davidbowerkingwood

Works in Progress!

Last time we concluded with recognition that God has placed within every born again Christian the indwelling Holy Spirit as an everlasting gift. Receiving this truth gives a whole new depth of meaning to the verses in Romans 8 where Paul writes:

“28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.”

God is very serious about this process of conforming Christ’s brothers and sisters to the image of his Son; for the Holy Spirit to be joined with each of them individually is a huge step in this process of conformity! The fact that this is not discernible by our physical senses in no way diminishes the enormity of this reality; this is also a step of faith just as was our salvation in Jesus Christ.

Imagine how you would think and act if the spiritual reality of the incarnation of the Holy Spirit in your life would affect the way you saw yourself and the world. Paul mentions this in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 where it is written:

“19 Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”

What would it be like for you to make those words the foundation on which you built your life?

Perfection Must Wait

We all have a dream of living a holy life unencumbered by sin but that must wait. How often I get letters from all over the world where Christian men and women express their desires to be free of this plague of sin. Sadly I must tell them we will not be free of sin as long as we inhabit these mortal bodies.

We live on a sin-cursed world that is under the control of Satan and, in addition, are tormented by a nature to sin that we inherited from Adam. We are soldiers who must live out our lives on a spiritual battlefield in complete dependence on the armor of God to protect us from attack.

In His grace, God has provided the help we need to prevail but we must utilize the armor God has provided if we are to resist the attacks of the dark forces of this world. I have written on this in the series, To the Soldiers in the Spiritual War.

The Bible does not reveal the reason God chose to use this plan but my personal experience has taught me a lot. I have learned how harmful sin can be and have learned to despise sin in myself, in others and in the world. I have come to long for the Lord’s complete rule and reign in my life and anticipate His return with great hope and joy. I too must still struggle with sin (keeping in mind that everything that is not of faith is sin) but rejoice in God’s forgiveness and the sure promise of His return!

While we Wait

Although the Bible does not reveal God’s plan for each individual life it does reveal God’s plan for us as Christian’s; we have a commission and an attitude revealed that we are told to follow.

The commission is given in Matthew 28:19-20

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

The attitude is given in Philippians 4:4-9

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.9 Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.”