02/13/2021
We all begin our conversion into believers in Christ through our contrition, by the confession of our sins, and in asking Jesus for forgiveness, and to be our Lord and Savior. In this way we become children of God, and receive the gift of eternal life, but until we begin living, and behaving as Christ has taught us to do, we remain little children... members of the family, but nonetheless we are forever immature. Do you long to be more?
“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 ESV
There is a common saying that I have heard repeated often, and it goes like this, “You can talk the talk, but can you walk the walk?” This saying is reaffirming that someone might understand something, but is questioning whether they can actually do it. Years ago I ran into this in real life... I was a Systems Programmer working for a large company, and a position opened up for another person in my department. My boss interviewed several candidates and settled on a fellow that was teaching Systems Programming at a College nearby. This man knew all the terminology, theory, and technical reasoning behind the job, so my boss thought he would be a great fit. The only problem was that once this professor was in the job it became very obvious that although he knew what the job entailed... he couldn’t actually perform the work. Although we were willing to train him, he was unhappy, and returned to his old job of teaching, even though it was a skill that he couldn’t perform in real life. He could talk the talk, but couldn’t walk the walk. Many Christians do the same... they become comfortable being children of God, but never progress into maturity in their faith.
“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Philippians 4:9 ESV
In this verse Paul is speaking to the Philippians about the need to progress into spiritual maturity, and how they would be closer to God by doing so... he tells them that they will receive God’s peace.
Have you ever had something to do that you kept putting off? I have done this many times my life, and each time I do it, I get an uncomfortable feeling. I am never quite settled, or at peace, until I finally do whatever it is that I have been putting off. Have you experienced this in your life? How about in your faith? Has God shown you His will for you regarding something, and yet you kept procrastinating... putting off doing it, or not doing it at all? How did it make you feel? Were you at peace? Listen as Jesus tells His disciples to do as He has done regarding the washing of feet, and other things He has shown them...
“If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.”
John 13:17 ESV
There was a time in my life of faith when I was being called to witness to the world, but rather than saying “Here I am Lord!” I kept saying “I don’t know how to do that!”. I was dreaming dreams, and being shown signs, but I just didn’t know what to do with them. Then one day, after I had put off getting my car inspected until the very last day I was legally able to drive it, something amazing happened.
On my lunch hour I drove to the local inspection station expecting it to be incredibly crowded with others who had also waited. I was prepared to find cars lined up down the street, but there was no one there. So I pulled in, wondering if it were a holiday, and drove around back to the entrance. As I decided which of the three bays to pull into a young woman came out, removed the red cone that was blocking her bay, and flagged me in. This was all incredibly odd, and I felt like something was definitely out of kilter. Regardless, I pulled in and she walked up to my window where I gave her my car registration and the money for my inspection. She took it and turned to walk away, then turned back to me and asked “Are you a pastor or something?”, to which I responded that I wasn’t, so she turned away once again, only to turn back again and ask “Are you sure? Do you work at a church or something?” I said no again, and with a confused look on her face she said “I had a dream about you last night!” I just looked at her for a moment before reiterating that I was not a pastor, and she went on to inspect my car. In all the time I was there no other cars pulled into the inspection station, but as I drove out... here they came, and it finally began to sink in that something spiritually amazing was happening to me, and that this wasn’t a dream. Then, as I was driving back to work, and praying as I went, I looked up at the car in front of me, and there on the back window was a sticker of an Angel with spread wings that stretched from one side of the car to the other... that’s when the tears came and I said “Here am I Lord”. This is only the beginning, but what a beginning it was.
I am here to tell you that you are not meant to remain a child in your faith forever, and that God has amazing things planned for you too. It might not be to write a devotional that spans the globe every day, and it might just be to witness to a single soul, but it will be wonderful nonetheless, and the peace of God that Paul talked about will fill you.
“Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
1 Timothy 4:15-16 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the plan you have for each of our lives, and for the will that you have for us that contributes to your much greater will for all creation. Thank you for your Son Jesus Christ who teaches us how to walk as your children, how to listen for your voice, and how to obey you without hesitation. Help us to listen for you, and to see the signs and miracles you perform as you show us that what we see and hear are truth, and from you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you the Father of children destined for maturity in their faith. Praised be your name for every lesson that brings us closer to you, and increases us in our righteousness. Praised be your name for each lesson that is perfecting us, and making us to be more like Jesus. You are merciful Father, you forgive us our sins as we confess them, and give us life as we profess our belief in Christ. In this way we come to stand before you. We were sinners, and yet you sent your Son Jesus to redeem us by His blood, and through your grace, to be worthy of eternity in your presence. Hallowed be thy name, and let all glory be yours forever.
“My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”
Proverbs 4:20-23 ESV
Rich Forbes