.
“You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you.” – Exodus 34:14
If you’re struggling with things and are fighting the battle of knowing vs. growing, I beg you to take a closer look at what Christ did for you on the cross. HE DIED FOR YOU. For YOU! Let that sink in. Doesn’t that say it all? Can you imagine loving someone that much? He loves you that much, and He desires an intimate relationship with you. He wants you to talk to Him, consult Him with day to day things, thank Him for things in your life, seek Him when you have doubts, and trust Him when the storms of life hit and you aren’t sure how you’re even going to get through today – let alone the week, month and year ahead.
“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” – Romans 5:18
“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the Head of His body, the church.” – Ephesians 4:15
Allow God to be your portion.
“Anyone who wanders away from this teaching has no relationship with God. But anyone who remains in the teaching of Christ has a relationship with both the Father and the Son.” – 2 John 1:9
I think many times when I was younger, I felt that because I knew God and because I was a Christian, that was good enough. Because I knew I was a believer, I felt I was “fine” and I was “ok with God”, despite what I did. Well, that’s false. When we’re not growing as a believer, there’s a huge disconnect there. Even if He’s tugging or pulling our hearts toward Him, we sometimes choose to go the opposite way. I’ve been there… I know it happens first hand because it happened to me for a time in my life. I knew who God was, I knew He wanted me to be growing toward Him, but I just. didn’t. care. I didn’t care! Looking at those 3 words now, I’m actually a bit mortified that I felt that way, but I did. I chose to do what I wanted, knowing (and hoping) that God would be there if I needed Him. Is that any way to treat anyone? Especially God?? But – this is the proof of our God’s good grace.
I know how easy it can be to become lax and just throw our hands up and feel like it’s “too much”. “Life is just too much.”, “I’m so busy.”, “There’s too much to do.”, “There’s too much on the schedule.”, “Who has time for prayer anyway?”, “Who has time for church?”, “I’ll go next week.”, “I need to relax.”, “I need to sleep in.”, “I’m tired and I don’t want to get up.”, “Hey, didn’t God rest on the 7th day?”. Oh yeah, there’s excuses a mile long that we can tell ourselves, and we do. They are SO easy to throw out there, and the enemy just loves it when we do this, and he just eggs us on.
God desires for us to have a real relationship with Him, to talk to Him, to want to be closer to Him and be more like Him. When we’re a lukewarm believer, can you imagine the hurt that He feels when He’s trying to get our attention as we continually keep Him at arm’s length, or push Him away? He loves us SO much.. even more than a parent could love their child. So, can you imagine your son or daughter pushing you away and not wanting anything to do with you? For those of you that may be dealing with that now, you know the hurt and the pain that is involved. God feels that even more so when we push Him away and decide to choose things that are not in line with His Word. I think often how in the Bible (1 Corinthians 10:23) it states that although some things may be “permissible”, are they really “beneficial”? This is where we have to make a choice and decide what is beneficial for our lives, and what is not. (Yes, I’m talking to myself here). Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior and having an intimate relationship with Him is by far the most “beneficial” choice we can make in this life.
“You must worship no other gods, for the Lord, whose very name is Jealous, is a God who is jealous about His relationship with you.” – Exodus 34:14
If you’re struggling with things and are fighting the battle of knowing vs. growing, I beg you to take a closer look at what Christ did for you on the cross. HE DIED FOR YOU. For YOU! Let that sink in. Doesn’t that say it all? Can you imagine loving someone that much? He loves you that much, and He desires an intimate relationship with you. He wants you to talk to Him, consult Him with day to day things, thank Him for things in your life, seek Him when you have doubts, and trust Him when the storms of life hit and you aren’t sure how you’re even going to get through today – let alone the week, month and year ahead.
“Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” – Romans 5:18
“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the Head of His body, the church.” – Ephesians 4:15
Allow God to be your portion.
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~Dena
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About Dena:
“First and foremost, I’m a Daughter of the King and a long-time Christ follower. I’m also a dog mom who enjoys reading Christian books, cardio drumming, traveling often, and I’m a bit of a techie geek. My life has seen its fair share of curve-balls and I’ve found that I’ve become closer to Christ in each trial as He’s comforted me and shown me that I can solely put my faith and trust in Him. 2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT says “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” I feel thankful and blessed for the messes in my life – as they have brought me closer to Him.”
#NoMessNoMessage
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