The Journey: Part 2 - A Process of Edification
There's a methodical process of edification that occurs in Paul's epistles, taking you from the wrath of God in the book of Romans, to the faithful Body of Christ in Thessalonians who are patiently waiting for the Lord Jesus Christ to come. From Romans to Thessalonians, the whole outlook of life and faith has changed.
Rom.1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
2 Thess.3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
Every saved person should understand that trusting the gospel of your salvation, being sealed in Christ, and receiving that spiritual adoption, is just the beginning of the work of faith. What is the work of faith? The work of faith is a work that God performs through his Word. You heard that gospel. You believed it. That is the beginning of the work of faith. Now this work of faith, through the Word, should continue building you up, every day, systematically, strengthening and maturing you unto godly edification.
As you have probably discovered by now, this process is utterly based in the Word of God. There is nothing in this world that comes close to the value and importance of getting that Word into us. The Word of the Lord is His Spirit, it is spirit and truth, it is life and nourishment. It is of utmost necessity that our minds be renewed. Every day, little by little, our pattern of thinking, our foundation of truth, our spiritual understanding, should more and more resemble the mind of Christ. Our walk after salvation should progress little by little, each and every day, so that we resemble the image of Christ. This is a process that will take the rest of your life, BUT it is also a process that must progress. Unfortunately, in many Christians, it is a process that stagnates, and for some, it even stops altogether.
So many Christians do not have a functional Christian life because they're trying to live that life either by the flesh or by the law! These two things are spirit killers! Yet, they are the two things that an uneducated Christian will go to by default to try and make it work!
Rom.8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
A functional, healthy and productive Christian life is one that is lived in the spirit. Paul asked the Galatians: "How received ye the spirit? by the works of the law or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" To the Colossians, Paul writes, "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:". The one and only way that the Spirit of God is received into your life and then continues that good work in your life is through faith, and that comes exclusively by the Word of God.
This post is a call to believers to get back to the Word of God. That Bible that has been on the shelf or packed away in the drawer or closet, is your lifeline to God, and more so, it is a building block to the high calling of God. It is the ONLY thing that will establish Christ in you and stabilize your relationship with God, so that you are not blown about by every wind of doctrine. We need to press on in Christ, gain knowledge that is encapsulated in the Bible, and grow up to become mature ‘adopted sons of God’ who bring forth fruit to glorify Christ in our daily lives. This is the will of God for us.
1 Tim.2:4 [God] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
I look forward to you company as we continue on this journey.
God bless.
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