Isaiah 28:10 - "For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.”
In a world of "quick fixes", we have become accustomed to getting what we want whenever we want it. This attitude, whether we have realized it or not, is anti-God. Why? Because God does things according to His own timeframe and His own "value system" and RIGHT NOW isn't typically how He operates and certainly not if we demand it!
You see, long-suffering, faith and self-control are fruits of His Spirit that we begin to grow in once His Spirit indwells us. And good, lasting fruit is not produced overnight. Good things rarely are.
Diet pills may give quick results, but they typically do not last. Why? Because proper discipline did not produce the results and, when the pills are gone, the same old roots are gonna produce the same old fruits. Heavy weights are not lifted overnight. Why? Because muscle must be built. It takes strain to build the muscle, so genuine strength is built after straining and straining and straining over time. Most anyone can run, but few can run for distance. Why? Because body systems must develop for the activity of running to be sustainable. Cardio, respiratory, and muscular systems must be strengthened and the mind must be disciplined in order to achieve this task. Deep knowledge of any subject cannot be gained without effort. Why? The mind must be exercised, building one solid block of truth upon another until understanding is gained. Mastery in a subject is achieved when advanced truths are solidly rooted in fundamental truths, producing a depth of knowledge unto understanding and application, which is wisdom. If God established our bodies and minds to work this way, doesn't it stand to reason that our spirits must be trained in the same manner?
Godly wisdom is not achieved overnight. It comes by a continuous intake of God's Word followed by sincere attempts at applying what He has revealed. The intake and application of God's Word are evidence of a trust in Him. When we forsake old thought patterns and adopt His revealed knowledge, which is far different from ours, it expresses to Him that we are no longer our own. We have given ourselves to Him.
As Christ-followers (Matthew 13:1-23), we are not looking for a "quick fix" (v. 20-22), but for genuine, sustained growth (v. 23). This work is accomplished - "precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little." God is pleased to work in our lives in this way. The question is, are you pleased for Him to do so?
Nothing fancy, just faithful. Hear His Word. Do His Word. Over and over again. Get as much in you as is possible. Read the Bible. Listen to sound doctrine being preached. Attend all church services that you can. Talk about His Word with family, friends, neighbors and even strangers. Pray for His revelation of truth. Expect it. Don't stop.
If we do this as a church, before too long, we will - "all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes." (Ephesians 4:13-14)
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