A TEST
Part two of two devotions in Apostasy series
Psalm
25: 14-15: “The Lord confides in those
who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them. My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only He
will release my feet from the snare.”
Hebrews
is a book in the Bible’s New Testament that urges Believers to keep
moving. Many never grow up in Christ after
accepting Jesus as Savior. Apostle Paul
advises that we’re to “continue to work out our salvation with fear and
trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Believers
don’t do anything except accept Jesus’ offer for forgiveness of sins and
eternal life to be saved.
And
if that’s our end game, we never grow up spiritually and mature in our faith. We’re carnal [KAR-nal] Christians. Carnal Christians are fleshly instead of virtuous. Worldly instead of righteous. It never occurs to carnal Christians to grow
in Christ. Who wants “to work out
salvation with fear and trembling?”
“Work
out salvation with fear and trembling” means to cooperate with Believers’
indwelt Holy Spirit. His job is to
transform infant Christians who are being fed Scriptural “milk,” into mature
grown-up Christians who are nurtured with Scriptural “meat.” His goal is to grow Believers in
Christlikeness.
After
many years, Believers ought to be teachers.
That’s the test in Hebrews 5:12.
“By this time you ought to be teachers,” [but many require] “someone to
teach you the elementary truths of God’s Word all over again.” Are you “acquainted with the teaching about
righteousness?” (v.13).
“Solid
food is for the mature [Christian], who by constant use have trained themselves
to distinguish good from evil.” (v.14). Carnal Christians never grow past feeding on
milk.
The
phrase “trained themselves” comes from the Greek root word for gymnasium.
Growing in Christ is a training ground were Believers learn to
discern good from evil.
Jesus
shocked a Pharisee named Nicodemus.
Nicodemus didn’t understand that no one can enter the kingdom of God
unless he is “born again”. Jesus asked, “You are Israel’s teacher and you do not understand these
things?” (John 3:5, 10). It’s good
that Nicodemus probably “worked
out his salvation with fear and trembling” after that!
Romans
8:1 is comforting to Believers who are growing in Christ. “Therefore, there is no condemnation for
those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Take
Home Nugget
Mature
Christians should to be able to sit down with people, show them Scripture and
teach simple truths. We should be able
to lead an unbeliever to the Lord. Daily
investing in God’s Word saturates our minds and we practice its truths. Righteous living becomes habit, a natural way
of thinking and perceiving things God’s way.
How else can we be ambassadors of Christ? (2 Corinthians 5:20).
When will you feed on Scriptural meat?
Adapted from “A Simple Truth.” Dr. Tony Evans.
August 19, 2015. Kingdom Living Alternative View. Christianity.com@crosswalkmail.com
J.D. Griffith
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