August 23, 2019 – Click here to listen
I receive a wealth of requests to explain different passages from the Bible almost on a daily basis from folks I don’t even know. I’ve always felt uncomfortable about this because my education has not been formal but came through decades of reading and studying the Bible and various commentaries on my own. I feel the same sometimes about attempting to write books, especially on difficult passages.
A very good friend of mine recently wrote to encourage me to write more books and went on to tell me that I had a high level of spiritual maturity that others could benefit from. Ugh . . . I thought. I don’t feel that way about myself, but he went on to explain his logic. Here is a part of his letter:
“Quit holding back! I have written 11 books simply because I get satisfied easily; it is satisfaction for a time that I progress in my faith too. I would be embarrassed to come out with books that are not up to my maturity level spiritually, but the encouraging thing is that there are other people who haven’t progressed beyond my maturity level and will be blessed by it. If I wait for those who are lagging behind spiritually then they can’t possibly be as blessed as they would be by simply accepting the fact that we are all at different maturity levels. C.S. Lewis is obviously much more mature than I am and there are some other Christians who are beyond him spiritually. But C.S. Lewis has discovered a way of writing which blesses most maturity levels and that is why he is such a popular Christian author. His writings stretch most of us spiritually which is why he is so widely read.
Bob, I am certain that you are definitely ahead of most maturity levels spiritually. So, you are a kind of C.S. Lewis for us struggling floundering Christians. That is why your “devotionals” are so on target. At least I know they are on target for me. But I have a sneaky belief that most Christians are very close to my spiritual development. I guess therefore that I am pretty much the norm in Christian development. I would attribute that to my 50 years of ministry and some small part to my seminary training. What do you think? “
Hmmm . . . I would have to take issue with this great man as far as me exceeding his spiritual maturity level; however, taking me out of the picture I do agree with his point. All of us have something to contribute; however, many are reluctant to do so because they feel hesitant due to their lack of formal education or whatever. This does not mean baby Christians should immediately go out and sign up as Bible teachers, but it does mean that they have a spiritual maturity level that can help someonewho is not as enlightened as they are if they would simply do as my friend suggested and “Quit holding back!” I have more than one friend who absolutely refuses to pray in settings such as asking for God to bless food prior to a meal because they feel inadequate to say a prayer in front of anyone else. These same people would never witness to anyone or otherwise make so much as a peep to anyone about their spirituality.
I believe this is a mistake. After achieving our own salvation, our objective as Christians is to spread the Word of God and disciple others. If you were to do no more than share what God has done in your life since becoming a Christian, you will have begun to fulfill your purpose. It doesn’t have to be in flowery terms and full of hard to pronounce words, but a simple message of love. Everyone should have noticed a vast improvement in their lives from the before and after of having received Christ into their hearts. If I could not tell the difference, I would question my salvation.
So often we fall into the demonic trap Satan has set for us in this world and let our weaknesses and insecurities overtake us. We focus on what others think and say about us instead of on our Lord and His desires. We care so deeply about being accepted by those around us that we sacrifice resting in the acceptance and overwhelming love that God has for us. If you find yourself feeling like you’re not enough, listen to the truth of the Lord in His Word. Try sharing something that you have learned about your walk in faith today. God will provide an opportunity. Remember God created you and the Bible says you are His handiwork. That’s quite a compliment when you stop long enough to think about it and should remove any hint of low self-esteem far from your mind.
Quit holding back!
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!