Growing Up Into Christ - The Importance of God’s Word.
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2 NIV
Christians are destined to become like Christ. How much of that privileged destiny we enjoy in this life depends on how much we cooperate with God in our own Christian walk. Ephesians 4:13 teaches us, that Christians who are properly engaged in the life of the Church will grow to the ‘mature stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ’. A large element of Christian discipleship is centred on our approach to the Word of God.
The healthy young Christian, needs to develop an enthusiasm for the Word of God. 1 Peter 2:2, says, that ‘like newborn babes, crave pure spiritual milk so that you may thrive’. Jesus compared God’s Word to bread- a daily staple. We need to install in new Christians the joy of reading and meditating on God’s Word as an essential part of growing in God.
Soon after giving my life to Christ, I joined a mid-week Bible study for teens. Wednesday night became the highlight of my week. I had my own white ‘Good News Bible’, which I cherished. I carefully marked and memorised each week’s key scriptures. For a new Christian, being encouraged to be part of a mid-week Bible study was probably the most influential factor in my Christian growth. Having God’s Word embedded I my heart would hold me in good stead for my teenage years ahead. I learnt to go to His Word for nourishment and strength. It became a joy and a strong foundation for my faith.
However, God doesn’t want us to stay babies. We are called to ‘grow up into Him’ (Eph 4:15). The natural affairs of life, and the evil one, will ensure that our faith is tested. In the parable of the sower, the first stage of ‘receiving God’s Word with joy’ must be combined with developing a deeper understanding of God’s Word and allowing God’s Word to be established in our hearts (Mark 4:13-20). Understanding comes by making connections between the scripture and the reality of our everyday life. How does God’s Word apply to me? How can I answer objections or contrary circumstances? Without a deeper understanding and the ability to refute doubts, the Word of God will be made void.
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 ESV
The mature Christian has had their faith tested over time and has found God faithful to His Word. The tests and trials of this life are the battlegrounds of our faith. Scripture says to lift up the shield of faith, which is able to quench the fiery darts of the devil (Eph 6:16). Tests and trials that are meet with faith in God’s Word, produces victorious mature Christians who have learnt to stand firm in their faith. It’s this mature Christian disciple that God can entrust to teach and disciple others.
