This Week’s Passage: 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
One of the ways that you can tell whether you are a religious person or a person in a relationship with Christ is whether you are growing to know Him better. Religious people go through the motions of doing religious stuff. Stuff like going to church, reading the Bible, praying, tithing their money. Those in a relationship with Jesus do all that stuff too. But it is with the intention of getting to know Him better – not just to try to impress God or impress other people with how spiritual they can be.
Religious people are easily swayed by false teaching. They are tossed to and fro by teaching that is meant to tickle our ears but not provide any nourishment for our souls. As a pastor it is my job to make sure that I teach Truth; that I teach the Word of God; that I NOT teach what I think people want to hear. Here is a sampling of some things that people want to hear and that some pastor/teachers are more than willing to preach:
God wants you to be financially wealthy. This is your birthright as a child of God.
God wants you to be happy – so whatever you do that makes you happy is okay with God.
Good morals and good works are enough to get you into heaven – after all, God loves everyone.
Walking the aisle and saying the sinner’s prayer is all it takes to be saved. So get your “fire insurance” and then live any way that you want to.
Pay attention to the Word. Don’t take for granted that everything a pastor/teacher says is truth. Be like the Bereans of whom it was said, “Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11
Here are a few questions to think on from this passage:
- Are you still an infant Christian or are you steadily growing as you are DAILY nourished by soul food? v.14
- Are you being enticed to believe any of the false teachings I mentioned? v.14
- Are you religiously trying to impress God or are you growing in a relationship with God? v.15
- What are you doing to help somebody else grow up in their faith? v.16
Think on these things.
I’m just sayin’!
Next Week’s Passage: Ephesians 4:17-19