Run Log: 6-18-2014
Today, as I’m sitting in my house icing my back, I’m
reminded about the basics of running.
There are times one runs and times one should take a break; today is one
of those times my body is telling me to take a break. It wasn’t even a running incident that has
caused me to pay attention to my back … it was a work related injury. Even so, I must be attune to the changes
every day life can bring and hearken to the need at the moment.
Running is so much like our spiritual journey of
life. I remember when I first began
running … I would do what I wanted … regardless on the impact it would have on
my overall fitness. I now know that is
why I stayed injured most of the time (and it was running related). I was acting like a child … wanting what I
wanted instead of what was best. As I’ve
matured as a runner I’ve learned that there are certain basics by which we must
abide, and if those basics are not adhered to, one will find that they are
constantly injured.
That is so much like the Christian life; there are
many believers who believe they are ready for the challenges of taking on the
unseen realm, when in fact, they need to adhere to the basics and grow to the
point that they are strong enough to live as soldiers. Let me explain by listing the stages of
spiritual growth as mentioned in the New Testament. It is important for and individual to realize
where they are in the stages of spiritual growth so they can mature without getting
“injured.” It would be unwise for
someone who is a “child” in the faith to act as if they are a “father” … this
would be very dangerous … and it is totally unnecessary. One of the primary responsibilities of any
spiritual leader is to mature people progressively through the stages of
spiritual growth so proper maturity can be achieved. The physical stages of spiritual growth are
used in the New Testament on purpose, because Romans one teaches us that God
used the things that He has made to explain the things that are spiritual and
unseen. In that way, He has used the
stages of physical growth to show us the process of spiritual growth; they are
incredibly similar. Here are the stages:
1. A Babe in Christ: A new believer is totally unprepared for
their new life in Christ, just as a baby is totally dependent on their parents
to live.
2. A Little Child: I wouldn’t dream of leaving my little child
in a situation where they are not watched constantly. So … we must be guarding
our little children in the faith as Satan attempts to keep them from maturing
in the faith.
3. A Child: It is at this point that the little
child is becoming more responsible; however, they still have a long way to go
because they believe everything is about them and they are easily distracted.
4. A Young Man:
It is at this stage of maturity that the individual is beginning to “overcome
the wicked one” on their own. It is at
this juncture that they must be prepared for the time that they will begin a
family of their own. It is important
that believers don’t “birth” spiritual babies until they are ready to raise
those birthed babies through the maturation process.
5. A Father:
It is at this stage that the individual is bringing others into life in
Christ, and it is important that they are ready and willing to raise that new
baby to spiritual adulthood. If we
produce “sons of God” before we are a spiritual father, we are no better than third
world countries who have babies they can’t take care of. We must not pawn our babies (new sons of God)
off on others or the “church,” we must raise them to adulthood as proper
parents.
6. An Elder:
This is the stage where spiritual leaders are born. One should never hold a position of spiritual
authority of any kind until they have purposefully travelled through the stages
of spiritual growth. That is one reason
why many of our churches are not fulfilling the purpose of God. The fact is that they have not been placed in
their positions by God. An elder is
placed in the body to be an example of spiritual maturity. They have been there and done that;
therefore, they can lead others properly.
7. The Aged:
This is where a world vision is developed and expanded. Your influence begins to thrive beyond your
present locality.
My question to you is simple: Where are you as it
concerns the stages of spiritual growth?
It is important to be honest. How
can you lead others to where you’ve never been?
How can you grow to the next step of spiritual growth if you don’t know
where you are right now?
May God help us mature beyond the same ole same ole of
regurgitated Christianity beginning today!
Live OUT LOUD!
Mark Harrell – Habakkuk 2:2
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