2 Timothy 3:15-17 NLT
[15] You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. [16] All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. [17] God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.
Good Morning!
Not everyone who calls themselves a Christian was raised in a Christian home with the Holy Scriptures taught to them. Those that were, are blessed with more years of wisdom, instruction and correction from God’s word. Those that were not are not discounted by any means. God has given us many examples in the scriptures to lift up the new believers in Christ, guiding them and helping them to mature in their Christian walk. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that he had to talk to the Corinthian church as infants in Christ, feeding them milk and not solid food because they were still living like the people of the world.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 NLT
[1] Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ. [2] I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready, [3] for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?
Growing Up In Christ and The Gifts of The Spirit
All of us need to grow up spiritually in our Christian walk and faith. As a baby Christian, there is a season when we are “fed milk” as we grow and mature, for that is all we can handle at that time. But God expects us to eventually grow up and eat solid food. This becomes a lifelong journey of continually studying His word — just as we eat food daily, we must nourish our souls daily. And as we develop spiritually, God calls us all to be men and women that are doers of His word, not just hearers.
James 1:22 NKJV
[22] But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
This happens by passionately, purposefully and intentionally making time every day to read God’s word and letting God’s Spirit feed our souls. His Word is deep and wide and full of life. It is the only thing that quenches the inward desire of our hearts, satisfying the need to know our purpose in this world. God has a purpose and a plan for all of us and has given all of us a spiritual gift that should be used to build His church.
Romans 12:6a NKJV
[6] Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them…
Romans 11:29 NKJV
[29] For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.
As you study His word, and pray and seek His will daily, He will reveal to you His spiritual gift that is unique to you. Each of us have a gift, one not being better than another. But God uses all of us as one body with Jesus as the head of the church. I encourage you to study Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 to learn more about gifts and what your spiritual gift is and in prayer, ask our Heavenly Father to reveal to you His spiritual gift for your life.
Additionally, Pastor Rodney Finch of Calvary Chapel in Cary, NC has provided a great series about the topic of Gifts of The Spirit here: https://subsplash.com/cccary/media/mi/+a0e7dc7
James 4:2b-3 NKJV
[2b] Yet you do not have because you do not ask. [3] You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.
A Pattern of Good
God has called us to live and work in our gifts so that the world may see a pattern of good and be drawn to the salt and light in us. His plan, purpose, wisdom and knowledge are beyond measure and our frail human minds are not able conceive what His plans are. We do not understand why things happen, but God calls us to live by faith. We can trust in the prophetic Word of God that one day all things will become new and everything will be right. Until that day, we all tarry on, carrying our cross and living the best life we can for Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
Titus 2:7-8 NKJV
[7] in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility, [8] sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV
[4] “Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
Romans 11:33-36 TLB
[33] Oh, what a wonderful God we have! How great are His wisdom and knowledge and riches! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His methods! [34] For who among us can know the mind of the Lord? Who knows enough to be his counselor and guide? [35] And who could ever offer to the Lord enough to induce Him to act? [36] For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by His power, and everything is for His glory. To Him be glory evermore.
2 Peter 1:20-21 NKJV
[20] knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, [21] for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 21:4-6 NKJV
[4] And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” [5] Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” [6] And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.
Growing up in Christ is something that everyone must do. It is not healthy for our spiritual being to live as infants being fed milk and spoon fed baby food. We must take that next step and grow up spiritually and move in the gifts that God has given us. It is our destiny and assignment for us to live and move and have our being in Him.
I love you and am praying for you today!
Dad