Vision Track 2.2

GRACE OF GOD

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6-7 (NIV 1984)

The grace of God is an enormous subject, underpinning everything we have looked at so far in this course, from the gospel (“For by grace you have been saved” Ephesians 2:8) to the Spirit-filled life (“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” 1 Peter 4:10). Revelation of God’s grace pours through all the writers of the New Testament. It was the essential theme of Paul’s letters, all of which start and end with references to it, and the driving motivation of his ministry:

“But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

It is crucial to us that every person in our church be established on a foundational revelation of this doctrine. Though this one session can do no more than serve as an introduction, our prayer is that it will inspire you to pursue a lifelong exploration of the inexhaustible wonders of God’s amazing grace.

WHAT IS GRACE?

In popular usage, we can think of “grace” as dignified/polite behavior, elegant movement or as the prayer often said before a meal. However, when we see the word in Scripture, it is typically a translation of the Hebrew word hesed or the Greek word charis, most frequently conveying the concept of God’s unmerited favor expressed in gifts.

GOD-GRACIOUS FROM THE BEGINNING

Unquestionably, the life and work of Christ revealed the grace of God to mankind in an unprecedented way, but the evidence of His grace is seen throughout the Old Testament. This is not surprising as, contrary to what some have mistakenly thought when looking at the Old and New Testaments, God has not changed. “For I the Lord do not change” Malachi 3:6 (see also Hebrews 1:12 and 13:8).

We see one of God’s earliest revelations to man of His identity and nature here:

“The Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness,’” (Exodus 34:6)

This truth that God is “merciful and gracious” is repeatedly declared and seen throughout the Old Testament. The ultimate demonstration of His grace in and through Jesus Christ is, therefore, totally in keeping with this intrinsic aspect of His nature.

GOD’S SOVEREIGN GRACE

What is also clear throughout Scripture is that God’s grace towards us is a reflection of His sovereignty. We see in Exodus 33:19 that God said to Moses, “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my name ‘The Lord.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.”

God elects to bestow grace and mercy on us completely of His own initiative. He is in no way being reactive or responsive to us in doing so. This is clearly seen to be the case in our salvation, as scripture after scripture confirms. For example:

“You did not choose me, but I chose you...” (John 15:16)

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” (Ephesians 2:8)

Some struggle with the concept of God’s absolute sovereignty in salvation. This can be for different reasons. At times, it is just a reflection of man’s desire to be in control—which is sin. We like the idea of salvation being a product of our choice rather than merely our God-orchestrated response to His choice. Of course, to many it genuinely feels like it was their initiative, their choice—that they sought God and “found” Him. A. W. Tozer helpfully explains what they are feeling:

“Salvation is from our side a choice, from the divine side it is a seizing upon, an apprehending, a conquest by the Most High God. Our ‘accepting’ and ‘willing’ are reactions rather than actions. The right of determination must always remain with God.”

Another reason why some struggle is because the idea of “unmerited favor” violates their concept of “fairness.” We should all be thankful, however, that salvation is not dependent on fairness (and certainly not on our warped sense of fairness). To be “fair,” everyone should go to Hell! “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). No one is deserving of salvation; no one has earned anything other than the wages of sin, namely death (Romans 6:23). It is outrageously unfair that Jesus had to suffer and die for our sins. It is unfair that any of us should receive salvation. (For a detailed explanation of God’s sovereignty in election, see Romans 9.)

It is good for us to be reminded of the nature of God when thinking about these things:

“He is the Rock, his works are perfect, and all his ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is he.” Deuteronomy 32:4 (NIV 1984)

We should be relieved and full of joy that God is indeed sovereign. He chooses to exercise unmerited mercy and compassion towards us in a way that may confound our understanding, but is perfect and just. Praise God for His sovereign grace!

GRACE AND PROMISES

From the beginning, God has showcased His relationship with mankind through covenants, within which He has made promises. God has always been faithful to His Word, despite man’s unfaithfulness.

In Genesis 12, God chooses Abram (who would become Abraham) and makes a covenant with him that was rich with many wonderful promises. In God’s dealings with Abraham, we have many clear insights into His ultimate redemptive purpose in Christ:

“And he brought him outside and said, ‘Look toward heaven, and number the stars, if you are able to number them.’ Then he said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:5-6)

“For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of faith.” (Romans 4:13)

LAW AND GRACE

In order to fully comprehend the wonder of God’s grace, we need to understand something of His righteous expectations of and dealings with His people. Through Moses, God instituted the Law (known as the “Old Covenant”) as a means by which His people might properly respond to Him.

The Law was far more than just the Ten Commandments. It was a whole set of detailed instructions intended to help Israel follow God and grow into a mighty nation. The Law instructed the people of God in His righteous ways and was, in itself, good:

“The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.” (Psalm 19:7-9)

Despite the glowing affirmation of the Law in the above scripture, other passages in the New Testament describe it in seemingly less positive terms. This has left many Christians unsure regarding what to think about the Law. What purpose did it serve—and what could it not do?

