Je, Unatumia Maarifa Yako Vizuri?

Katika 2 Timotheo 2:16 mtume Paulo anatuhimiza -- "Jifunze ili kujionyesha kuwa umekubaliwa na Mungu." Inamaanisha nini hasa kujifunza ili kupata kibali cha Mungu? Je, kweli ni muhimu kwetu kujifunza? Ikiwa ndivyo, tunajifunzaje ili kupata kibali Chake?

In 2 Timothy 2:16 the Apostle Paul exhorts us -- “Study to show yourself approved unto God.” Just what does it mean to study so as to be approved by God? Is it truly necessary for us to study? If so, how do we study so as to obtain His approval?

Mtume Paulo pia alisema “ya kwamba imempasa mtu wa Mungu kuwa amekamilishwa apate kutenda kila tendo jema” (2 Tim, 3:17). Alimaanisha nini? Na muhimu zaidi -- wewe na mimi tunafanya nini kuhusu hilo?

The Apostle Paul also said “that the man of God must be thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim, 3:17). What did he mean? And more importantly -- what are you and I doing about it?

Karibu katika Nyaraka zake zote, Mtume Paulo anasisitiza haja ya Wakristo kukua katika Kristo - kukomaa. Alisisitiza kwamba hakuna mfuasi wa kweli wa Yesu, hakuna mwongofu wa kweli wa Injili, anayebaki mtoto mchanga katika Kristo. Mtoto mchanga katika Kristo ni nini? Mtoto mchanga katika Kristo ni mwanzilishi; mtu ambaye ana kanuni za kwanza tu za Injili na hivyo ana imani ambayo bado haijaota mizizi. Yeye ni kama mtoto ambaye labda anajua alfabeti yake na anaweza kuhesabu lakini bado hawezi kuandika sentensi au kufanya matatizo ya hisabati. Anayeanza -- mwenye ujuzi mdogo tu wa Neno la Mungu -- mara nyingi ni dhaifu, dhaifu, na hana nguvu.

In almost all of his Epistles, the Apostle Paul stresses the need for Christians to grow up in Christ – to mature. He insisted that no true follower of Jesus, no true convert to the Gospel, remains a babe in Christ. What is a babe in Christ? A babe in Christ is a beginner; one who has only the first principles of the Gospel and as such has a faith that has not yet grown deep roots. He is like a child who perhaps knows his alphabet and can count but is not yet able to write sentences or do mathematical problems. A beginner -- with only a little knowledge of God’s Word -- is often vulnerable, weak, and powerless.

Mtume Paulo anakazia kwa nguvu uhitaji wa kila Mkristo kutobaki mtoto mchanga wa kiroho maisha yake yote; bali kwa ujasiri na upesi kuendelea zaidi ya kanuni hizi rahisi, tukiendelea kuelekea ukamilifu wa kiroho au ukomavu. Kwa kuwa watoto hawana meno, lazima walishwe maziwa; lakini meno yao yanapoota basi wawe wanakula vyakula vigumu, hata nyama ambayo ni lazima itafunwa, ili wakue na kuwa na nguvu.

The Apostle Paul forcefully emphasizes the need for every Christian not to remain a spiritual babe all his life; but rather to boldly and quickly proceed beyond these simple principles, going on towards spiritual perfection or maturity. Since babies have no teeth, they must be fed milk; but when their teeth are grown then they should be eating solid foods, even meat which must be chewed, so that they can grow healthy and become strong.

Tukitumia kanuni hii katika maisha yetu wenyewe ya kiroho, twasoma katika Waebrania 5:13-14 na 6:1 : “Kwa maana kila mtu atumiaye maziwa hana ujuzi wa neno la haki, kwa kuwa ni mtoto mchanga. Lakini chakula kigumu ni cha watu wazima, yaani, wale ambao kwa kutumiwa, akili zao zimezoezwa kupambanua mema na mabaya. Kwa hiyo, tukiacha majadiliano ya kanuni za kwanza za Kristo, na tusonge mbele kwa utimilifu…”

Applying this principle to our own spiritual life, we read in Hebrews 5:13-14 and 6:1: “For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the first principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection …”

