HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 215
page A213
• H E B R E W S 6 :1 | So let us stop going over the basic teachings about Christ again and again.
Let us go on instead and become mature in our understanding.
Spiritual growth is like physical growth—we start small and move ahead one day at a time.
What are some secrets to reaching maturity?
• 1 C O R I NT H I A NS 9 :2 5 | All athletes are disciplined in their training. (See note on page 1037.)
Athletes excel as they exercise and push the boundaries of their physical capabilities.
Should we not give as much emphasis to spiritual maturity?
• 2 T I MOT H Y 2 :2 | Teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass
them on to others.
One of the most important reasons you strive for maturity is to set an example to pass on
to others so that they, in turn, know how to get the best from life. If you want to leave a
legacy of godliness, contentment, and joy, you can only do so through your example.
What may keep me from maturing? What must I avoid?
PROMISES FROM GOD
• PSA L M 9 2 :1 2 -1 4 | But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong. . . . For they
are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. . . . they
will remain vital and green.
• C O L O SS I A NS 2 :7 | Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him.
Then your faith will grow strong.
Meditation See Prayer; Worship
Mercy & Grace See also Compassion; Forgiveness; Justice
Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not being punished for what we deserve.
Grace is showing kindness to those who don’t deserve it. In a sense, grace is mercy in
action. The uniqueness of both mercy and grace is that they are given when the person
receiving them doesn’t expect it. The Bible tells us how God has extended grace to all
people by offering salvation—eternal life with him—for free! We don’t have to do anything
to earn it. In fact, we can’t earn it or buy it. We simply accept it by believing that Jesus,
God’s Son, died for our sins so we wouldn’t have to. In God’s mercy he accepts the
punishment for our sin and rebellion that we deserve, so that we may receive his unconditional forgiveness and the promise of eternal life with him. It sounds too good to be
true, but that is the very definition of mercy and grace. God’s ultimate act of grace is an
example of how we are to extend grace to others. We are to be quick to forgive, hasty in
extending kindness, generous in love—even when others don’t deserve it.
And if God was merciful toward us despite our sin, how merciful should we be toward
those who have wronged us?
What is mercy?
• PSA L M 1 0 3 :8 -1 0 | The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled
with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not
punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.
HelpFinder
The roadblocks you will encounter on the road to maturity will be in the form of temptations
that will entice you to get off the road and discourage you to the point of giving up. When
you allow yourself to get sidetracked by temptation, you will lose sight of what is truly important. Just as a child acts upon immediate desires, temptation acted upon causes sin, which
makes you spiritually immature. True maturity is recognizing and resisting the temptations
that try to slow down your journey toward the goals God has set for you.
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• I SA I A H 5 9 :2 | It’s your sins that have cut you off from God.
• 2 T I MOT H Y 2 :4 | Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life.
