Tension and Growth

During the past few months I have been reading Money, Possessions, and Eternity by Randy Alcorn. It has been rather challenging to explore what the Bible has to say about money and how far we fall short of God's standards at times. I will probably be posting more of my insights related to the actual topic of the book, but today something popped out at me that was not specific to the issue of money. Talking about insurance on page 349, Alcorn writes:

There are many factors to consider when making an insurance decision. Sometimes I think we should have a little more insurance; other times I think we should have less. This tension is healthy. As we continue to grow in Christ, we continue to evaluate. But we are determined to follow His lead as best we can discern it. [emphasis mine]

Two things really struck me about this paragraph. First, the idea of healthy tension in the Christian life. Over the past several years, one thing that God has been teaching me is that there are two extremes to almost every issue in Christian living, and in almost every case, we are to take the middle ground between them, not falling into their extreme. This is hard for me, because I like things to be black and white and straightforward. This idea that the resulting tension we experience is healthy is very freeing! God wants us to constantly be thinking about why we are doing what we are doing, whether we can improve it, and always searching for and listening to God's will.

Secondly, continuing evaluation as we grow in Christ. As I have grown older, I have realized more and more that I cannot simply take a week, a month, or a year, decide my stance on all the issues, and then coast for the rest of my life. God is always revealing new ideas and new principles to us through His word and wise teachers of the Word. The Christian life is a constant journey of sanctification, re-evaluation, and learning. In all areas of our life, we need to be willing to constantly evaluate our behaviors, motives and beliefs and change them if God has revealed more wisdom to us that contradicts our current beliefs.


Even though these insights mean a harder, more involved Christian life, they encourage me. Coasting along secure in one's beliefs and free from tension is not a good way to grow and learn. I have new motivation to search the Scriptures, discuss the issues, and to follow His lead as best I can discern it at my current season of life!

 Any thoughts? What has God been teaching you lately about sanctification and the Christian life?

~Mac