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Tuesday, July 13,
2010
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 viewed life, the way you talked, related with others, and
your priorities changed as you matured. 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, and 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 them. 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, and 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, so 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 those 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.
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