Living an Eternal Life Now Part 4: Developing Spiritual Maturity

Since you have been born again (1Peter 1:22-2:3)

                Biblical Christianity is unique in its approach to personal righteousness. Its uniqueness lies primarily in the means by which a believer is made righteous. The previous passage encouraged believers to prepare their minds for action by focusing on the value of the gospel. The truth of the gospel is that Jesus came to save us by taking our sins upon himself and dying on the cross in our place. He was then buried and was raised on the third day as promised in the Scriptures. The good news is that all who believe in him will be saved. The appropriate response to the good news is to believe that Jesus Christ has paid for your sins and to submit to his authority as Lord of your life. Salvation results in a genuine response to the truth revealed by God that results in a change in your personal focus. It is an event that has lasting consequences and can never be reversed. It is an encounter with God that transforms the soul and cleanses the heart. A purified soul is necessary before you can ever hope to have the opportunity to love and serve God. The problem is that although people are cleansed and forgiven at the moment of salvation they are not mature.  This spiritual immaturity limits our ability to love God and others. How can we grow spiritually and learn to love deeply and genuinely?

Living an Eternal Life Now Part 3: Preparing Your Mind for Action

Place your hope on grace (1Peter 1:13-21)

                The decision to be a follower of Christ is something that has to be taken seriously. More damage has been done by those who call themselves Christians and betray the very Lord by whom they claim to be saved than by any other false religion. I have heard testimonies of people who thought they had a vibrant relationship with God under the health, wealth, and prosperity movement until they got sick, lost loved ones to illness, or lost their homes. The failure to place their hope on the true gospel resulted in a shipwreck of faith and contempt for God. The reality is that they were hoping for things that were never guaranteed. God has promised a living hope and an eternal inheritance (1Peter 1:3-4) and has called us by his Holy Scriptures to a genuine faith that results in salvation (1Peter 1:7, 9). He has become a heavenly Father to those who believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Because of this we have a relationship with him that needs to be nurtured. This relationship comes with responsibilities that are not optional. What must you consider if you are to be a serious follower of Christ?

Contentment vs. Complacency

                 I challenged my family to learn to be content with the challenges and conditions God places them in. Jude 5-7 came to mind as a warning given to all who rebelled against God’s provision and the terrible consequences that will follow. This passage should challenge every person because it points out that unbelief leads to dissatisfaction resulting in rebellion against God himself. Faith, on the other hand, leads to contentment and submission to God’s will as he provides and leads us so we may accomplish great things for the sake of his kingdom and for his glory.

                When we feel dissatisfied we are forgetting God’s sovereignty. We become complacent when we forget his promises and blessings. The Bible says we are supposed to be zealous for good works (Titus 2:14). Clearly, ambition is not the problem. The problem is when we let ourselves be deceived into thinking that anything or anyone besides God deserves to direct our ambition. The fine line between contentment and complacency is drawn by our submission to God.