Monday, May 07, 2007
Is there a difference between growing in faith, and maturing in faith? Often, a person's growth in faith is described in human terms, such as babes (Heb 5:12-14, 1 Peter 2:1-3), and we are said to require the word as milk (same references), and need to be taught the truths of God's word (Heb reference). I'm then pulled back into reality, from which these terms are drawn from and start to think of all the children who are maturing before their age, and all the adults who lack maturity. Can it be so with faith? That a young christian will become mature earlier and faster than a old christian? In fact, it is often so much more true, the inverse link between age and maturity, with faith than it is with life.
Isn't it interesting that persecution only comes to you when you are a Christian. It's not like you go out with a sign round your neck saying "persecute me". "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." (2 Tim 3:12). Then we think that this is too hard, too painful, we see our fellow Christians fall to temptation like soldiers falling out of their lines in battle, and we think we're helpless to it all, talking seems to have lost all its meaning. "...to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions..."(1 Thess 3:2-3).
Again, it's interesting that as Christians we are told to resist temptation, endure persecution, and stand firm in Jesus Christ. All of which are defensive actions. We're not asked to rebel against temptation, or to revenge persecution, or avenge for Jesus. I got an e-mail some time back about 3 Christians who were killed in Turkey for their faith. The torture was so gruesome I cringed in my seat as I read it. The cost of evangelism. A reality flash. God save our souls.
Dan
10:41 am
