10/13/21 MATURITY COMES THROUGH: CHALLENGE, COMMITMENT, CHANGE, GROWTH

10/13/21 MATURITY COMES THROUGH:
CHALLENGE, COMMITMENT, CHANGE, GROWTH

When a loving, Christian parent or a loving, Bible pastor bears down heavily on the evils that threaten the children or the church, it is not an attack on the family or the fellow believers. IT IS WAR. It is not war with the loved ones, but a is spiritual warfare being waged against the enemy of our souls, our morals, our knowledge and understanding and wisdom, against the enemy of our walk with God and against our eternal relationship with God.

When a General or a coach or leader of any group gives a stirring speech before a major encounter, contest or performance, it is not intended to discourage or demean the troops, the team, the group, but rather to stir them up for their big challenge or big opportunity.

The Bible tells us to speak the truth in love. Love cannot overlook the dangers that loved ones face, therefore we must warn them. Unhappily this is something that people misunderstand and then take personal exception to the truth.

Here is a passage directed toward the pastor/teacher

(11) for the perfecting of the saints (12), the work of the ministry (12), for the building up of the body (12), for the maturing of individual believers and for the entire local body (13), In order to deliver believers from childishness that is easily maneuvered by deceptive people stalkers (14).

God directs pastors to speak the truth in love (15). This is a big order. Truth can be offensive, despised and rejected; truth can lead to division and hatred. Nevertheless, truth must be communicated because of love, in love. The objective is to lead believers into maturity. As most folks know, moving from childhood to maturity requires submission, trust, change (15).

The wisdom, plan, power of God are all present in the work of confrontation, reproving, correcting, training in righteousness, perfecting of the saints. But it an act of love (16).

Ephesians 4:11-16
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.