“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” (Luke 2:52). As the Lord we also need to increase in these four needful areas. Let’s study these four areas so we can also have a full beneficial and blessed life for the Lord.
(1) Wisdom (mentally). Never stop learning. Read, study, listen, and seek knowledge. When you stop knowing, you stop growing. When you stop learning, you will stop leading. Learn from others who have more knowledge than you. Knowledge is good.
(2) Stature: (physically).Because of physical neglect many have died prematurely. This is sad because it could have been prevented. Many have lost quantity and quality of many precious years. The late Evangelist Oliver Green said, “Evangelism killed me. In my revivals, people and preachers continually overfed and over served me.” We cannot change others, but we can change ourselves. Mark Twain said, “Quitting smoking is easy, I have done it hundreds of times.” Some say, “I can resist everything but temptation.” Doctors have commented, “If only he had come to me earlier, this could have been prevented.” Poor health can hinder you from serving the Lord. Don’t let your body control your life. Seek to stay hearty and healthy.
(3) Favor with God (spiritually). Seek relationships not rituals or rules. Be still and personally know God (Psa. 46:10). The Lord invites us to draw nigh to Him and He will draw nigh to us (James 4:8). Stay close to God. Enoch walked with God. Abraham was a friend of God. There is no substitute for a good relationship with God. We can have favor and fellowship with God.
(4) Favor with man (socially). God made us with a desire for relationships so we could have a relationship with Him. We need to love someone and we need someone to love us. We need people. I need you. You need me. We all need the Lord. Don’t love things but love people. Things cannot return your love. Many people later state, “I wish I had given more time to my family, friends, and health.” Don’t have regrets. In closing, do not excel in one area and neglect the other three. Don’t excel in two areas and neglect two areas. Seek to excel in all four areas so you can have a full balanced and beneficial life. If you don’t like what you are then change who you are. Seek to make the days ahead the best you have ever known. Loving moments bring lasting memories. You cannot change the past, but you can change the future. These are four lessons for a full life.
