by David Brenneman
"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you." 2 Peter 1:5-11.
"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:1-7.
In Christ to be different from the world is what we are to be.
Peter and Paul both point to our calling in Christ. We aren't to get saved and then do nothing to grow in Christ.
We likewise do not do what we do in Christ to keep our salvation. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Salvation is entirely by what Jesus did on the cross and His resurrection from the dead. What we do after hearing His voice and coming to Him for salvation is to live for Jesus.
We are to daily, not just Sundays and maybe Wednesday nights, be growing with respect to our salvation in Christ.
Daily to be in the Word of God, if not multiple times a day.
Daily to be in prayer, if not dozens or more times a day.
Shedding the old sin life and clothing ourselves in the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
We have a new purpose under Heaven when we come to Christ as well. There's our personal calling that brought us to Jesus to be saved and we have our calling that impacts others in the faith. We aren't to forsake the assembly of the Church of God after we're saved. Our growing in Christ will help others in Christ as long as we're around them. The third possible calling is potentially your participation in the global scene of prophecy. But unless we're obedient in these first two, we'll not likely see the third if it's for us to do.
Growing in Christ is the workmanship of Jesus Christ in and through us. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. We are to live our lives in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
Paul taught at length about the various parts of the body of Christ.
You and I, if indeed His salvation has rested upon us, are sealed in the Spirit. His mark is upon us.
Our hope, daily, is in Him.
I know not what this hour, this day, this week, year ahead has for me. I know that Jesus is already in those days, working out whatever is necessary for my good. He works all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.
On this journey we come to learn of aspects of life that we don't want or need anymore. We stop listening to this or that. Stop watching this or that. Stop going to certain places and start finding more wholesome things to add to our lives. We start wanting the things that He wants for us and are more grateful for what He brings to us.
You should look up Micah Tyler "Different". Look at the lives of Paul, Peter, John, James, etc. Lives that were made to be different. Your life in Christ is to make you different as well. The world is in darkness. A deep darkness that hates the Light. If we're like the darkness then we're no different than all the others in that darkness. If we're reflecting the Light of Jesus then we indeed are being different from that darkness.
In the book of Hebrews we have what's been referred to as the faith chapter. All those who changed the world with their changed lived in Christ.
Jesus said His sheep hear His voice. Do you? If indeed you are saved you should be able to. He has a plan for your life. Honestly it does include learning how to crawl, to walk, then to keep pace with Jesus.
Take a new look at your life.
If all you are doing is only trying to make it to the other end of the day and aren't considering what Jesus wants of you in your today then maybe that's the beginning of where you are going wrong.
It's not about emotional intelligence or psychology of any kind. Jesus simply said for us to come as a child. That's the first calling. Take His yoke upon us for His burden is easy and His load is light.
We grow in Christ, we point others to Jesus. Love God with all your heart, mind, soul and spirit. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Forget about possessions or popularity. Forget about bucket lists or fabulous vacation spots. Forget about climbing the corporate ladder. Forget about success as the world defines it.
Peter spelled it out in our opening passage.
Are you giving the best of your ability to your walk with Jesus in everything you do? Does Jesus get the leftovers of your time, energy and effort?
Think about it. It's what you have done in the body of Christ
Consider your ways.
Consider your calling.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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