07/07/2023
Am I working hard enough and practicing my faith with enough diligence and dedication to, at last, be called a mature son of God? Is my faith increasing, and my everyday life reflecting that increase by exhibiting the characteristics of Jesus? Life doesn't grow easier for the Christian but it does grow more certain.
“but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.”
Luke 20:35-36 ESV
My grandfather Holyfield played almost any instrument; he was a farmer, but music was very important to him, and he would stand on the back of wagons to play and sing at harvest time, and on other occasions. None of his children played a musical instrument, but it was always my mother's desire that I should play one. As we moved around the country and the world, I was enrolled in piano lessons, but in the seven years I took lessons I never really learned to play. I have told many people that I took one year of piano... seven times.
The secret to mastering any musical instrument is practice, and either great dedication, or a love that draws you to play it without ceasing. I never achieved that level of dedication, and the love of playing was smacked out of my hands by German piano teachers wielding rulers and sticks in time with the metronome... long before it became rooted in me. All of this was much to my mother's chagrin. Our faith requires that same dedication, practice, and love as well, and as I think back on my good instruction I wonder how many have been turned from away from the love of God by ruler wielding men and women of the faith who punish them for every little mistake.
Knowing God, Jesus, and obtaining a mediocre amount of faith is something all of us can do. It is like sitting down at a piano and learning to play chopsticks. However, what God desires of us is much more than this... He wants us to play with the ability of a Bach, Beethoven, or one of the other great masters; He wants us to not only play, but to hear the music of faith in ourselves to the point at which it flows from us in sheets of previously unheard beauty. One year of faith performed seven years in a row is not what he has planned for us; it is as much a disappointment to Him as my mother's dismay in my piano playing... even more so, but in truth… if this is as far as we go… it is enough.
“”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Jon 3:16-17 ESV
Achieving the initial faith necessary to be identified with Jesus and given eternal life is something that comes with our first profession of faith, but our becoming a mature son or daughter of God comes with a great deal of effort. Christians are not exempted from the hardships of life... we just approach them in a much different manner than unbelievers by receiving God's help as we continue to seek Him.
“And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!””
Mark 9:23-24 ESV
The practice of failing, forgiveness, and attempting again... and again, eventually perfects us, and once it does, then it is on to a harder piece of faith to play; a new lesson in believing.
“"Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”
Matthew 7:13-14 ESV
As I read my devotional this morning, I was encouraged in my quest for greater faith by something that Oswald Chambers wrote. He spoke of the nobility of serving Jesus, and the hardship of obtaining faith in great measure. Let's read this short excerpt from his writing...
"Jesus is bringing many "sons" into glory, and God will not shield us from the requirements of a son. God's grace turns out men and women with a strong family likeness to Jesus Christ, not milksops. It takes a tremendous amount of discipline to live the noble life of a disciple of Jesus in actual things. It is always necessary to make an effort to be noble." - Oswald Chambers
Today I question the effort I put forth in my attempt to pass through the narrow gate of life. Are the hardships that life presents helping to perfect me, or are they making me distraught and destroying my desire to trust all the more in my belief in God? Am I repeating the same lesson of faith over and over again, throwing in the towel, or am I putting forth the effort required to make me ready for sonship? The trials grow increasingly more challenging, but the rewards and suffering do as well... am I up to the challenge? Will I accept the help and love of God as I walk through my own personal passion to the cross that perfects me? I pray for angels to strengthen me, and the Holy Spirit to help me in my pursuit of faith and belief.
“But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Luke 12:48 ESV
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for the hard road that leads me to you. I thank you for each lesson I am learning along the way, as it brings me closer to the image of Jesus... and to you. I lean on you Lord, and cry out when I am about to fall; "Help Me Father!" Your hand is sure, and as I stumble along you catch me, or lift me up each time I fall. You perfect me in my hardships, failures, and shortcomings. As I practice my faith each day, my love for you becomes fuller, and the narrow gate ahead seems a bit wider. Jesus, and Holy Spirit, you are my teachers, my instructors, and one day we will sit together and make the music of righteousness for the pleasure of our Father. Strengthen me and keep my focus on the gate ahead. Never let the lessons overwhelm me, nor the ruler that raps my knuckles dissuade me, from achieving the faith I am seeking with all my heart. Sit beside me Lord and encourage me as I practice the melodies of your kingdom to perfection with you.
“And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Ephesians 5:18-20 ESV
Rich Forbes