Growing in our faith doesn't just happen. It requires deliberate effort.
Here are three important aspects of our growth:
1. We must cooperate with God.
Only God can change us, but we have a serious responsibility to seek Him and yield to His will:
Philippians 2:12-13: "Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
2. We must renew our minds.
Romans 12:2:
"Do not conform to the pattern of this
world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be
able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and
perfect will."
God's Word is an essential element in our renewal (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
3. We must turn from evil and do good.
Romans 8:12-13: "If you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live."
As James 1:22 says, we must do more than listen to the Word—we must obey it.
Are you making deliberate efforts in these areas of your faith? Why not make it a matter of prayer.
I was just doing a study of Philippians 3:19-21 and asking God to change me. Then I read this. He does answer. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad this devotion was a supplement and confirmation to what God has been teaching you, Michelle. I am reminding myself of this principle too.
DeleteGail : )
This was mentioned in Bible Study the other night...we have got to let the WORD change us. If we go to church, listen to sermon after sermon, go to Bible study and study lesson after lesson what's the use if we do not allow it to make a difference in our lives?
ReplyDeleteWithout growth without change we remain the same.....
Yes, Piper, I want to be growing and it's easy to slip into complacency if I'm not careful. I love that God has given us so many ways to draw closer to Him and become more like Him. : )
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