Part 1: Introduction | Part 2: Obedience | Part 3: Relationship | Part 4: Fruitfulness | Part 5: Intimacy | Part 6: Muscle | Part 7: Gratitude | Part 8: Specifics 1 | Part 9: Specifics 2
So how does God make well-rounded Christians?
Well, like all maturation, it takes time. It involves growth in comprehension, beginning with knowledge that is supplemented by understanding that comes from the means of grace and from experience. It involves growing in one’s knowledge of God and the consequent maturation of a living, personal relationship with him. It involves experiencing hard things that develop endurance and, yet again, more understanding. It involves experiencing victories that teach methods for and confidence in future victories.
The primary element, I would assert, is that personal relationship, that love of God, that makes our confidence in his presence and trustworthiness almost second nature to us, beyond even the ways that we trust our closest human friends. With that relational foundation we walk with him throughout the day; we expect his direction and empowerment; we trust his will, in the light and in the darkness; and we see everything as from his hand, prompted by his wise love, something for which we should be profoundly grateful.
That’s what I want to be when I grow up.
Who is He on yonder tree
Dies in grief and agony?
Who is He who from the grave
Comes to succor, help, and save?
Who is He who from His throne
Rules through all the worlds alone?
’Tis the Lord! oh wondrous story!
’Tis the Lord! the King of glory!
At His feet we humbly fall;
Crown Him! crown Him, Lord of all!
– Benjamin Russell Hanby
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
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