Change
- bridgingthegapsmin
- Jan 21, 2021
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 30, 2021
Before we get started, Here is a lesson on Change. To access the lesson click on the link to our Landing Page, create a free account or log in, select the Series Life Is a Journey then click on the lesson that corresponds with this post. While you are there feel free to join our study group. Here is the Student Worksheet, Lesson Transcripts, as well as Helpful Definitions.
Okay, so here we go! You have now become an entirely new person. How do you feel? Different, happy, excited, the same, scared, not sure about it, confused? I'm sure every Christian person has felt at least one or more of these emotions. I think I felt a bunch of them, and at different times throughout my journey. This is another crucial point in the life of a Christian. What you do next can make a huge difference in your future. This is the place where I went completely sideways. I didn't have anyone to help me understand the magnitude of the gift I had been given. If my understanding of the process of becoming a Christian was clear, I may have not initially been the 3rd slave. I say initially because I'm no longer the 3rd slave. I am now one of the two, 1st and 2nd.
Let me explain.
There is a story in the bible called the Parable of the Talents which can be found in Matthew 25:14-30, and a similar story in Luke 19:12-27 The Parable of the Ten Minas (Disclaimer: Both of these Parables are about so much more than just this surface view that we will go over.) In this story, Jesus is speaking in Parables just as he often does. He tells of a wealthy slave master who is leaving town for a long trip. The slave master gives 3 of his slaves talents (a large sum of money) each slave has a different amount of talents. The 1st he gives 5 talents, the 2nd he gives 2 talents, and the 3rd he gives 1 talent. The first two slaves take what was given to them and they multiplied what they were given. 5 talents turned into 10; 2 talents turned into 4. The 3rd slave buried what was given to him and did not multiply the talents, He did nothing with it. When the master returned, he called the slaves in to see what had become of his money. The first two eagerly shared the increase they had accomplished. The slave master told them since they were good stewards with what they were given, they would be given more responsibilities. The slave master welcomed them to share in his joy of having the increase; as well, he called them good and faithful servants. The 3rd salve came in and explained that he had buried the talents because he knew that the slave owner would often profit from things he did not work for. He was afraid of losing his master's money so he just hid it, and was able to offer back to the master simply what was initially given to him. The master called him an evil and lazy slave. The master said you knew this about me, but you didn't even put the money in the bank so that it could at least draw interest. He then demanded that the talents be taken from the 3rd slave and given to the 1st. The 3rd slave was then ordered to be thrown into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
So now I ask you, You have been given these talents(the gift of salvation), what will you do with it? Will you be like the first two slaves, or like the 3rd?
So many times, Christian people will look down their noses at other Christians who seem to be doing well. They are wealthy, prosperous, thriving, but yet some Christians thumb their noses at those who are doing well. Sometimes I feel this is exactly how some Christians perceive wealthy Ministers and Pastors. I dare to ask those thumb nosing Christians, what have you done with the talents that you were given. Each one of us who have received the gift of salvation, all have the same opportunity to show God that we can be good stewards of his talents His money, His time, His word, His people, etc. (see Luke 12:42-43) If we are good stewards of the little things God gives us, then he will trust us with more. It's up to us to show him that we will be responsible. It is also up to God to decide who gets 5 talents, who gets 2 talents, and who gets 1. That decision is not made by the slave/Christian, but also take note of The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard Matthew 20:1-16.
Think of it just as you do with your children or friends. We allow our children more freedom, more responsibility when they show us they can handle it. We share more of our secrets with our friends when they can show us that they can be trusted. It all works the same. If you are not where you feel you should be, then you may want to ask yourself are you trustworthy?
Keep in mind, an apple tree bears apples, a pear tree bears pears. A #3 slave will bear the fruit of a #3 slave. There is no fooling God, and you can't fool other people (not that anyone has the right to judge). I would tell my kids often, "your actions will always tell on you every time". This statement is something that I completely believe. If I say I'm kind, then my actions will prove what I say without me even noticing it. If you are a #3 slave your actions will prove it without you noticing it. So with that said, if you say you have accepted the gift of salvation, Sanctification is the natural process/actions that follow. Sanctification is the sure proof/fruit of Salvation. Now, we will never be finished with Sanctification while we are living. It will always be a work in progress. Physical death ends our journey towards Sanctification, but be aware that walking towards Sanctification produces the fruit of CHANGE.
A question that I feel God asked me: Can you say that you accepted my gift if you don't change?
It was powerful, it sat on my chest like a ton of bricks. I sat and meditated on that question for a long time. It is a part of how I changed from a #3 slave. Here is a really good article that fully explains the Parable of The Talenst.
The bottom line is, Change has to happen. We can't just bury our gift. We have to understand that change is necessary to become good stewards of that gift. We can look at the fruit of our salvation by looking at the change that is taking place in us to be more like Christ. Christians are people who follow the teachings of Christ. Our life should look more and more like Christ's life as we go along our journey. Since none of us are perfect, sinless, nor will we ever be, it is an ongoing effort to change, to mold our lives to replicate that of Christ. Most of all, we should be aware that change is not instant, it is a gradual transition, but it is not stagnant.
Back in the day, I was a #3.... a counterfeit, I didn't even realize it. My lack of knowledge kept me there. Even the lack of WANTING to know more. I'm so grateful God asked me that thought-provoking question. It changed my life drastically. Here is a really good article that can help you to understand what happens when you go through the motions of being a Christian but not really bearing the fruit of a Christian. I will also include a helpful link explaining: What are the Fruits of the Spirit.
So I ask you again, You have been given these talents(the gift of salvation), what will you do with it?
Please feel free to comment on this post. I would love to find out if it is helpful. Also, please let us know if you have any specific topics you would like us to cover.
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