We live in a day and age where there are tons of competing voices even to the point of white noise in the Christian World. Through all the noise I heard a clear voice express some fresh and compelling ideas about spirituality that I thought I’d toss out there for you to chew on. These thoughts are based on a talk I heard Larry Osborne, Pastor of North Coast Church in California, give last week and are expounded upon further in his book, “Spirituality for the Rest of Us.”
#1 The ultimate mark of a disciple is obedience
Maturity isn’t what you know so much as it is what you do with what you know.
#2 Spiritual Growth is seldom a linear process
As maturing Christ followers we all tend to take the same courses; we just take them out of order. As a result many people end up pretending, projecting, and beating themselves up. Because we forget that maturity is movement towards obedience, not some badge we get when we arrive at some special destination or pass a special test they give at church.
#3 No two personal relationships are ever exactly alike
I am one dad, with one house, but I have 3 kids with 3 different personalities (two girls, and one boy). Who all relate to me differently and I relate to differently. Yet at the same time there are house rules that are consistent across the board. People relate to God differently, and He relates to them differently…and that’s okay.
#4 When tools become rules you build pride instead of disciples
You have to honestly look in the mirror and ask yourself, “What draws me closer to Jesus?” Then do that. Don’t feel guilty for what doesn’t work for you, or project what works for you onto other people. It’s possible for people to recite their checklist of spiritual disciplines they are involved in and still be having an affair. Activity doesn’t equal maturity.
Question:
Which one of these questions or statements about spritual development is the most difficult for you to get your head around? Leave a comment below.
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