Spiritual Training to Gain Strong Faith

The Apostles, Joseph, Joshua, Daniel, Job, David and other great biblical characters lived in the same world, but how differently they interpreted their relationship with God. Learning from them, I can see that circumstances did not control them; it is their reaction to circumstances that determined what kind of people they were and most importantly, how faithful they were. In reality, I cannot expect to escape circumstances because they will always happen, one way or another. Without circumstances, my self-discovery will not be completed and my self-judgment will be biased and imperfect. I hvae discovered who I am, I found out who and what I am not and who I am in Christ. My greatest teachers have been my circumstances because my greatest spiritual growth occurred in the most unfavorable of circumstances as those great faiths did in the days of Biblical times. Spiritual maturity requires great care and a true knowledge of ourselves to distinguish a spiritual burden from irritation around us but at the same time, we cannot close our minds to everything that is happening around us. Spiritual Wisdom and Strong Faith sees everything in focus and be able to trust God no matter what happens. God leads us to our destiny according to His will and glory. No matter what we do, God is always guiding us through our circumstances (good and bad). Nothing is impossible for Him. God is Good and at the same time, God is Holy and Sovereign. While there are those who desire to be protected, rather not learn and go through the spiritual training. As in most physical training, even in the most physical sports...they call it "No pain, no gain" training. Hebrews 5:11-14 is really about the spiritual dynamics underlying the Christian's stalled growth in Christ. New babes fails to understand the true nature of the Christian life, which is not static but dynamic and expanding. Many of us had plenty of time to mature and we had adequate time to grow and change is not a problem. These verses explains that Christians continue to manifest childish behavior instead of growing to spiritual adulthood. They often ignore the sanctifying effects of the cross carrying and skip the need for spiritual training. Spiritual training which is necessary for forming spiritual fruits that are needed to wrestle against the world, the devil and the flesh. Spiritual growth with maturity and balance will happen only when we apply ourselves to God's guidance. This is like an athlete training for physical prowess, our spiritual renewal involves moral conditioning through making the right motives from our hearts which leads to spiritual and emotional maturity. The main principle is going back what Jesus commanded: "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross!" In our spiritual training of the Cross, certain number of distractions are bound to come to each one of us; but if we learn to be inwardly still these can be rendered relatively harmless. Grace of God will enable us to overcome distractions. Our hearts are like a garden and must be kept free from weeds and insects. To expect the fruits and flowers bloom in an untended heart is to misunderstand completely the processes of Grace and God's will. (Read Hebrews 6:7-8). Later in Chapter 11, there were examples of great Faiths who kept their heart with God. Quote by A.W. Tozer: "In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews we have a long list of benefits which faith brings to its possessors: justification, deliverance, fruitfulness, endurance, victory over enemies, courage, strength and even resurrection from the dead. And everything that is attributed to faith might with equal truth be attributed to prayer, for faith and true prayer are like two sides of the same coin. They are inseparable." Of course, we must not forget Hebrews, Chapter 12 where our spiritual training really happens. God wants us to be strong and He is our spiritual trainer and He will do anything to get us prepared and go for the prize. God's promise is great, but it is as great as we experience spiritual growth from God's perspectives by cultivating the knowledge of God while at the same time cultivate our faith. As we are training for our spiritual growth, we look NOT AT our faith but in Christ of WHO we have faith in, who is THE author and finisher. "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1). The Holy Spirit tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus not on others who are also running the race! There are important things each of us should know and understand about our struggles as the faithful people of God. Jesus provides both strong warning and loving encouragement, for there is always the danger of losing the race, but there is also the victor's reward awaiting those who run with patience and endurance.