Helping Others Grow in Christ Helps Us Grow, Too

Do you use osmosis? One high school teacher used to joke that you can’t use a book as a pillow and wake up having studied. Even little kids learn things like language, walking, etc. by practicing, not just watching. They absorb ideas (like how language works) but they grow trying to imitate others and getting better at it.

We can absorb facts. But, we don’t grow through osmosis like sponges. This is why I emphasize salvation means a personal relationship with Jesus. It’s important to know you have called on Jesus to save you from your sins personally. Works don’t save you. But, as Phil. 2:12 says, you should work out in your mind and heart if you’ve made that personal decision, to know for sure you are saved and going to Heaven.(1 John 5:13, etc.)

Other things, too, need to be done actively, not through osmosis. Church is one. Anything doctrinally sound will help you grow in Jesus. That’s why it’s important, if you can’t go, to view online & why we suggest Canton Baptist Temple (cantonbaptist.org). It’s why CBT has vans, so people who can’t drive can get there. We want you to grow spiritually on Sundays. These are just like Thursday lessons for when we have club.

Even online, people can build friendships. I told you about my friend with Asperger’s, Paul Austin from Australia. I’ve known him online 21 years. It seems he is saved, but struggles; please pray he is saved (or will be if he isn’t) and that he gets assurance of God’s love. He went through awful things as a child, his handicaps made it worse. There is much evil in the world. Some pretend to follow God but they don’t. Jesus fought such people. That’s why Jesus says we will be known by our fruit, and a good tree can’t bring forth evil fruit.

If a person like him has been hurt, it won’t help to just say “all have sinned.” A person like that needs acceptance, someone to listen. The world doesn’t realize all sin offends God. So, point out that God condemns sin and He will judge evildoers. Then, focus on how none of us is perfect and the only way to be protected from evil when you die is to trust Jesus as Savioiur. The person will likely accept they aren’t perfect – Paul did - and that their sin means they fall short of the glory of God. The key is to recognize that they hurt because of evil done to them or someone else, and that God understands and can heal their pain.

A good church family helps people to heal. Godly people listen when others hurt. A group of believers should be sound doctrinally, love others, and encourage others to care for the hurting so they can heal and then minister Christlike love to others. We’re called to be Christlike. Sure, we can have fun with friends there, too, just put God first.

Sometimes it means putting up with those who are struggling and need us to show His grace and mercy. It’s vital to show it at home, too. Remember, saved people are brothers and sisters in Christ. When a believer is baptized (a picture of what happened when they trusted Jesus to save them) at CBT that term is used to show the believer is in God’s family.

A hand is used to show kids the 5 ways to grow in Jesus, 1 for each finger/thumb: Bible reading, Praying, Telling others about Jesus, Worshipping together, & Giving. (Baptism comes from following Jesus in testifying that you’ve trusted in Jesus – definitely 1&3,usually 4 but as long as it’s a public profession of faith, you can do like Earnest Byner one NFL season; I seem to recall Sports Illustrated reported (the public part) that teammate Reggie White baptized Byner in his hot tub. Byner had gotten saved and they had games on Sunday.

We know CBT is great; they own Camp CHOF and have many great adult and youth classes. There are still people who watch online, of course. Whether your family isn’t ready to go out yet, remember to grow in Christ in each of those areas, so you can be effective light and salt, like Jesus calls us to be.