The Journey: Part 6 - Get out the map book and confirm the course

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 6 - Get out the map book and confirm the course

Taking a long road trip means that you get onto roads you have not travelled before. Every now and then you meet people on the way and in conversation you might ask for directions to confirm your course.  Though the intentions of that person, in some cases, might be good, there is always a risk in blindly following bad directions without referring to the map book.

This short analogy is true, even more so, in your spiritual journey. Getting instructions from others, without referring to the Bible for your spiritual heading, can have consequences far worse than just a wrong turn on an actual road.

False Teachers and Bad Directions

The Journey: Part 5 - Justification through Christ

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 5 - Justification through Christ

The topic of justification is often complicated by theological attempts to explain what happens in the spiritual context of a person's salvation. Though I do want to get a bit deeper into this topic in this post, it is notable that it can also be a very easy topic if one simply receives it by the same faith that brought you to salvation in Christ in the first place. To dive into this post let me start by defining the word justification from a Biblical stance.

What is 'Justification'

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 4 - The Two Natures of a Believer in Christ

As we progress in this journey, we need to keep two things in mind,

First, to provide us hope, strength, and passion to continue, we must know what our destination is.  We are making our way to that destination of being adopted sons of God and being glorified beyond measure in our Head, Jesus Christ. The vehicle to get us there is the Word of God, and our fuel is studying the Word so that it becomes part of us, quickening us in spirit and energizing us to growth. 

The Journey: Part 3 - Imputation and Propitiation, The Work of God's Love

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 3 - Imputation and Propitiation, The Work of God's Love

The gospel of grace that was communicated to you, and that you chose to put your trust in, provides you with all you need to know about who Jesus Christ is and what He freely did for you (1 Cor.15:1-4). Furthermore, it settles with surety and finality, that through Jesus' death on the cross, and the blood He shed for you, you have complete forgiveness of sins, and by His subsequent burial, and glorious resurrection from the dead, you are absolutely and utterly justified before God and sealed in Christ for that glorious day of redemption, (Rom.4:25).

The Journey: Part 2 - A Process of Edification

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

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.

The Journey: Part 1 - Salvation

Start here at the Introduction: The Journey Begins

The Journey: Part 1 - Salvation

What is this journey I'm referring to? Simply put, it is the period of time BETWEEN salvation and glorification. The journey begins when you get saved, and it ends on that great day when Christ presents the church, His body, glorious, holy, and without blemish, before the Father, (Eph.5:26).

Rom.8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Saved for 40 years, but my Christian journey has only now begun!

Saved for 40 years, but my Christian journey has only now begun!

I've wondered around in blindness for 40 years, not as a lost soul in this world, but as a saved Christian in the denominational church 'system', —or should I put it, 'institution'. I'm tempted to say, "what a HUGE waste of time!", but within me, I sense instead, a gratitude for those experiences that kept me in touch with basic Christian practice, with fellowship, and that sheltered me from the world outside. Much more so, I am so grateful to the Lord that His love found me; that the gospel of His cross has produced in me the faith necessary to trust in Christ alone for my eternal salvation, having quickened my spirit, infusing it with life and an eternal hope.