THE LAW REVEALED SIN

“...Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin...” (Romans 7:7)

As we have said, the Law showed what was required in order to live righteously before God. However, in doing so, it actually revealed man’s inability and/or unwillingness to obey and respond rightly to God, showing how inherently sinful mankind was:

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” (Romans 3:20 NIV 1984)

Though the Law was righteous, it was unable to impart righteousness. In Romans 7, Paul uses the example of marriage to illustrate the binding relationship the people of God had with the Law. He likens the Law to a husband who always points out the right thing to do, but never actually helps his wife do it, and is impotent when it comes to imparting the fruit of righteousness.

THE LAW PROVOKED SIN

Not only did the Law reveal sin, it actually provoked it! Romans 7:9 (NIV 1984) states that “sin sprang to life” as a reaction to the commandment. This is not because the Law was bad, but rather because its goodness evoked a sinful reaction, exposing the extent of mankind’s depravity, the absolute hopelessness of his plight:

“Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.” (Romans 7:13)

“Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,” (Romans 5:20)

THE LAW AS A GUARDIAN

“Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:23-24)

When Paul refers to the Law as a guardian, he uses the Greek word paidagogos, which was someone employed to supervise children until they were old enough to come into the “full rights of sons” (Galatians 4:5 NIV 1984). We come into those full rights by way of the New Covenant:

“For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17)

The New Covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ is indeed a much better covenant than that of Moses. Let’s look at some of the amazing truths that we experience through the grace of God.

THE RICHES OF GOD’S GRACE

GRACE AND JUSTIFICATION

“but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” (Romans 5:8-9)

Justification results in right legal standing before God. With regard to our sin, it means that we stand before God as though we have never sinned! Our account of wrongdoing—past, present and future—is done away with once and for all. This is why Paul could assert with such confidence, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).

GRACE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

“For if, because of one man’s trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.” (Romans 5:17)

It is not just that the slate is clean, not just that He has paid our debt—He has also credited our account with His righteousness! This means that God doesn’t just see us as debt-free, but as rich in righteousness, having Christ’s perfect life attributed to our account. We can identify with Paul in his confident aspiration:

“... in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—” (Philippians 3:8-9)

It is only because of this that we can “with confidence draw near to the throne of grace” (Hebrews 4:16). How wonderful it is that we no longer relate to God on the basis of our performance, but rather on the basis of Christ’s? This means that, regardless of any current sin and failure we might be experiencing, our position before God remains the same.

DANGEROUS GRACE?

Many people feel nervous when they think about this truth, concerned that this doctrine is dangerous and might promote sin and careless living. Clearly, they are not the first to see the risk. Paul raises and answers the obvious question himself:

“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?... What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Romans 6:1-2, 15-16)

As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said,

“The true preaching of the gospel of salvation by grace alone always leads to the possibility of this charge being brought against it. There is no better test as to whether a man is really preaching the New Testament gospel of salvation than this, that some people might understand it and misinterpret it to mean that it really amounts to this, that because you are saved by grace alone it does not matter at all what you do; you can go on sinning as much as you like because it will redound all the more to the glory of grace. That is a very good test of gospel preaching. If my preaching and presentation of the gospel of salvation does not expose it to that misunderstanding then it is not the gospel. If a man preaches justification by works, no one would ever raise this question.”

— Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (Romans: The New Man,
An Exposition of Chapter 6, Banner of Truth Trust, 1972)

It is important to note that when Paul says we should “by no means” go on sinning, his reasoning is not the fear of judgment, but rather because it is inconsistent with Christ’s work in our lives. Far from granting a license to sin, grace actually teaches and empowers us to say “no” to ungodliness:

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,” (Titus 2:11-12 NIV 1984)

GRACE AND SANCTIFICATION

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind...” (Romans 12:2)

Of course, while we are in this tent of sin-infected flesh, we are still tempted to give in to desires that wage war against the Spirit. But, God is committed to our gradual but complete transformation—not just in some “doctrinal” and intangible way, but in our day-to-day life. This process is called sanctification, and it too is produced by the grace of God:

“In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (Romans 6:11-14 NIV 1984)

How are we then to deal with the sin we commit? 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (see also 1 John 2:1).

GRACE AND POWER

Many Christians can function for periods of time relying on their own abilities and strengths, but sooner or later, they will find themselves crushed under the weight of things that can only be sustained supernaturally.

