Maximizing Every Opportunity (and stages of Sonship)

March 6 2022- Pst John Kabithi

Ephesians 5:16 – making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

The heroes of the Bible are known as they are because they have engaged faith and chose to have God lead them no matter the circumstances. They totally dependend on God to engage in their situation, no matter the circumstances.

They did not allow themselves to be tied to their circumstances. They stood out in their complete faith in God. They maximized the opportunity that faith in God presented them.

Gideon of the least family in the least tribe, Rahab the harlot, Moses the prince who despised the throne to live at the level of his kin… and many others point to one thing:

No matter where you are, and who you are, God will fish you from there and place you at your rightful place.

But we must purposefully and deliberately engage God.

Saul had been ordained by God, but he did not maximize the opportunity. God removed him. So we must take deliberate actions to grab and live the opportunities that God is giving us.

God will pick up a mature church. We have choices to make to take the opportunities presented to us. How we engage will determine how and if we move from one level of maturity to another. It doesn’t matter if we fail, we still have the opportunity to get up and continue in the right direction. That would need us to put down our pride and keep our eyes on the goal. God is not looking for perfection. He’s looking for maturity.

How you move from one level to another, is fully dependent on you.

Stages of sonship:

• Nēpios – Infant/nappy position, one who cannot speak or give direction. They are born of God and have their inheritance positionally, but don’t have the  comprehension or engagement to get there. They are full of whining, complaining, crying and making childish, selfish demands. (1 Peter 2:2, Gal 4:1-7)
• Paidion – An advanced child just beginning to understand and learn the character and nature of their father (1 John 2:12-13, Matt 13)
• Teknon – They understand the truth of God. Knows sins are forgiven and able to live free from the guilt of sin and giving way for Grace.l. They begin to work actively in support of their Father’s kingdom. They start manifesting sonship (1 Peter 3:6). They truly know and are living in the hope of their inheritance.
• Neoniskos – They are excited about who they are and where they are going. They are still learning and bringing balance. They are strong and have vigour and can engage in Kingdom matters. They are willing and are at a stage where they can truly sacrifice for the Kingdom.
• Huios – A grown son who has come to a place of maturity in the way they engage with the voice of God and with every situation which comes their way. Obedience is what marks true maturity. They live in obedience and are a full representation of the Father.  (Luke 16). They have been tested and found to be faithful in small things and can be trusted with bigger things.

David and Moses were prepared in the bush tending sheep, UNTIL God found them ready to take the opportunity of leading their people.

What looks small and insignificant may actually be what is preparing you to move to the next stage. Stay the course and stay faithful (especially with that which is another man’s).

We must be faithful and responsible in all things, in giving and in receiving. What is ours is ours and we should endeavour to take it only when the time comes. For example, David could have killed Saul in the times when he had the opportunity and ascended to the throne, but he didn’t, instead waiting for God’s own appointed time and mechanics. We will be tested, but maturity dictates that we engage only on what God really requires of us as sons.

We are His sons and God enjoys engagement with us in our level of maturity, as he grows us to the next level.

Let us walk faithfully to fulfill God’s will for us. Let us walk in our place of maturity. Let us maximize the opportunities he’s giving us to move to the next level.