Donnels Creek Church of the Brethren
Understanding the Christian Walk
Do you feel that your life in Jesus Christ isn’t going anywhere? Are you discouraged because you feel like you aren’t growing? Are you on a dry plateau? Do you want to understand what is happening in your spiritual life?
We will try to understand this in light of God’s Truth. I will be sharing the Word of GOD from the Amplified Bible tonight.
Let’s begin by establishing a basic truth:
John 10:10 The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy.
I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in
abundance.
This abundant life was what Jesus came to provide for us.
Question #1 - Have you ever wondered about that? Why does it seem like we do not have abundant life at times?
Can we find anywhere in Scripture that can give us any insight about this?
Let’s look into the book of Ephesians, chapter 4
Eph 4:11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave
men to us] some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists,
some pastors and teachers.
Eph 4:12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints, that they should do the work of ministering toward building up Christ’s body (the Church),
Eph 4:13 [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the
faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate]
knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really
mature manhood, the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ and the completeness found in Him.
Eph 4:14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead.
Eph 4:15 Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way and in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ.
Question #2 – Do you notice something about what this passage of Scripture is saying to us?
I’d like to suggest three things that God is telling us:
1. A right relationship between Jesus Christ and the believer
issues in the fullness of life.
2. The fullness of life does not come suddenly to the believer,
but evolves gradually with time.
3. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, He roots out those things which hinder the emergence of a full life.
The abundant life, or fullness of life, is promised by Jesus. We can bank on that, because Jesus is Truth.
He sent people with special abilities to help us learn and grow. Doesn’t that tell us that this abundant life doesn’t happen overnight?
In Philippians 1 God shares more of this truth with us.
Phi 1:6 I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ, developing and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Do you see it? God is doing a work in Believers. The Holy Spirit is going to continue that work until the day of Jesus Christ.
Someone has said that God loves us and accepts us into His kingdom just the way we are, but HE loves us too much to leave us the way we were. Have you heard this before?
Again, as we look into the wonderful Word of God, in 2 Corinthians 3
2Cor 3:18 And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued
to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror, the glory of the
Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image
in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to
another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.
We have seen that God is doing a work in us. He is gradually changing us. It’s not overnight. It’s a process that we go through. A labor of love from our heavenly Father.
Let’s look again into God’s Word for more:
Phi 2:12 Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my
suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ).
Phi 2:13 [Not in your own strength] for it is God Who is all the while
effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and delight.
Notice it is not in your own strength that these changes are taking place. It is the power of God making it happen.
Question #3 - What is our part in this process? Do we have to do anything?
I’d like to answer that question with another question.
Have you ever thought of doing something, realized it was wrong to do it… and did it anyway?
There lies the answer. God will make the needed changes, but we can make ourselves miserable by fighting against the Holy Spirit. HE lets us know when something is wrong. Have you noticed it?
We are not supposed to quench the Holy Spirit. Look again into the Word of God:
Eph 4:30 And do not quench the Holy Spirit of God [do not offend or
vex or sadden Him], by Whom you were sealed (marked, branded as God’s own, secured) for the day of redemption (of final deliverance through Christ from evil and the consequences of sin).
When the Holy Spirit of God urges you about something, listen to Him. Be obedient. HE is helping us to do the right things.
If we don’t listen, we place ourselves in the way of temptation and perhaps even give in to sin. The result is the consequences of that sin along with guilt and shame. We also harden our hearts so that the Holy Spirit has a harder time getting our attention.
We then find ourselves unhappy and without the joy of the Lord in our lives. We get depressed, angry & we get touchy about our faith.
If we feel like that, can we help a soul who wants to find eternal life? Can we help someone who has difficult problems to deal with?
If you feel like this, please look into the epistle of 1 John, chapter one:
1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our
sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and
promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness]
and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness
[everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought
and action].
I invite all who are willing, to pray and confess any sins to our heavenly Father. He will forgive, cleanse and help you to start fresh and clean again.
Let us give ourselves to seeking godliness and obedience. It may not sound glamorous but it can give you peace, joy and love in your hearts. It will also allow others to see Jesus Christ in your life. Many will come to you for help if they can see Jesus in your life.
Do you want to help others?
This is what the Christian walk is all about. It’s about becoming a servant to your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. It’s about growing spiritually as the Spirit of the Lord gives you the power and desire to be obedient to the Word of God.
Age has nothing to do with this progress. Your progress has to do with spiritual maturity. We have all met young people and older people who are so sweet in spirit.
I urge you today, to become a co-worker with God as He makes the needed changes in you. Spiritual growth can come quickly when you choose to work with God.
Do not get discouraged about your spiritual growth. Stay in God’s Word and prayer. You will grow. Let us pray for and encourage each other to accomplish this as well.
Thank you for sharing with me today, the precious Word of God.
May God bless you abundantly.
Bible study by: InAwe
