How do you Change?

Suppose you walk into a church and find all of the congregants wearing nappies (diapers), and they are all crawling around on the floor like babies. Such is a church where church members don't grow spiritually. It follows that if we grow physically, we need to grow spiritually. We all start out as babies. Some never grow much. God loves us enough to require that we grow and he gives us the resources to change. God, of course, can simply transform us instantly, but he has chosen to change us by the work of the Holy Spirit, through gifted church leaders and members. Means that seem ordinary are the glorious realities of God's provision to you. Ignore this and you end up with churches filled with babies who think they are going deep into the things of God. They are easily entertained and are not concerned about exchanging true growth for superficial formalism. Such churches are so easily swept away by the latest wrong ideas. The church is God's design for your growth, when it functions in the way God has designed it to function. Speaking the truth in love, relationships marked by love and truth; this is what all of the activities of the church are intended to cultivate. Sadly, this is a rare thing. So pray that this growth will start with you.