Last week, I was out of town, and my wife delivered an amazing message about the word of God. If you missed it, I encourage you to go back and listen. It was part of our series called “Mature Church.”
This series emphasizes growing in our walk with God. It’s about understanding that we all have a next step to take. Our relationship with Jesus Christ is never supposed to be static; it’s meant to be dynamic and constantly evolving.
In many churches, especially here in America, there’s a tendency to become complacent after we accept Christ. We often settle into routines and stop pursuing deeper spiritual growth.
However, God has a promised land for each of us, full of blessings and opportunities. He wants us to experience an abundant life now, not just anticipate it after we die. To achieve this, we need to enter into all the things God has planned for us.
Our personal maturity affects the entire church culture. Our behaviors can influence each other, for better or worse. We need to be willing to evaluate ourselves and make changes to better represent Christ. This journey isn’t about achieving perfection but about becoming more like Him every day.
The Importance of Growing in Our Walk with God
Growing in our walk with God is crucial for every believer. When we first accept Christ, it’s just the beginning of our spiritual journey. God has so much more planned for us beyond salvation. He wants us to experience the fullness of His blessings and promises.
Staying stagnant can hinder our spiritual growth. Instead of setting up camp and getting comfortable, we need to keep moving forward. God has a promised land for us – a place of abundant life, both now and in eternity.
To reach this, we must be willing to grow and mature in our faith. This involves daily practices like prayer, studying the Bible, and applying biblical principles in our lives.
Our spiritual growth impacts our entire church community. When we make positive changes and grow, it influences others around us. Our actions, attitudes, and behaviors set an example. Evaluating ourselves and striving to become more Christ-like helps create a healthier church environment where everyone can flourish.
Understanding the Fundamental Attribution Error
The fundamental attribution error is a common cognitive bias. It happens when we attribute others’ actions to their character while blaming our own actions on circumstances. This bias can affect our interactions and judgments, especially during polarizing times.
For instance, if someone is late, we might think they are lazy or disorganized. However, if we are late, we have excuses like an important call or helping our kids. This bias makes it harder to understand others and fosters unfair judgments.
In politics, this bias can lead us to label people based on their affiliations, creating division. Mature Christians should rise above this. We need to see beyond surface actions and seek understanding. Jesus emphasized love and empathy, urging us to assume the best about others and extend grace.
Recognizing this bias helps us become more empathetic and less judgmental. By focusing on understanding and love, we can create a more supportive and unified community. This approach aligns with Christ’s teachings and helps us live out our faith authentically.
Prioritizing Love and Hope Over Politics
In a world filled with political strife, it’s easy to get caught up in divisive rhetoric. However, as followers of Christ, we are called to rise above these divisions. Our faith should come before political affiliations. Jesus taught us that love is the greatest commandment. Loving our neighbors, no matter their political views, aligns us with His teachings.
Fundamental attribution errors often lead us to misjudge others based on political lines. We might think negatively about someone just because of their political stance.
As Christians, we must focus on unity, not division. We need to prioritize the love and hope of Jesus Christ over our personal feelings or political ideas. This doesn’t mean we avoid important discussions, but we approach them with love and a desire for understanding.
The Bible teaches us to carry each other’s burdens, which can often mean setting aside our own biases to support and understand someone else. When we do this, we fulfill the law of Christ. By putting our faith filter ahead of our political filter, we can create a less hateful, more tolerant society. Love and hope should be the guiding principles in all our interactions, especially in a divided world.
Achieving Culturally Disruptive Unity
The early church modeled a form of unity that was revolutionary for their time. Despite cultural and class differences, they came together in love. This unity changed the Roman Empire and set an example for future generations. Today, we can learn from their example to achieve the same culturally disruptive unity in our own communities.
Paul emphasized this unity in Galatians, stating there is neither Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female. These words shattered the conventional norms of the time, creating an inclusive community where everyone had equal standing. This kind of unity is not just historical; it’s a blueprint for what we can achieve now. By focusing on what unites us—our faith—we can break down barriers.
We need to become stewards of God’s kingdom, promoting inclusive, unconditional love. This means putting our faith above any political or social affiliations. When we do this, we can influence society positively, just as early Christians did. By loving each other unconditionally and striving for unity, we can reshape our world to be more like the kingdom of God.
Conclusion:
The journey towards becoming a mature church is ongoing, requiring daily commitment and self-evaluation. Our growth affects not just ourselves but our entire community. As we focus on growing in our walk with God, understanding biases like the fundamental attribution error, and prioritizing love and hope over politics, we become better representatives of Christ.
Unity is not just an ideal; it’s a necessary goal. Culturally disruptive unity, modeled by the early church, can change our world today. We need to break down the walls that divide us and come together in love. This love and commitment to unity can influence not just our church but our society as a whole.
We invite you to join us at Amarillo Fellowship Church in this journey towards maturity and unity. Together, we can make a positive difference in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Let us strive to fulfill Jesus’ command to love one another, showing the world that we are His disciples. Plan a visit today to our church in Amarillo, TX, to learn more about how you can get involved and grow with us.