The
working
of the Holy Spirit within us is like the growth of a seed. The Seed of
Messiah-within-us is first cast into this vessel of earth
at the New Birth. Yet the seed is not to remain a seed, but
is to be springing up, growing, and maturing into a sturdy, strong,
capable, fruitful tree — bringing forth fruit for the Master.
However, producing this fruit first requires an attitude of
teachableness — also called a "Teachable heart." How can we
acquire
this?
Our
faith should be growing, our hope abounding, our love
increasing. Each one of us, as the planting of Yahuweh, is to
be growing more humble, more holy (set apart), and more
self-denying. Indeed, we should have a concern for this
growth. If we are not growing, not changing — we are in
danger of backsliding.
How do we assist and
encourage this growth, this maturity? How do we grow up, from
being babes taking only milk, to being of full age, able to have the
strong meat of Yahuweh's Word?
Yahuweh
intends to grow us up and change each one of us. Have you
been changing? Have you been questioning yourself intimately,
then making adjustments as you grow up in Him?
Growing
in ObedienceLook what Yahushua did, as he matured:
"Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things
which he suffered..." (Hebrews 5:8) Yahushua
is our example. Yahushua Himself had to learn. He
learned obedience. Imagine that! Yahushua — the Son
of Yahuweh — was certainly a most beloved Son, and He was
certainly of
an obedient heart, for He came to do the Father's will (John 5:30).
However,
Yahushua voluntarily chose to learn obedience unto death. He learned
obedience by the things which he suffered. This is the highest example
of a teachable heart, which is gained by humility and obedience.
Yahushua's example of humility and obedience that is vital for us, if
we are to learn anything. This is the essence of a teachable heart. Are
we choosing to learn obedience, by enduring sufferings?
Death Brings
ResurrectionThere is only one way for Yahuweh to 'grow us up' and to change us:
"But
we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of
the Lord, are changed into the same image
from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2
Corinthians 3:18)
"...that
which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die..."
(1 Corinthians 15:36)
"He must increase, but I
must decrease." (John 3:30)
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." (Proverbs 3:5) In
order for us to be changed into the "same image" as the glory of
Yahushua, a death is required — a death to 'my own'
understanding. 'My own' understanding must humbly bow to Father's Words
and His Ways. If we desire to cooperate with Father and allow Him
to to do His conforming work, then 'my own' understanding should be
decreasing, so that His Words and His Ways
are increasing within us. This requires a softness of heart, which
is a teachableness — a willingness to hear and listen and
make changes. The result is, that His Resurrection Life and His
understanding increases in me, and begins to come forth.
This
is the mystery of transformation that Yahuweh works into His teachable
children — growing us up into the stature and fullness of
Messiah. Yet, we are far, far below the level of
understanding that Yahuweh is calling us to have. My little
"pea brain" has very much to Un-learn, and then much to learn.
The
attitude of a little child is Yahushua’s example of
a humble,
teachable heart. Our hearts should "become as little children"
whenever we are faced with an obstacle to our growth. Little
children have the strong desire to please their parents. We
should never outgrow the precious desire to please our heavenly
Father. Is that your desire?
One
who has a teachable heart will assume an attitude of humility in all
situations. A teachable heart wants to learn, and conform to
the understanding of Yahuweh's Words, and to His heart. A teachable
heart will be on guard against any hardness of heart. A hardness
of heart is characterized by a refusal to hear and listen and
obey.
Those
with a teachable heart are learning not to "lean unto my own
understanding." A teachable heart will not hold on tightly
to any of their "own understanding" whenever difficulties or
disagreements arise, but will search the Scriptures, and commit all to
prayer for understanding. This is the way of a teachable heart.
If
I ever hope to grow, to learn, and to
change, then I must have a soft, teachable heart at all times. I
must lay down that demanding spirit within me that seeks
to defend 'my'
position, and to hold on to 'my own' understanding.
Seek
rather to cultivate teachableness, which is a willing heart or
inclination to follow Yahushua’s leading, even into
unfamiliar
paths. Many times, this “upward” leading
goes against what I thought to be the right direction. But,
Yahuweh intends to remove "my" current understanding, so that He may
replace it with "His" understanding.
"Hath not God
made foolish the wisdom of this world?" My wisdom is nothing
at all compared to Yahuweh's wisdom. He is calling each one of
us to grow UP! He intends for each one of us to grow up to
"the rock that is higher than I" — grow up to His ways and
thoughts,
that are higher than my ways and thoughts.
Growing
UP is hard. At times it can be very humiliating and very
difficult. Ask any mountain climber if the way UP is hard.
The
Way UP is DownYet we must remember — there is a
paradox in
this. As Derek Prince used to say, "The way UP is
down." That is a Scriptural principle. It tells us
that as we humble ourselves and lay down our own understanding, then
Yahuweh will exalt us, and lift us up unto His understanding, in due
time. (1 Peter 5:6)
"The
way UP is down." This is the pathway of a humble and soft heart! A
humble heart is
one that is teachable. A humble heart is an
approachable heart. A humble heart is a
yielded heart. A
humble heart is willing to hear, repent, and obey. A
humble heart maintains a readiness for change.
A
humble heart nurtures the willing heart within, for growing in
the Ways of
Yahuweh. A humble heart will let nothing invade the sweet
tenderness that is so necessary for obeying the Father.
Yahuweh's
wisdom is so much better and higher than mine! IF I am truly
seeking to be conformed into His image, then I will be changing my own
ways, often. I will be repenting of "my own" understanding,
often. I will be humbling myself — often! And I
will rely on my Father to work in me a teachable heart.
Let
us pray, and ask Father to give us this "Teachable Heart!"
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