Good morning -
Carpenters and contractors begin construction with the expectation that they will complete it. You don't see partially-built homes left to deteriorate because the builder decided they weren't worth completing. Flaws and defects are fixed along the way rather than abandoning the entire project.
We are a work in progress, and we need not fear that we'll be abandoned because of our many faults and flaws:
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
The solid work ethic that characterized my parent's generation was "a job worth doing is worth doing well" and "finish what you start". Thankfully, this is God's work ethic as well: that which He begins He brings to completion, and that which He does He does well.
My Christian life has at times been characterized by missteps and mistakes, as has every believer's life. At such times I've questioned the value of my life and the value of the Lord's investment in me. I'm delighted that the Lord never has nor ever will take that perspective. Whatever effort is needed to bring you and I to perfection never outweighs the value of the results.
A course has been plotted that will ultimately lead us to the Kingdom of God on the day of Christ Jesus. If the course could be represented by a line it might look something like the gains and losses of the stock market - ups and downs but a gradual increase. Amidst the advances and setbacks of our walk with the Lord is the gradual advance in maturity and Christ likeness.
The Lord's steady internal work in our lives is more comparable to a car's cruise control than an aircraft's autopilot. We can't just sit back and let His Spirit do all the work; we've got to cooperate like we do with our car's cruise control. Bible reading and study, the practice of prayer and discipline, and active participation in the body of Christ are all cooperative efforts with the Spirit of God. In fact, if we've surrendered to the Lord's internal good work we'll be led more deeply and consistently in these areas. His internal work will always manifest itself in fruit consistent with the Spirit.
The Lord's good work within is designed to lead to His good work within the lives of others. I'm certain that He eagerly desires to manifest a desire within each of us to move the good news of the Kingdom and the name of Jesus out into the world and into more lives. How he accomplishes that is as varied as our personalities.
May confidence in the Lord's work in your life encourage you today as well as inspire you to aspire to all that He wants to do in and through you.
Pastor Steve
Carpenters and contractors begin construction with the expectation that they will complete it. You don't see partially-built homes left to deteriorate because the builder decided they weren't worth completing. Flaws and defects are fixed along the way rather than abandoning the entire project.
We are a work in progress, and we need not fear that we'll be abandoned because of our many faults and flaws:
"For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus." (Philippians 1:6)
The solid work ethic that characterized my parent's generation was "a job worth doing is worth doing well" and "finish what you start". Thankfully, this is God's work ethic as well: that which He begins He brings to completion, and that which He does He does well.
My Christian life has at times been characterized by missteps and mistakes, as has every believer's life. At such times I've questioned the value of my life and the value of the Lord's investment in me. I'm delighted that the Lord never has nor ever will take that perspective. Whatever effort is needed to bring you and I to perfection never outweighs the value of the results.
A course has been plotted that will ultimately lead us to the Kingdom of God on the day of Christ Jesus. If the course could be represented by a line it might look something like the gains and losses of the stock market - ups and downs but a gradual increase. Amidst the advances and setbacks of our walk with the Lord is the gradual advance in maturity and Christ likeness.
The Lord's steady internal work in our lives is more comparable to a car's cruise control than an aircraft's autopilot. We can't just sit back and let His Spirit do all the work; we've got to cooperate like we do with our car's cruise control. Bible reading and study, the practice of prayer and discipline, and active participation in the body of Christ are all cooperative efforts with the Spirit of God. In fact, if we've surrendered to the Lord's internal good work we'll be led more deeply and consistently in these areas. His internal work will always manifest itself in fruit consistent with the Spirit.
The Lord's good work within is designed to lead to His good work within the lives of others. I'm certain that He eagerly desires to manifest a desire within each of us to move the good news of the Kingdom and the name of Jesus out into the world and into more lives. How he accomplishes that is as varied as our personalities.
May confidence in the Lord's work in your life encourage you today as well as inspire you to aspire to all that He wants to do in and through you.
Pastor Steve
posted by steve @ 9:57 AM
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