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A young man who dives for exotic fish for aquariums told a story that one of the most popular
aquarium fish is the shark. He explained that if you catch a small shark and confine it, it will stay
a size proportionate to the aquarium you put it in. Sharks can be six inches long yet fully
matured. But if you turn them loose in the ocean, they grow to their normal length of eight feet.
That is like what happens to some Christians. There are plenty of 6-inch Christians swimming
around puddles. But if you were to put them out into the ocean of sanctification, they could
become formidable 8 to 10 foot warriors of the sea.
Sign of immaturity
Grumbling & Arguing (1 Cor. 10:10; Phil. 2:14; James 3: 14-18; 5:9; 1 Pe. 4:9;
Rom. 12:8; Eph. 4:31-32) (Contrast: Joy in all circumstances)
What gets you excited? What lights a fire under you? For what will you fight, tooth and
nail, as though your very life, or the lives of those you love, depended upon your success
in the struggle?
“Work out your own salvation” (i.e. serve God) with fear and trembling
(Ps. 2:11; Phil. 2:12, Heb. 12:28)
When Queen Victoria was a child, she didn’t know she was in line for the
throne of England. Her instructors, trying to prepare her for the future,
were frustrated because they couldn’t motivate her. She just didn’t take her
studies seriously. Finally, her teachers decided to tell her that one day she
would become the queen of England.
Upon hearing this, Victoria quietly said, "Then I will be good." The
realization that she had inherited this high calling gave her a sense of
responsibility that profoundly affected her conduct from then on.
Where can we find the will and the power to so strive? (see Rom. 7:2)
God works within our hearts to enable us to both will and act according to His good
purposes (2 Chron. 30:12; Phil. 2:14, Heb. 13:21)
God provides us with the “full armor” for the battle (Eph. 6:13)
Other keys
Worship
Fellowship
Why bother?
What is the proper place of a plant that fails to produce fruit? (Matt. 3:10; Luke 3:9; 13:9;
John 15:2)