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STUMBLING BLOCKS TO GROWING IN FAITH

What are some of the stumbling blocks that might hinder us from fully understanding the faith walk ? Let’s search the scriptures to see what they could possibly be. Jesus gave us a parable that explains it very well. Although this parable talks about money it can be used as lessons in spiritual growth as well.

Matthew 25,14 - 30 The Parable of the Talents It will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants, and entrusted (a beautiful word) his property to them.[This sounds much like Jesus going home to his father and entrusting his followers with the plan of salvation]To one he gave five talents of money to another two and to another one talent, each according to his ability, [ability is a key word] Then he went on his journey. The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more . So also the one with the two talents gained two more. But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his masters money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. [There will be a day of accounting for us also] The man who had received the five talents bought the other five. “Master,” he said, “You entrusted me with five talents, see I have gained five more.” His master replied,”Well done good and faithful servant . You have been faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness.”

[ A tremendous invitation. Could this be talking about eternal life with the our Lord? This scripture also tells us what a major ingredient faithfulness is to growing in faith and bringing rich rewards.] Then the man who had received the one talent came; “Master,” He said, “I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. [The blame game.] So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. [Fear of failure is a large stumbling block to growing in faith.] “See, here is what belongs to you ...” His master replied, “You wicked, lazy [laziness is a part of our stumbling blocks ] servant. So you knew that I harvest where I had not sown and gathered where I had not scattered seed? [It is our job to spread the good news of Salvation] Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned [Jesus is definitely going to return] I would have received it back with interest. Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will For everyone who has will be given more; and he will have an abundance [rewards for our service to our Master]. Whoever does not have, even what he has will to taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'"

I believe we need to asked ourselves, "What is a worthless servant?" In my opinion it is one who doesn't understand the transforming power of the New birth. 2Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come."

'New creations' shouldn't be walking and living and thinking like their old 'unregenerated' selves. They have repented from all their past and have become a productive servant and child of the loving, living Lord! We have no fear of being cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Stumbling blocks are handicaps we place upon ourselves by not knowing or understanding what we do know. Proverbs 18:15 "The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;.."

Proverbs 3 : 21-24 "My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; when you lie down; you will not be afraid."

The more we study God's word and begin to apply it with confidence the sooner the stumbling blocks will disappear from our walk of faith.