30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 17 1-2 Children and the kingdom of God 08 Our hope is in the Lord
📖 Luke 17:1-2
16Jun2020 - *Our hope is in the Lord* - _Luke 17:1-2_ - Bible reading: _Hebrews 6:1-3_
_Luke 17:1-2 Then He said to the disciples, "It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! (2) It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones._
The first lesson that we learn by focussing our attention on children is that we will *internalise a culture of willing to be unnoticed, ignored and overlooked but be focussed on genuinely caring for the vulnerable*.
The second lesson is the *lesson of Trust*. The third is to have a *hunger for God’s word* and the fourth lesson is the *lesson of Growth*.
The fifth lesson that we learn from children is that we should not remain immature but be free from malice. I Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature._
Apostle Paul is expressing his concern over the Corinthian believers. _I Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. (2) I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;_ He is concerned that they are not spiritual but still carnal.
What is involved in the process of maturity? _Psalm 119:99 I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation._ God’s testimonies or His ways need to be meditated upon and applied into our everyday life situations. This is how we will grow in understanding and as the Psalmist says, “have more understanding than my teachers”.
_Isaiah 11:3 His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears;_ We need to be those, who walk in the fear of the Lord, always and when we do so, we will not be those who make judgements by what we see and hear. People around us are making judgements on the basis of what they see and hear.
_Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. (13) For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. (14) But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil._
To be mature people, we are called to be those, who are skilled in the word of righteousness. Skill comes from the application of His word. Are you a person, who is applying His word, whatsoever may the cost? When we are skilled in the word of righteousness, we will have our senses exercised to discern good and evil.
_Hebrews 6:1-3 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection,(Must gain Christ) not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, (2) of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. (3) And this we will do if God permits._
Perfection is the pursuit of gaining Christ. _Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. (13) Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, (14) I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus._
Like children, we need to be free from malice. _Psalm 131:1-3 A Song of Ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. (2) Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. (3) O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever._
Are you carrying hurts and grievances against people? Learn to hope in the Lord. Being free from malice and ill will towards others is a crucial lesson in our journey in maturity.
*Thought to ponder*
```The church must be committed to maturity or gaining Christ.```