Perspectives by Rev. Janet Evans

Don't Act Like Such a Baby

Have you ever heard someone admonished by the words, “don’t act like such a baby,” or “act your age?” 

Naturally we have an expectation that babies will grow up to be mature adults. We do not consider it natural nor healthy if a person does not exhibit age appropriate behaviors as they grow toward becoming a mature person. 

But what about spiritually? Should Christians grow up spiritually? And if so, how does this process proceed, and what are the signs and passages of such spiritual growth in the life of a Christian?

In Hebrews 5:12-13, this admonition is given, “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.” 

The writer of Hebrews is addressing Christians who were not what they “ought to be.” Having experienced what is necessary for spiritual growth they have retreated to immature behaviors, likened to a baby refusing to be weaned from the breast. They have not become skilled “in the word of righteousness,” and are behaving like babes spiritually.

Perhaps there are certain questions we might ask to locate ourselves spiritually, such as:

• Have I been a Christian long enough to have made more progress spiritually?

• Do I take personal responsibility for my spiritual growth?

•  As a Christian am I behaving responsibly in my local church and community? 

• Do I continue in learning to know what the bible teaches, and do I share what I learn with others by word and deed? (2 Timothy 3:7)

• Have I retreated from the progress I once made spiritually, being content to live like a baby Christian?

• Is my life continuing to be transformed by the teachings of the bible? (Romans 12:2) 

We all know that chronological age is not always accompanied by the spiritual and mental maturity appropriate to it. But we must not surrender to such inequities. 

Just two verses following the passage cited above (in Hebrews 6:1) we are encouraged by the words, “let us go on to perfection.” Teleiotes, the Greek term translated “perfection” in the New King James Version of the Bible, may also be translated “maturity” as it is in the English Standard Version. The same Holy Spirit that identifies our shortcomings is our helper to bring us forward to spiritual maturity. 

Perhaps you would care to help yourself, or others, to become established concerning “the elementary principles of Christ” and “go on to maturity.” You are welcome to join us for a free, four hour seminar on this subject September 8th, in Morrisburg, Ontario, at the Riverside Recreation Center, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Lunch is also free.

According to Ephesians 4:11-16, spiritual maturity is the will of God for His Church and each Christian. I encourage you today to continue doing those things necessary for genuine spiritual growth. 

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,” and always continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18) 

Rev. George T. Frey, 

Faith Christian Center 

of Morrisburg, 

[…]

The Way We Live

The difference between the culture of God’s people, and the cultures of the world, must be clearly manifest. It is this clarity that allows for an informed choice, by those who would repent of their sin and turn in genuine faith to God for salvation. 

If the difference is not clear the choice cannot be clear. The free will of man is not served by the unclearness of the issue. If men, being free moral agents, will be able to make a self obligating moral choice, they must understand the issue without ambiguity. 

Therefore the Lord says, “Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts: And let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; And to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, Neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are my ways higher than your ways, And my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:7-9

The forsaking of one’s way of thinking, and way of doing things, is a major decision. But it is the decision called for in both the Old and New Testaments. It is certain that man’s way of thinking and God’s way of thinking, concerning matters of righteousness, do not agree. 

Notice that in God’s salvation appeal to the wicked and unrighteous, the forsaking of thoughts and ways, precedes the returning and receiving of mercy and abundant pardon. 

This reminds me of a time that a young man came to me asking how he could be saved. I asked him if he was ready to repent of his sin and he assured me that he was a “pretty good person.” 

But if one would attain to righteousness by his own efforts he must be perfect. Jesus admonishes us in the sermon on the mount, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) 

It seemed in the young man’s way of thinking, that in comparison with others he must surely qualify for God’s salvation. But according to Isaiah such thinking is to be forsaken, because by holding such thoughts one fails to “return unto the Lord,” continuing to trust in his own works for salvation.

But the bases for mercy and abundant pardon may not be found in the good works of men for Isaiah also says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;  (Isaiah 64:6) Therefore we must look elsewhere for any righteousness we may attain to. 

So we are thankful that Jesus Christ has come, living the perfect life before the Father, that we could not; and by sacrificing His life, that was not deserving of death, Jesus has provided eternal salvation for all who will put their trust in Him. In Jesus we find the mercy and abundant pardon of God. (Romans 6:17-23)

As Christians we must keep the issue clear, and openly demonstrate the difference Jesus Christ has made in our lives. The way we think, and what we do, must demonstrate the difference to be expected by one who returns to the Lord. We must manifest the clear and present choice that is before the free will of each person every day.

Rev. George T. Frey, 

Faith Christian Center 

Morrisburg 

[…]

Clergy, lunch and so much more…

Last Wednesday, I had lunch with a group of clergy. Clergy are an interesting bunch.

On the first Wednesday of each month the ministers and pastors of South Dundas get together. Over lunch we do some business, discuss issues of concern to all our churches, plan events and actives that we do together and enjoy each other’s company.

We share concerns over the state of the church in the world today and commiserate about congregational challenges. 

We laugh. We shake our heads. We share stories of struggle and faith, and we celebrate the power of Jesus Christ to bring hope and new life. We see it happening in our community and world even today.

For me, the great joy and inspiration that comes from our time as clergy together is a profound sense of hope and encouragement. 

I can tell you the ministers and pastors in our communities deeply care for people and passionately give themselves in the service of Jesus Christ.

And for me that gives rise to a tremendous sense of hope and encouragement. 

And as I was thinking about this, I was struck by how we all need hope and encouragement, and how we can all be hope and encouragement to others.

The Season of Lent is about half way through. Lent is a season of preparation for Easter.  Lent is a time of discipline and commitment. We know well of the Lenten tradition of giving something up. In Lent accompanying the self-denial of giving something up the ancient church encouraged people to replace what was given up with some sort of spiritual activity.

And maybe half way through this season of Lent, we can give thanks to God for the hope and encouragement that comes to us in many ways.  And maybe we can commit ourselves to be agents of hope and encouragement.

So why not give ourselves to offer an expression of encouragement to someone each day up until Easter.  A word of grace, and act of kindness, a gesture of love, a simple expression of encouragement is all it takes. 

We all know what such things have done in our lives. Imagine what such things can do in the lives of those we meet during the next month or so. 

So there’s the challenge. It is not too late to take something of Lent into our everyday lives and bring hope and encouragement to others. And in that they and we will come to experience the presence and the blessing of God in new and exciting ways. 

For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ/who died for us, so that we may live with him/Therefore encourage one another and build up each other…       

 1 Thess 5:9-11 NSRV

Rev. Geoff Howard, Knox 

Presbyterian, Iroquois

[…]