A recent medical study reveals just how difficult change is for people. Roughly 600,000 people have heart bypasses a year in America. These people are told after their bypasses that they must change their lifestyle. The heart bypass is a temporary fix. They must change their diet. They must quit smoking and drinking. They must exercise and reduce stress.
In essence, the doctors say, "Change or die."
You would think that a near-death experience would forever grab the attention of the patients. You would think they would vote for change. You would think the argument for change is so compelling that the patients would make the appropriate lifestyle alterations. Sadly that is not the case.
Ninety percent of the heart patients do not change. They remain the same, living the status quo. Study after study indicates that two years after heart surgery, the patients have not altered their behavior. Instead of making changes for life, they choose death.y would rather die.
As Christians, we are to change. To grow. Not to stagnate.
Our growth as a follower of Christ will prepare us for a productive, fruitful life. Our growth demands that we understand and apply three simple principles
1) My Spiritual Age Does Not Indicate My Spiritual Depth
"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again." Hebrews 5:11-12a
The author was referring to the order of priests under Melchizedek and its superiority to the order of priests under. His readers had become "slow to learn " either due to spiritual laziness or neglect.
They had ample time to grow, understand truth, mature and teach. But the time had been wasted.
Instead of being teachers of the Word, they still needed teachers to explain the basics to them.
It is the same for us.
Change is that difficult. The majority of the heart patients choose not to change. Are we growing, changing?
2) My Spiritual Age Should Indicate My Spiritual Diet
"You need milk, not solid food! But solid food is for the mature." Hebrews 14a
The milk of the Word is for the immature while the solid food is for the mature
We're not meant to live on milk forever. How is your spiritual diet? Is Bible study a daily and regular part of your life? Do you share Christ with others, or only take it in.
3) My Spiritual Depth Equips Me for Life's Challenges
"Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil." Hebrews 5:13-14
One thing that is for sure in life: It's challenging. Tough times are coming. To make our way through them, we need to gather discernment and practice spiritual maturity.
The Christian life is an adventure, but it's no place for infants.
How are you doing with your diet?
The author is the publisher of the Online Christian Shopper site that sells Christian T-Shirts. And he publishes the Christian Statement Christian blog.
No comments:
Post a Comment