“May God himself... sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
With new camping gear comes the process of learning how to use it properly. Once you head out on a trip, you get plenty of practice setting up and tearing down camp. At first the process takes a great deal of time, thought, energy, and mistake-making. But as you become adept, setting up and tearing down comes handily, almost second nature.
If only we could become experts at the Christian life so easily! Unfortunately, even long into our years of traveling life’s path with the Lord, we cannot propel our way into spiritual maturity by practice and skill. We are not capable of producing spiritual fruit outside of Christ. The Christian life is one that is based on our identity in Jesus and driven by the power of His Spirit living in us.
So we are Spirit-empowered to walk in a way that reflects our new nature. He produces in us fruit that is consistent with God’s nature, not our own. As we walk in faith and live by His power, this new nature becomes our own and we grow more and more into the image of Christ.
If only we could become experts at the Christian life so easily! Unfortunately, even long into our years of traveling life’s path with the Lord, we cannot propel our way into spiritual maturity by practice and skill. We are not capable of producing spiritual fruit outside of Christ. The Christian life is one that is based on our identity in Jesus and driven by the power of His Spirit living in us.
So we are Spirit-empowered to walk in a way that reflects our new nature. He produces in us fruit that is consistent with God’s nature, not our own. As we walk in faith and live by His power, this new nature becomes our own and we grow more and more into the image of Christ.
Scripture Focus
Galatians 5:16-26
Insight
We can joyfully follow God in faith as He redeems every aspect of our lives, ever grateful that He is perfectly faithful and He will do it.
Bible In A Year
- 2 Chronicles 3-4
- Psalm 9
- Matthew 13
