Spring 1999
From Here to There
Charles Haun

If we wish to move from one particular level to another, we must make an effort to do so. This is also true in the realm of the Spirit. Unless some effort is made toward spiritual progression, we will remain spiritually immature.

"... But whoever desires to be great among you,
let him be your servant" Matt 20:26.

Greatness is a desire, hidden or otherwise, that beats in most all of our hearts. Spiritual greatness is no exception; most believers have some longing for it. Jesus said there is a means by which we may travel to the place of greatness. The starting point is servitude.

"Let him be [not become] your servant." "Diakonos," the Greek word for "servant" is also translated, "minister." Therefore, "let him be" is a life characterized by servitude.

"And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after Me, and I will
make you to become fishers of men." Mark 1:17 KJV.

When we embark upon this journey of following Jesus, we become that which we were not, at the beginning of the journey. The "make you to become" process will happen as we journey onward.

It is in the difficult places of this journey that most of this "making" takes place. As we follow Jesus, He will lead us from one area of dealings to another, so that we might develop spiritually.

"But as many as received Him, to them gave He power (authority)
to become the (mature) sons of God, even to them that believe
on His Name" John 1:12 KJV (comment added).

If we are willing to receive, we can become. This offer is designed to bring us from being the children of Satan to the place where we can become mature sons of God. Once the offer (the person of Jesus) is received, the transition begins. Satan then holds no authority over us, since Jesus gives us the authority to break his hold. We become that which we never were.

As a new-born spiritual baby, we have the opportunity to forge further forward. Spiritual growth and progression are based on receiving. In order to become his disciple, we must receive our own crosses.

"And he who does not take up his cross and follow
Me is not worthy of Me." Matt 10:38.

“To whom our fathers would not be obedient, but
thrust Him away and turned back again to Egypt
in their hearts.” Acts 7:39.
Moving from disobedience to obedience also involves a receiving. When they "thrust Him away," they sealed their state of disobedience. If we do not receive correction through the Word of God and the dealings of the Holy Spirit, we will not come to a life of obedience.

Rejecting that which the Lord offers reverses the forward process and sends us backwards in our spiritual journey. If we have any desire toward spiritual progression, we must be careful to maintain an open heart to receive from the Lord.