|
Expanding Perceptions -
Leaning into the discomfort
Heb. 5:14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. KJV
Introduction:
There are basically two types of people in the World.
- Those who believe life is messy and you must embrace and love it...
OR
- Those who believe Life is messy, Clean it up! Organize it, Box it up and label it.
We are placed in the earth by God's Sovereign plan.
By reason of "Adams sin" We will now experience both good and evil in our daily existence.
As a result we are given the power of free will and our choices can for some expand perceptions, broaden horizons and change one's character.
On the other hand if we only indulge in fleshly comfort and avoid all that is uncomfortable we will experience little growth.
Other Text Pertinent to our message
- Genesis 2:17 (KJV)
but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you will surely die." - Deuteronomy 30:19-20 (NAS)
"I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, 20by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days,
Every Christian matures in their body and their mind or soul (mind, will, emotions, intellect, imagination) and they also mature spiritually and this is done by exercising their spiritual senses. There are five spiritual senses just as there are five natural senses of sight, hearing, tasting, smelling, and touching in the spirit.
I- Spiritual maturity is a learning process.
All learning includes some discomfort. We must learn to lean into our discomfort. Even to suffer if need be to grow and become Mature Christians.
Let's look again at (Hebrews 5:8 - 14 6:1-3)
It say's:
8Though he were a Son,(Jesus) yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;
9And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
10Called of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec.
a. Note Paul's Warning against Drifting Away
11Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
13For every one that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
6:1Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, 2Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3And this will we do, if God permit.
II-A person Remains Immature because:
- A person Remains Immature because he is slow to learn - vs11
- A person Remains Immature refuses to grow - vs12
- A person Remains Immature he knows little about the Word of God, Little about righteousness - vs13
- A person Remains Immature because he does not train his mental and spiritual senses - vs14
- A person must get past the ABC's of teaching - past the basic, elementary teachings about Christ - Chapter 6:1-2
- A Person must be determined to grow in Christ vs3
III-Through spiritual practice, you learn how to be more open to Life as it is. You will cultivate compassion for others and embrace the present moment instead if living in one's past or future.
You also learn through spiritual practice, to embody wisdom in your thoughts, speech, and actions. But, it's a learning process.
When you're learning a new way of being - within yourself and in the world, it's inevitable that you'll feel like this isn't me! You may stumble and be clumsy at first.
Remember you are learning and as of yet you are out of your depths. Physically your nervous system is working hard to wire in the new way of thinking and acting.
You won't be a master on day one (or month one, for that matter). You are starting a journey of awakening. As you move into new areas of awareness and expression - you'll likely stumble.
IV-Stumbling doesn't have to feel uncomfortable.
- In fact, it can be very satisfying. It's your interpretation of a matter that counts. Expanding your Perceptions... not locked into your limited Cerebral History.
- You can even begin to change your experiences - your neurology - before you're in the physical situation.
- You can begin to develop new and more creative responses to old repetitive experiences - in the privacy of your own brain.
Closing
Col 1:10 - 11
10 so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have full endurance and patience, and joyfully...
Remember - practicing in our consciousness builds actual neural pathways that support new ways of behaving and interacting.
| 
