03/27/2025
This morning let’s take a look at how God calls us ever forward in our faith. We aren't meant to be stagnant creatures in faith, or in life generally, no, we are meant to be travelers along a way of faith that is taking us ever forward and increasing us in spirituality as we go.
“After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.”
Revelation 4:1 KJV
In Revelation John was called to "Come up hither" so that he could be shown what was yet to come, and in most of our lives we are called to "come up" in order to improve, or increase our character... and our faith. Pastor Oswald Chambers discussed this in my reading this morning and summarized it in this way...
"Growth in grace is measured not by the fact that you have gone back, but that you had an insight into where you are spiritually; you have heard God say "Come up higher," not to you personally, but to the insight of your character." - Oswald Character
I work for a large fortune 100 company, and like all large publicly traded corporations, standing still, in terms of business growth, is not acceptable. If a company isn't advancing, then it is in decline. Our characters and faith are very similar to this... when we think that where we are in faith is fine and we cease to grow, then our faith begins to suffer. When churches hold to where they are spiritually and stop listening for God to tell them the next thing to come, then they go into decline.
We see it best in the membership of our Churches; when they stop reaching out to new converts and deny their mission to spread the gospel, then the church population begins to age and after a number of years it withers until at last it dies out, or the church is merged with or sold to a more vibrant and growing constituency.
We aren't meant to sit on our faith, we are meant to grow continuously and forever. Like my example of the church and the corporation that must each grow and move forward to survive, we too must grow in order to maintain ourselves in our personal faith.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”
2 Peter 3:18 KJV
The Bible uses two metaphors over and over again; we are taught that life is a way, or road, that we are traveling, and our faith is also compared to a plant... a vine. In Colossians we see both of these images being presented simultaneously:
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.”
Colossians 2:6-7 KJV
So as we grow, and walk on in our faith, Jesus walks with us because he is the trunk from which we sprout and grow as branches.
I once did a study in which I attempted to trace the traveling of Jesus and determine how far he had walked in His short life. What I found was that He had walked enough miles that if you placed them in a straight line He would have circumnavigated the globe... if He had started walking in Jerusalem He would have returned there just in time for His crucifixion. Jesus was in constant motion, and He was traveling ever towards God's goal for His life on earth. We too should be traveling... traveling towards increased faith, and to achieve God's desire for our lives. If we keep growing and walking, we will not wither and die before God's will in our lives is realized.
So, as we travel our way of faith and life, God will be with us, leading us forward towards the next good destination He has prepared for our lives... and then beyond into eternity. I heard a sermon one Sunday in which the pastor spoke of suffering for years as he sought which way to go in life... well my friend, our ways in faith are not like earthly roads which crisscross the world and take people wherever their imaginations might lead them; no, they all have the same ultimate destination... Heaven. Although our spiritual roads might appear to be different, they are only so in the scenery we pass along the way... so it behooves us to listen for God’s voice and just start walking. We waste too much time trying to decide what path to take when in fact we could begin our journey of growing in faith and righteous character right now by travelling the road on which we are walking! Every path or way to God, heaven, and eternity begins in the same place… right where we are when the Lord says “go this way” or “Do this thing.”
Are we ready to go forth to an increased faith and righteous character in a land that God will show us just as He did Abraham? Or are we prepared to enter into the desert and wander for 40 years as Moses was led to do? Perhaps our road will be different, and we will be called to travel from place to place for a lifetime of ministry as Jesus was? Whatever we are told to do, or wherever we are directed to go, let’s look down at where we are standing right now and then listen for God’s voice as He directs us in how we are to take our next or first step. Let’s we walk beside Him and Jesus, or follow after them, towards the ultimate destination that all people of faith seek… God’s continued presence, His heavenly home, and eternity with Him.
“A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 KJV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for leading us in our lives and directing us in the steps we should take in faith. Father, we desire to grow in faith and knowledge of you as we experience each moment of every day. Lead us on Jesus as we walk together towards our a New Jerusalem and the will of God in our lives. Although we may need to rest for a night, never let us find too much pleasure in a place; keep us moving forward to new and higher experiences of righteousness, faith, and character. Give us your increase Lord, as we are always becoming more like Jesus... like You. In our journey let us grow; on the vine of Christ let us bear more fruit, but whether we are walking on in your way, or growing healthy and fruitful in your Son’s vine, let us always remain within your will for us. No matter the road we take, let us feel your hand upon our shoulder, and know that you are directing our steps and traveling with us... every faithful step of the way. We will praise your Holy Name as you guide us and prepare the road before us Father. Whether our path is hard, or the way is painful and rife with suffering, we know that the destination is good, that our spirits will prosper, and that your peace and joy awaits us. Great are you, and perfect is your will for us as we obey and follow after you. Hear our prayers and never let us become overly discouraged along the way. Never forsake us and always encourage us to lean on you in prayer when times are hard. Hear our instruments and voices, and celebrate with us, when we have accomplished those things that you have asked of us and are lifting you up in love, honor, and adoration. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who is with us always and grows us in our faith and spiritual character. Holy are you who transforms us through Christ Jesus as you prepare us for our destination… eternity with you in glory.
And all God’s travelers will say Amen, Amen, Amen!
“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me [Jesus]. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
John 14:1-3 ESV
“For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”
2 Corinthians 5:1 ESV
Rich Forbes