| April 11, 1999 |
Vol. I, No. 50
|
"We so often view a man's character as if he has always been good when, in fact, his becoming good was a struggle. I am not sure where I picked this up but it bears examination: 'In writing the life of any eminent man, we should not be likely to begin with a period when his character was fully developed and his world-historical importance recognized.
On the contrary, we should study the growth of his being--seek for the bud which concealed the seed, and the powers which conspired to unfold it." It is said of Jesus "...yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered..." We do not always understand the allotments of Divine Providence, but if we believe what the Bible says, we understand that they are often for our learning and our growth." (Dee Bowman)
Personal growth is not easy. It is something for which we must work. Bowman was right, it is indeed a struggle. It takes great effort to become what we can and need to be.
Consider these steps to help you in your personal growth. I believe they will help you.
(1) Choose a Life of Growth. George Eliot said, "The strongest principle of growth lies in human choice." I must decide I really want to grow. When I make that choice, I am simply doing what God wants me to do. Paul wrote, "But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ" (Eph. 4:15). God both desires and expects us to grow. But growth does not come by accident, it is a choice.
(2) Start Today. The word of the Bible is "today." Today start that reading program. Today begin a new program of personal, mental exercise. It is too easy to wait until tomorrow. Today begin attending leadership class. Start growing today!
(3) Be Teachable. A person who thinks he has already arrived
who thinks he knows it all and who will not listen to others, will not
grow. Peter exhorts, "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior
Jesus Christ (2 Pet. 3:18). To accomplish that goal, I must be a teachable
person. John Wooden, who lead UCLA to a record number of basketball championships,
once said, "It's what you learn after you know it all that counts."
We keep learning by reading the Bible, taking advantage of classes,
seminars, listening to tapes, attending outside functions in our area of
need and interest, and reading books and magazines.
(4) Never stay satisfied with current accomplishments. The whole concept of growth means to increase, to develop, to move on. In the early church it says, "But the word of God grew and multiplied" (Acts 12:24). That means there were results, there was growth. Rick Warren said, "The greatest enemy of tomorrow's success is today's success." If we are to rise to our God-given potential, we must not be satisfied with yesterdays growth
(5) Focus on Self Development, not self fulfillment. Self fulfillment is feeling good, finding happiness, or 'finding yourself." Self development is much more. It has to do with discovering your purpose, developing your potential and daring to pursue your destiny. Happiness is the by product of a person seeking self development.
(6) Find a way to apply what you have learned. Jesus said, "Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (Jn. 13:117). Yes, faith without works is dead! As Jim Rohn put it, "Don't let your learning lead to knowledge. Let your learning lead to action.
Yes, growth is a struggle. The end result of the character of a Christian is not always evident to the world. But you and I know what it really takes to grow!
--Ken Weliever
In Matt. 9:32-34, Matthew records, "As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, 'It was never seen like this in Israel!' But the Pharisees said, 'He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.'"
Glancing back over the last few chapters, Matthew has told us of the cleansing of a leper, the healing of the paralyzed servant of a Roman centurion, the healing of Peter's mother-in-law who was sick with a high fever, the calming of a storm at sea, the freeing of two demon possessed men who had been extremely wild and dangerous before Jesus freed them from demon-possession, the raising of a girl from the dead, the healing of the woman who had been afflicted with a flow of blood for 12 years, the healing of two blind men, and numerous others who came to Him -- and now this freeing of the mute who had been demon possessed. No wonder the multitudes marveled. "It was never seen like this in Israel!"
But even in the light of Jesus' marvelous accomplishments, He always had His detractors. "The Pharisees said, 'He cast out demons by the ruler of the demons.'"
Luke 11:14-23 shows that still others came, asking for a sign from heaven. Indeed, after all the miracles He had worked in the immediate setting, what else could He have done to prove He came from heaven?
In fact, as He defended Himself against the charge of using Satanic powers, He reasoned that Satan certainly would not cast out demons. To do so would be to work against himself. Not only that, but the sons of the Pharisees -- perhaps a reference to their disciples -- also cast out demons, or at least claimed to do so. By whose power did they seek to overcome Satan? The only logical conclusion -- the necessary inference -- was that Jesus was operating by the power of God, and the logical application of that realization was that the reign of God Himself was evident in Jesus' ministry: "If I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Luke 11:20).
Finally, Jesus further illustrates this principle with a parable. The only one who can throw a strong man out of his palace is an even stronger man than the first. Likewise, the only one who could cast demons out of their dwelling place would be someone who possessed a power greater than even that of Satan, prince of demons. Only the power of God would suffice. Jesus did it with "the finger of God."
--CRJ