Pia anasisitiza kwamba wote lazima wafikie “umoja wa imani na wa kumfahamu sana Mwana wa Mungu, hata kuwa mtu mkamilifu, hata kufika kwenye cheo cha kimo cha utimilifu wa Kristo” (Efe. 4:13). Kwa maneno haya Mtume anatuambia ni lazima tukue kuelekea ukamilifu. Kukua hakika sio kusimama. Je, tunakuaje? Mola wetu ametupa jibu kamili la swali hili kwa maneno ambayo tumeyajua kwa miaka mingi; lakini labda hatujawapa mawazo mengi jinsi tunavyopaswa kuwa nayo. Utapata maneno haya katika Mt. 4:4: “…Mtu hataishi kwa mkate tu, ila kwa kila neno litokalo katika kinywa cha Mungu.” Hapa kwa maneno machache, Bwana anatupa maagizo kamili ya kugeukia Neno la Mungu -- Biblia, na kuruhusu kila neno kutoka katika kinywa cha Mungu, liongoze maisha yetu kwa kutufundisha kile anachohitaji kutoka kwetu.

He also insists that all must come to a “unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). With these words the Apostle is telling us we must grow toward perfection. To grow is surely not to stand still. How do we grow? Our Lord has given us the perfect answer to this question with words that we have known for years; but perhaps we have not given them as much thought as we should have. You will find these words in Matt. 4:4: “…Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Here in a few words, the Lord is giving us full instructions to turn to God’s Word -- the Bible, and let every word from that which has come from the mouth of God, direct our lives by teaching us what He requires of us.

Tunaweza kusoma Biblia, lakini kuisoma tu haitoshi; ni lazima tujifunze na kutafakari juu yake, na hata zaidi ya haya tunapaswa kutumia mambo haya katika maisha yetu. Inaonekana rahisi, lakini kuitumia vizuri wakati mwingine ni ngumu sana. Paulo anatuambia wazi kwamba kushika tu kanuni za mafundisho ya Kristo kwa akili zetu haitoshi. Je, ujuzi pekee ndio utakaotuokoa? La, badala ya kutuokoa, ujuzi pekee unaweza kutuangamiza. Hii inawezaje kuwa, unauliza? Naam, maarifa pekee yanaweza kutupa kichwa kwa kutufanya tuwe na kiburi na majivuno. Ujuzi pekee unaweza kutufanya tuchukue mtazamo wa kujua yote na kutufanya tujihisi kuwa bora kuliko wengine na kuwadharau wale wanaojua kidogo kuliko sisi. Ndiyo, maarifa pekee, Paulo alisema katika 1 Kor. 8:1: “hujivuna.”

We can read the Bible, but just reading it is not enough; we must study and meditate on it, and even more than this we must apply these things in our lives. Sounds simple, but to apply it properly is sometimes quite difficult. Paul clearly tells us that just grasping the principles of the doctrine of Christ with our mind is not enough. Will knowledge alone save us? No, rather than save us, knowledge alone can destroy us. How can this be, you ask? Well, knowledge alone can give a swelled head by making us proud and boastful. Knowledge alone can make us take on the attitude of a know it all and can make us feel superior to others and look down on those who know less than we do. Yes, knowledge alone, Paul said in 1 Cor. 8:1: “puffs up.”

Ingawa maarifa yanaweza kuwa mazuri na ya thamani, lakini yenyewe -- yanapokusanywa ili kukuza hisia ya ubora - humfanya mtu kuwa mtupu kiakili na hivyo kukosa maana kwa Mungu. Kiburi kiko juu ya orodha 2 ya kile ambacho Mungu anachukia. Kwa upande mwingine, unyenyekevu ni sifa nzuri inayompendeza Mungu kikweli. Imeandikwa, “Mungu huwapinga wajikuzao, bali huwapa neema wanyenyekevu” (Yak. 4:6). Kwa hiyo, “Kila mtu ajikwezaye, atadhiliwa; na ye yote atakayejidhili atakwezwa” (Mt. 23:12).

While knowledge can be good and valuable, but by itself -- when it is accumulated to boost a sense of superiority -- it causes one to become intellectually vain and thus useless to God. Pride is at the top of the 2 list of what God hates. On the other hand, humility is a virtue that truly pleases God. It is written, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” ( Jas. 4:6). Therefore, “Whoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (Matt. 23:12).

Angalia pia kile ambacho Yakobo 4:17 husema, “Kwa hiyo, kwake yeye ajuaye kutenda mema (ajuaye kweli na njia za Mungu) na asifanye, kwake huyo ni dhambi.”

