CHANGE

Did you ever think what a perfect world this would be if everyone were just like you, and always did what you wanted done? That would require some major changes, right? And chances are these changes would need to start with you. Read (Luke 6:41-45) to see what Jesus had to say about this. Often we want to help the other person change, to improve our relationship, when all the while the "plank" is in our eye, and the "speck" is in theirs.

Basically we are all selfish creatures, and find it hard to put the needs or desires of another person before our own. We need to take an honest look at our own life, and see how Christlike we have become since coming into God's family. Paul tells us in (2 Cor 5:17) that when we receive Jesus as our personal Savior "This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone: a new life has begun." This new life should become more and more Christlike as we mature in our walk with Him.

This spiritual maturity doesn't come over night, it requires discipleship training very similar to training up a child to become a mature responsible adult. We don't go from Kindergarten to University without spending 12 years in primary, middle, and high school grades. And we only pass from one grade to the next if we pass our exams, right? Why should we think it is any different in the school of the Spirit? It would seem from what I have observed in some 40+ years as a believer in Jesus, that some people try to skip some grades. (Heb 5:11-14) covers this problem quite well, and tells why people are still immature, although they may have been Christians for many years. Peter also has a good word that applies to this problem in (2Peter 1:3-11). Here he gives a picture of how spiritual maturity comes about in our lives, to prepare us for our place in the "Kingdom of God".

Sincerely submitted.

Gramp