BIBLE PASSAGE:
“….being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you
will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 1:6)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever thought about what happened when you first gave your
life to the Lord? Your life changed at that point because the Lord started
working in your life, as you become a representative of Jesus to the world.
That means you had a lot to learn about being an agent of the Lord and
you needed to be purged of unrighteousness and filled with righteousness.
Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm,
sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those
who are His,” and, “Everyone who confesses the
Name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”
(2 Timothy 2:19)
That’s why the Lord began a sanctification process in you. You didn’t
have to sign up for it, or complete some qualifications to earn it, it is a
free gift from the Lord that you received (along with the Holy Spirit and
at least one spiritual gift) when you committed to following Jesus.
As agents of the Lord, we must learn the secret of winning daily victories
over sin. Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion.
It is a daily process of growing to become more like Jesus, the one we have
chosen to follow and are now representing.
We start out as a baby in Christ and we must be fed on the simple things
of the Bible. We learn to walk in our Christian life gradually. At first, we
will have failures and make mistakes, but we shouldn’t be discouraged as
long as we continue to grow.
Sadly, some commit to following Jesus but fail to grow in their relationship
with Him. They remain spiritual babies all their lives. But that’s not what
the Lord wants for those who belong to Him. He wants to give us new
purpose for our lives and He is there to help us mature in that purpose.
Those who fail to invite Him into their lives and yield to His will,
continue floundering through life and miss out on the blessings He
has for them. They’ll miss out on a new and exciting life of serving
the Lord. It will be a struggle within themselves because they are
trying to remain in control, and that prevents the Lord from His
work in them.
We may ask the question,
“When will I reach total maturity?”
According to the scriptures, His work will not be completed in us
until we end our life’s journey and go to live with Him in eternity.
It’s important for every believer to continue growing and that means
we must allow the Lord to continue His work in and through us.
ACTION:
Questions to consider:
– Have I had a real encounter with the Lord and received salvation?
– Have I surrendered to His will over my will?
– Am I still trying to chart my own course, or have I surrendered
completely and am now following His path for me?
– Am I a true follower of Jesus, or
am I a FINO (Follower In Name Only)?
Before we were born, God had a purpose in mind for every one
of His creations. Imagine that…our Creator has a divine purpose
for you and me; it’s up to us to choose to follow His plan and His
purpose for our lives.
For You created my inmost being;
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
(Psalm 139:13)
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.
(Romans 8:28)
Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same
lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some
for common use?
(Romans 9:21)
Now the One who has fashioned us for this very purpose is
God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing
what is to come.
(2 Corinthians 5:5)
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according
to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with
the purpose of His will
(Ephesians 1:11)
for it is God who works in you to will
and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.
(Philippians 2:13)
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver,
but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and
some for common use. Those who cleanse themselves from
the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy,
useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
(2 Timothy 2:20-21)
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you
were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to
the nations.”
(Jeremiah 1:5)
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I fall so many times, but You lovingly lift me
up and give me Your strength to endure. Forgive me if I have
failed to allow You to begin a good work in me. Remind me of
the value of yielding to Your control for my life. Help me refuse
to be stagnant, and instead choose to allow You full control to
work in my life and mature me as a follower of Jesus. Help me
to find Your purpose for my life, to embrace it, and to diligently
pursue it using the spiritual gift You have given me. Create in
me a desire to relinquish my own will and follow Your will and
plan for my life.”
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