Friday 9 March, 2018

6 Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2 instruction about cleansing rites, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3 And God permitting, we will do so. 4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age 6 and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. 7 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

Jesus is constantly wanting us to mature.  His desire is that we would leave behind childish behaviours and become mature so that we can reproduce disciples. This passage challenges me on where in my life am I not mature?

Where do I revert back to my ‘old’ fears, my ‘old’ mindsets, my ‘old’ lack of understanding, my ‘old’ responses and my ‘old’ lack of faith.

What does maturity look like?

For me – it is the capacity to keep walking no matter what comes across my path – with the character of Christ and the resolute HOPE, FAITH AND LOVE in the WHO God is – in His character, His love and His commitment to me.

We are told that THREE things will remain – FAITH, HOPE AND LOVE.

If your struggle is FAITH – then I encourage you to TAKE A STEP OUT IN FAITH this year.

If your struggle is HOPE – get to know WHO God is – WHO Jesus is – that you can trust Him implicitly.

If your struggle is LOVE – reach out to someone in the love of God and make a commitment to walk with them this year.

Jesus, we so need your Holy Spirit to become all we are made to be.  Help us Lord in the moments of struggle, in the moments of battle to find you in the midst.  Help us to see you afresh and commit our ways to be who you have called us to be.  Help us to love you and others more, to trust and place our hope in you afresh and to step out in faith knowing that you are good.

Written by Ps. Sue Botta