Note also what James 4:17 says, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good (knows God’s truth and ways) and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

Ikiwa tumeelewa ukweli huu muhimu, tunapaswa kujiuliza kwa uzito: Tunafanya nini kuhusu kile tunachojua? Je, tunafanya nini na maarifa ambayo Mungu ametufunulia kwa Neno Lake? Je, tunaifanyia mazoezi au tunasoma tu na kusahau kuiweka katika vitendo? Tunaweza kuuliza swali lingine -- Kwa nini tunajifunza Biblia kwanza? Je, ni ili tuweze kutumia kile tunachojifunza kutusaidia kukua zaidi na zaidi kama Kristo Yesu siku baada ya siku? Je, tumejiandaa kwenda zaidi ya kanuni za msingi za imani ya Kikristo na kutumia Biblia katika maisha yetu ili kutusaidia, kwa uwezo wa Roho Mtakatifu, kufikia ukamilifu?

If we have grasped this important truth, we should seriously ask ourselves: What are we doing about what we know? What are we doing with the knowledge God has revealed to us by His Word? Are we practicing it or merely reading and then forgetting to put it into practice? We might ask another question -- Why do we study the Bible in the first place? Is it so we can use what we learn to help us grow more and more like Christ Jesus day by day? Are we prepared to go beyond the basic tenets of the Christian faith and use the Bible in our lives to help us, with the power of the Holy Spirit, to attain perfection?

Je, inawezekana kufikia ukamilifu wa kiroho katika maisha haya ya sasa? Kwa kushangaza - inawezekana. Je, Yesu katika Mathayo 5:48 hakutuhimiza hivi: “Basi iweni wakamilifu, kama Baba yenu aliye mbinguni alivyo mkamilifu.” Je, Mola wetu angetuhimiza tuwe wakamilifu (waliokomaa kikamilifu) ikiwa haiwezekani? Katika Yohana 17:23 Yesu alisema tena, “…. ili wawe wamekamilika katika umoja, na ulimwengu ujue ya kuwa ndiwe uliyenituma, na kuwapenda wao kama ulivyonipenda mimi.” Katika 1 Kor. 2:6 Paulo asema, “… tunanena katika Kristo lazima tufikiwe na kudumishwa.

Is it possible to attain spiritual perfection in this present life? Surprisingly -- it is possible. Didn’t Jesus in Matthew 5:48 exhorts us: “Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Would our Lord exhort us to be perfect (fully mature) if it was impossible? In John 17:23 Jesus again said, “…. that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent me, and have loved them as You have loved me.” In 1 Cor. 2:6 Paul says, “… we speak in Christ must be reached and maintained.

Huenda umesoma vitabu vingi katika maisha yako na baada ya kuvisoma, ukaviweka kando na kuvisahau vyote. Biblia si kitabu cha namna hiyo. Si kama kitabu cha kiada ambacho kimekusudiwa kuzama katika akili lakini hakifanyi chochote kubadilisha au kufinyanga maisha na tabia yako, kiadili na kiroho. Unauliza: Ninawezaje kujua na kuelewa Biblia ili iwe na matokeo hayo maishani mwangu?

You may have read many books in your lifetime and after reading them, you put them away and forget all about them. The Bible is not that kind of book. It is not like a textbook that is meant to be absorbed in the mind but does nothing to change or mold your life and character, both morally and spiritually. You ask: How can I come to know and understand the Bible so that it will have this effect in my life?

Mfalme Daudi alikuwa na jibu la swali kama hilo katika Zaburi 111:10 : “Wana ufahamu mwema wale wazishikao amri zake.” Ndiyo, Mungu hututazamia tutende kupatana na yale tunayojifunza katika Neno Lake, na tunapotenda kulingana nayo, tutazidi kulielewa vizuri zaidi na zaidi.

King David had the answer to such a question in Psalm 111:10: “A good understanding has they that do (obey) His commandments.” Yes, God expects us to act on what we learn in His Word, and as we act upon it, we will grow in a better understanding of it more and more.

Mtume Yakobo anatupa ushauri mzuri katika waraka wake, sura ya 1 na mistari ya 22-25: “Lakini iweni watendaji wa neno, wala si wasikiaji tu, hali mkijidanganya nafsi zenu. Maana mtu akiwa ni msikiaji wa neno wala si mtendaji, huyo ni kama mtu anayejitazama uso wake wa asili katika kioo; kwa maana hujiangalia, huenda zake, na mara husahau alikuwa mtu wa namna gani. Bali yeye aitazamaye sheria kamilifu iliyo ya uhuru, na kukaa humo, asiwe msikiaji msahaulifu, bali mtendaji wa kazi, huyo atakuwa heri katika kutenda kwake.”

The Apostle James gives us good advice in his epistle, chapter 1 and verses 22-25: “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

G. Boccaccio © CDMI