Stage Four

Stage four involves receiving God’s instructions inwardly to think, act, and live more according to them. We commit our life and identity to live alongside God’s character and principles.

In the parable of the sower Jesus describes how the word needs fertile ground. Fertile ground takes in the seed and nourishes it. The nourishing and care for the seed brings it to life and produces fruit. If we are to do likewise with God’s instructions, then we will bring nourishment and care to abide in God’s character and principles. We will live by them in a way where we bring them to life and produce good fruit.

Stage Four is being ready to make a whole-hearted sincere reset of our priorities to grow with God as we did before or even more. As stated in the book Alcoholics Anonymous on page 63 “We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him.”

To bring nourishment to the word of God we need to be all in, with our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We need to continually live by it increasingly. 

Imperfectly grow toward that which is perfect

The Bible discusses turning, repenting, and falling away. Some make it back after falling away and some do not.

If we go a day without nourishing the word in our heart, mind, and soul it will not die or fade any more than we would. It may struggle a bit. We must be careful not to go too long though without nourishing, growing, learning, listening, and living with God. Our soul needs God’s goodness, character, righteousness, and grace. It feeds us. We need regular nourishment to maintain spiritual life. 

Romans 11:22 - 23 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again.

Notice the clause here; “Provided that you continue in his kindness.”

Since our growth with God will now be our top priority we will cling to God’s will and character more and more. Our mental grip upon God’s will and character will become tighter. Our actions will gradually become more aligned with it. Conversations about how we are walking according to God’s character will happen naturally.

As our thoughts can sometimes wander from the path we will be able to redirect ourselves back. At Stage Four we will know through experience the destructive affects from being off the path too long.

(See page 85 A.A. book)