I often read and reread my blogs, not only to get inspiration from them but also to ruminate on them on a deeper level if per chance, the Lord might grant me increased insight and clarity into his thoughts. In my last blog on Long-suffering, I stopped short of evaluating the Fatherhood stage of spiritual growth in Christ. This was partly prompted by the Holy spirit pressing Pause... and also by a strong awareness of the fact that I would be writing about a stage belonging to elders in the faith. Reverence and humility is expedient... But there is a spirit in man, And the Spirit of the Almighty gives him understanding. So as I ruminated, I knew. ..... ...... Babyhood in Christ obviously does not correspond to human years, in the same way, fatherhood in faith does not correspond with human age though it still requires time. The not-too-obvious is that as mental or emotional maturity is not synonymous with having cutting-edge knowledge, spiritual maturity does not correspond to having the latest bible revelations. God is vast and there is no end to his greatness. Deeper understandings of his existence, wisdom and operations will unfold and knowledge will continually increase. We cannot learn all he knows. Isaiah 40:28 An example is Abraham. What Moses knew of God was not shown to him, even what we Jesus followers know in Christ, neither he nor Moses knew... yet Abraham is our Father of faith. Though Abraham did not have all these new revelations, what he did have was unmistakable GRAVITY of faith in the integrity of El Shaddai [God Almighty]. Exodus 6:2, Rom 4:15, 18,20 It is this assured gravity in God and his word that marks Fathers apart.
What I call 'Gravity' is only forged through trials.
These trials challenge our trust in whatever God has said or revealed. The testing of faith (through distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance ['Gravity'].
When confident assurance kicks in, there is nothing more to prove, nothing to fear, nothing to want, nothing to lose. Imperfections get swallowed up by trust in his perfection. One enters into Christ's rest and stops struggling.
Matthew 13:21, Romans 5:3-4 Amp, Hebrews 10:12 From the diaper stage of just God as 'dada' who loves, feeds, and saves, through the Youth stage of knowing who they are as God's kids and using his power, status and ability as Almighty God to establish order, enforce victory in their lives and world, fathers have come full circle to gain a mature understanding of Love - God's dependable, responsible and true nature. Their knowledge of the Father is now a seasoned knowledge. A knowledge beyond just believing, it is now experience. God's faithful nature has become an unshakable reality- a proven Truth.
You fathers, I am writing you because you have known him who has existed from the beginning. You young people, I am writing you because you have overcome the Evil One. 1 John 2:13 CJB This is the aim of our growth in Christ, but it cannot come without 'testing troubles'. We, however, have as examples biblical Fathers and those like our own generation's Billy Graham, who have shown by their lives that the Lord is faithful if we endure in trust.
So brothers and sisters, you will have many kinds of trouble. But this gives you a reason to be very happy. You know that when your faith is tested, you learn to be patient in suffering. If you let that patience work in you, the end result will be good. You will be mature and complete. You will be all that God wants you to be.
James 1:2-4 ERV
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