I feel that the Lord is inviting us to graduate from spiritual kindergarten, when we thought we had already received our diploma of faith and spirituality. For too long, as we have walked with Christ, our understanding has often been like that of many believers who have been told, “Just ask Jesus into your heart and you’ll go to heaven.”
Certainly Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved”. Truth is that confession is the beginning of belief and the salvivic journey. After this confession comes discipleship, which means following Christ. Perhaps this is why Matthew 7:21 says “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father in heaven.”
In this scripture, we are reminded that Christ isn’t here to serve us; we are here to serve Him. We are here to do His will. And it’s not just about saying we believe while we live our own lives. It’s sobering to think that Jesus asks those who know Him to live for Him, and nothing less. So it’s not about God making all my dreams come true and making me happy, healthy, and wealthy. It’s not about just saying I believe but not backing up my words with action that proves my love. It’s about Jesus being Lord.
I wonder if in our attempt to emphasize grace, which of course, is critical, we have missed the seriousness of “working out our salvation with fear and trembling” ( see Philippians 2:12). We must remember that yes, we are saved by grace. We can’t do anything to earn our way into heaven ( see Ephesians 2:9). It’s only Christ’s gift on the cross that has justified us by washing away our sin so that we experience eternal life.
Beloved we must also remember that faith without works is dead ( see James 2:20). In any relationship, including the one with Christ, action doesn’t prove love, but true love is always proven by action. That said, all genuine works for Christ begin with the motivation of the heart, in relationship with Jesus. Or, they are just dead works. The condition of our heart is central, and the beginning of, true discipleship. Knowing these things, is God asking you to graduate from spiritual kindergarten?
Our Prayer: Father continue through the power of your Spirit to make your will known to us, and as we know your will Father help us to yield to it, and join you in the working of your will through humble acts of service and love Amen.
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Pastor Todd A. Brown
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd. Mclean Va. 22101
First Baptist of Chesterbrook
1740 Kirby Rd. Mclean Va. 22101
Vision:" Disciples Making a Kingdom Impact"
Mission: Exalting, Evangelizing, Equipping, and Encouraging every soul in Christ
Listen to "Life Notes" & "Kingdom Impact with Pastor Brown
Mon-Fri at noon and Sundays at 9am and Wednesdays at 9pm on WBGRonline.com
www.fbcc-va.org
www.fbcc-va.org
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