It is time to move forward. Some of us have been in the place we are in right now for quite a while. I do not mean moving forward without God, I mean moving forward with Him. A friend of mine asked me, "How can you let go to move in another direction if you keep trying to maintain and uphold where you are?" Especially if it is weighing you down. I thought, "WOW," that is a really great question.
Are we afraid of what people will think? Are we afraid that we will fail? Are we afraid to be wrong or make a mistake? Sometimes we try to interpret what God has confirmed for us to do and then we end up confused and needing clarity. One thing I have been learning is that we have to stop making our own assumptions about what the word of God says and actually know it and study it in the right context.
It is difficult to truly grasp the truth if you are not feeding yourself the proper nourishment. The Holy Spirit sheds light on the truth of God's word.
"The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple," (Psalm 119:130, English Standard Version).
It can also be challenging when leaders in a ministry that you are a part of do not have teachings that are prevalent for a person to have a solid walk with Christ. Knowing the whole bible is important and a good foundation is necessary so that we know and understand how, where, and when God is calling us to apply His word to our lives.
When I really took the time to think about it, sometimes people honestly are making every effort to be in their word and following their leaders and ministers teachings; and they may not know right away that what they are learning is wrong until the veil is lifted and they are able to see the truth.
I get upset because sometimes the body of Christ can be so impatient and a little harsh with how they handle people that may not be under the right teaching or headship. We have all experienced this to some degree and we needed guidance so that we could move beyond where we were.
The last thing some one needs is another believer barking at them about how wrong they are. If we are so right then we should be open to teach people the truth, not criticize them. We are called to serve, not be a stumbling block in a believer's growth in Christ. We need to pray for people so that Christ can be revealed in their lives.
"So let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall," (Romans 14:13, New Living Translation).
A teacher of mine mentioned the fact that sometimes we are so pressed to get people into heaven that we forget the most important thing, and that is their relationship with Christ. He said that sometimes they have to be saved to get saved; meaning that we must show who Christ is in our lives and His love and this brings forth restoration; we do not always know who God has called unless He has revealed it to us. We have to meet people where they are like Christ did, with His guidance, in order to help pull them closer to Him.
I told a friend of mine that at one time I was so busy trying to help people get healing, and I was not healed or delivered from what I wanted them to get deliverance from. I mentioned that it is as if I was drowning and trying to save someone. If they do not know how to swim because I did not teach them through my life (salvation), then they are going to drown with me.
The word of God must be evident in our lives, so that if someone is learning something false, then when they do encounter the truth in our lives, they will recognize His light. If we are always pointing out what is wrong but not bringing seasoning to their lives through our walk, then what is the point in pointing it out. People will trample all over what you shared.
"You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost it's flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless," (Matthew 5:13, New Living Translation).
We must administer the word the way Christ would, otherwise people will be discouraged, fearful, and hesitant to move forward. As we grow in God's truth we can share it in love by building up the body with all that Christ has gifted us with, instead of tearing it down.
"Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." (Ephesians 4:11-16 New Living Translation).
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