Wednesday Night Reflection – April 9, 2025: Growing in Christ and Living Out Obedience
Philippians 3 | Hebrews 3 | Hebrews 10 | Ephesians 4
In tonight’s lesson, we are challenged to examine how we respond to others, how we grow in our faith, and how we live out our obedience to God. From listening carefully to others to building our spiritual muscles, God calls us to continually grow and mature in our walk with Him.
Be Swift to Hear, Slow to Speak, and Slow to Wrath
Philippians 3 urges us to practice patience in our relationships. Be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. This biblical wisdom is crucial in a world where it’s so easy to react impulsively. If someone is telling you something that could help you become better, why would you be upset about it? We are called to listen with humility and understanding. When we act in haste or frustration, we close ourselves off from learning and growing. It’s essential to receive constructive feedback with an open heart, knowing that it might just be God’s way of shaping us.
Sensitivity and Repentance
Hebrews 3 asks: Are you constantly a sensitive person? While sensitivity can be a strength, it can also be a barrier to growth if it prevents us from responding to correction in a healthy way. Repentance isn’t just about acknowledging when you’ve done something wrong; it’s about taking the necessary steps to change. Simply saying, “I did wrong,” without a heart change, is not true repentance.
Everything that happens in our lives is under God’s sovereignty. There are no accidents—only opportunities to learn and grow. The question we must ask ourselves is: What is God wanting me to learn, do, or improve from this situation? It’s easy to fall into a mindset where we blame others or external circumstances for our struggles. However, God allows us to experience things to refine us and teach us. Are you allowing your experiences to shape you for the better?
The Influence of Others
We all encounter situations where people try to “dump” their sin or negativity onto us. Hebrews 3 warns us not to allow others to influence us without bringing a Godly perspective into the conversation. It’s essential to listen to others but also to offer spiritual guidance and wisdom. Do you allow others’ negativity to influence you, or do you respond with truth and grace?
There’s also the question of unsolicited advice. Do you only speak to people when they ask for advice, or do you step in when you feel God prompting you to help? Sometimes, the best thing we can do is offer wisdom and truth, even when it’s not asked for. But we must do so with humility and love, understanding that our role is to build others up, not criticize them.
The Relationship Between Obedience and What Happens to You
Hebrews 10 reminds us that there’s a direct relationship between obedience and the outcomes in our lives. What are the adverbs that describe you? Are you faithfully walking in obedience to God, or do you find yourself wavering in your commitment? Your actions, or lack thereof, are a reflection of your heart. What you do for God today matters.
Growing for the Church
As Christians, we are called to continually grow in our faith and service to the church. But here’s a challenge: Have you grown in what you do for church, or have you grown out of what you do for church? Are you still actively contributing to the body of Christ, or have you allowed complacency to take root in your life? Growth isn’t just about gaining knowledge—it’s about taking action and serving God in meaningful ways.
The Verbs That Describe You
As we reflect on the person God is calling us to be, we should examine the verbs that describe us. Are you living a life of action for God? Or are you stagnant, waiting for someone else to step up? To live in Christ requires action. What is it that you are doing for God today? Whether it’s serving, loving, sharing the Gospel, or building up others in faith, our faith is most powerful when it’s put into motion.
Standing in Christ, Even When It’s Uncomfortable
Ephesians 4 challenges us that being uncomfortable is sometimes what it takes to stand firm in Christ. We are not called to a life of comfort or ease, but to a life of transformation. Sometimes, standing in the truth of the Gospel will make us uncomfortable, but it’s in those moments that we grow spiritually. Just like building physical muscles, growing spiritually requires effort and endurance. We must be willing to push through the discomfort, knowing that God is strengthening us for the purpose He has for our lives.
Conclusion: Building Spiritual Muscles
In summary, tonight’s reflection calls us to examine how we respond to correction, how we grow in our faith, and how we actively live for Christ. Growth requires action—it’s not enough to simply hear the Word of God. We must respond to it, share it, and live it out in our daily lives. God is calling us to step up, grow, and become stronger in our faith. So, ask yourself: What verbs describe me? What am I doing for God today?