THIS IS TABLE ROCK FELLOWSHIP – PASTOR RYAN LADEN (DEVOTIONALS)
Mature & Complete
What makes someone mature? It is a pretty subjective concept and therefore difficult to define. But surely, we all know what it looks like to be around someone who is immature. There is a real difference between those people that we see as being on either side of the maturity continuum.
But what does it take to make someone mature in their faith? We can hear a bit about this idea in the passage that follows:
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
Necessary Ingredients
In this message we hear that there are some truly necessary ingredients that must be present in us if we are going to become people that are mature, complete, not lacking anything in our walk with the Lord Jesus.
One such ingredient is presented with the phrase, “trials of many kinds.” This is not an ingredient that any sane person wants to add into their life. And yet, whether we like it or not, we will face trials and hardships throughout our lives.
It is important for us to know that these trials are known to the Lord and that they do not catch God off guard. In fact, Jesus himself told his disciples this truth and we can hear it in the passage that follows:
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Complete
When we encounter loss, grief, setbacks, pain, sickness, persecution, etc., these examples of trials are what the Lord uses in our hearts to help us become more mature. More confident in his presence, in his promises, and in his ever-present help.
To persevere in our faith is to go through the trouble while openly and confidently believing that the Lord Jesus Christ has won the victory and that in this life or in eternity, we will join in HIS ultimate success.
Continuation
This teaching continues in James1:12, which is given below:
“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
Stand
Trusting in the Lord during times of hardship is not easy. When hard times come, those traveling along with the world on the “wide way” will tell you to give up on God, turn away from the Bible, leave the church. Their life is oriented around themselves. They cannot see; it is in the choice to stand firm in the storm that real strength and maturity is developed.
It is encouraging to hear that the person to receive the blessing of the crown of life is the one who simply stood the test – stood firm, did not give up, and did not let go.
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ,
As I venture out into this day, help me to make the choice to stand firm, to hold fast to what you say is real and true. Help me to grow in maturity and to refuse to follow the ways of the immature.
In Christ,
Ryan Laden
OUR MISSION AS A CHURCH
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