The headline reads: “Man Lives in a Tree after Fight with His Wife—50 Years Ago!” In a published article by Freddy Fritz I read the story of Gayadhar Parida. It turns out that Gayadhar Parida of India, who is now 83-years old, has spent the last 50 years of his life living in a tree house. He has repeatedly turned down pleas by his wife and children to return home. Parida’s wife said: “We quarreled over a tiny issue and that is why he left me and promised not to live with me and return home until his death. I have tried a lot and forced him to come back, but he has refused all the time.” Parida’s strange home is a makeshift shed in a tree, located about half a mile from his actual house. For many years Parida lived in a mango tree, but was forced to move to his new tree after his old tree collapsed in a storm.
Now, one might wonder, what in the world does Gayadhar Parida hope to accomplish by living in a tree house? Parida claims that the unusual lifestyle has helped in his spiritual growth and in overcoming tensions after the estrangement with his wife. I don’t think that Parida’s approach is working, do you? But how does one grow spiritually?
There is a sense in which we all think the title to this article for the Communicator is really a paradox. After all an adult is already grown, so why do we say “growing?” When we make profession of faith often we feel that we are done growing. We’ve learned enough of the Heidelberg Catechism to pass the exam by the Council, and no more growth is necessary. Sure, church attendance is necessary to keep my spiritual batteries charged, but once the profession of faith exam is successfully passed, further growth is no longer necessary or expected.
But the Apostle Peter would disagree—and so would I. Growing in knowledge and grace is part of the process of sanctification—and sanctification is a life-long process. The Apostle Peter says in 2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.” These are Peter’s last words in his second epistle. He has spent several verses warning his listeners about false teaching that will confront them in the last days. Peter concludes the matter by reminding us that we must grow in grace in knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice that Peter is assuming what many of us do not assume! He assumes that we need to continue to grow—even as adults. Growth is a command for the Christ-follower, not an option. The Greek word means "be constantly growing." Peter is saying, “Never stop growing as a Christian.”
If you haven’t conquered anger yet - set your goals on growing in that area. If jealousy, bitterness, laziness, gossip, etc., haven’t been put away - commit yourself to grow in the area(s) of your weakness. Every Christian has room for improvement. Even more importantly, every Christian is duty-bound to know God more intimately. And we can do so in several ways—one of which is the Adult Education class at First Byron CRC.
The Apostle Peter knew about growth. In the gospel narrative of the life of Jesus no Christ-follower’s progress is documented more closely than that of Simon Peter - a pebble (Simon) that would be transformed into a rock (Cephas, or Peter) by the power of Christ (John 1:42). When we read about Peter in the Gospels we find a very different person than the Peter of 1 & 2 Peter. Truly he had experienced what he is encouraging you and me to experience—growth in grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Our Adult Education program at Byron First CRC is blessed with great teachers and topics. In January Dr. Dean Deppe taught us how to see God’s Mission in the four Gospels. It was very enlightening. I am planning to use some of his teaching in my teaching in Asia. In February Dr. Carl Bosma taught us how to read Amos, Ezekiel and Hosea. We have other very interesting lessons from professors from Calvin College and Seminary and from our denominational leaders. Our average attendance is 25 to 30 adults on Sundays. I believe this is far too few from a church our size. Many more of you could take advantage of this opportunity to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Adult Education is almost over for this season. I would encourage you to seriously consider our Adult Education program when it resumes in the Fall.
Ken Van De Griend Pastor of Congregational Care