“But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” (James 4:6)

This principle of humble dependency upon God’s grace was very evident in the life of Paul, as one who had much to boast about in terms of training, position, and intellectual ability. Paul struggled with an undefined challenge, which he referred to as a thorn in his flesh. Despite his repeated requests for relief, God allowed it to remain:

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

But God’s grace to us is not just sustaining power enabling us to endure hardship and pressure. It is also dynamic power for the advancement of the gospel:

“And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all.” (Acts 4:33)

“And Stephen, full of grace and power, was doing great wonders and signs among the people.” (Acts 6:8)

GRACE AND IDENTITY

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” (Ephesians 1:4-6 NIV 1984)

The reality of God’s grace in our lives can be so transforming that it redefines us, literally giving us a new identity and sense of purpose:

“Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.” (Ephesians 3:7)

It is also by His grace that we are energized and equipped for ministry:

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

GRACE THROUGH FAITH

From our salvation onward, faith is the means of accessing the grace of God. The gospel is not just “good news;” it is almost unbelievably good news! In other words, it might be described as “too good to be true!” It requires a gift of faith from God even to start to believe. Once that initial gift is given, our maturing and growing in God is all about faith in His continuous grace towards us:

“For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.” (John 1:16)

BEWARE OF LEGALISM

Having clarified earlier that, in itself, the Law was good, it is important for us to understand that the greatest enemy to living in the grace of God is legalism.

Legalism is the false notion that right relationship with God can be earned by returning to either the Law of Moses or some other set of rules and regulations. Its emphasis will always be one of “trying harder.” It is when addressing legalism that Paul uses his harshest rebukes to the Church:

“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1a)

“I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one,” (Galatians 1:6-7a)

Paul describes turning to the Law for salvation or sanctification as falling away from grace!

“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)

The spirit of legalism is at the core of false religion and has spawned many successful cults. It has also been the most corrupting influence in the Church throughout the centuries. It is very subtle, not playing on the typical appetites of the flesh, but rather feeding off the results of these acts, namely shame, guilt, emptiness, and hopelessness. And it offers a logical remedy—religion! Even within strong local churches, legalism can be pervasive. It infiltrates in small quantities like yeast, but before long, works through the whole batch of dough (Matthew 16:6- 12). It must be identified and rooted out at all costs!

ABOUNDING GRACE

“...All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God’s grace in all its truth.” (Colossians 1:6 NIV 1984)

It is the understanding of God’s grace in all its truth that produces the fruit He desires. We are called to live in the lavish grace of God and encourage others to do so:

“See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no ‘root of bitterness’ springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled;” (Hebrews 12:15)

As the grace of God in Jesus Christ is the central theme of Scripture, it is fitting that the final verse of the Bible should reference this:

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” (Revelation 22:21 NIV 1984)

LORDSHIP OF CHRIST

“Therefore God has highly exalted him [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11)

The message of the New Testament is not just that “Jesus is the answer,” but “Jesus is Lord.” In the Bible, the word “Savior” is found 37 times while the word “Lord” is used 7,736 times. Jesus Christ, God the Son, is the Lord of Heaven and Earth. In this session, we are going to look specifically at what it means for Jesus to be our Lord on a personal level, and how His rule (that is, His Kingdom) is advancing in the earth.

JESUS CHRIST—MY LORD AND MY GOD

Most of us have been raised in free, democratic countries with either no monarch or, by comparison to biblical and other historic models, a token one. Subsequently, we are not conditioned to think in terms of sovereign rule and obedient submission. However, whether we realized it or not, before we were born again, we were in submission to Satan, sin having brought us under his control. The saving work of Jesus not only cleansed us from the pollution of sin but also freed us from the power of sin and Satan:

“He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” (Colossians 1:13-14)

After Christ redeemed us (that is, bought us back), we were not left as “free agents” but were placed under a new authority—that of the Lord Jesus. The apostle Paul, whom God chose to be an example for all of us, described himself as “a bond-servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10 - NASB).

“JESUS IS LORD!”

The most striking characteristic of Christians, as distinct from unbelievers, is that by the working of the Holy Spirit, they are enabled to say (and mean), “Jesus is Lord,” both in turning to Him for salvation and as a lifelong confession:

“...no one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except in the Holy Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:3)

“...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

As we saw from Philippians 2:9-11 at the beginning of this session, one day every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord. The Christian does it now!

Outside of the Church, lord is not commonly used, but in everyday language it means “boss or owner, the one who gives orders and expects to be obeyed.” When we come to Christ, we are in effect saying, “I no longer wish to be guided by Satan or by my own desires; I want to submit every thought, word, and action to you, Lord. If your command cuts across my feelings or natural inclinations, it is your command I will obey.”

“You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20)

So, Jesus is our Lord, our King. We are in a Kingdom, subjects of a King who loves us and is totally dedicated to our welfare.

DOES KING JESUS GIVE ORDERS TO HIS SUBJECTS?

Yes! It is a mistake to think there is no requirement of obedience in the New Testament. As we considered in detail when looking at the grace of God in Session 8, we are now empowered to live in a righteousness that goes beyond the Law.

“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.’” (Matthew 28:18-20a)

“...not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ... ” (1 Corinthians 9:21)

Under the Law of Moses, fear of judgment and death was the primary motivation for obedience. But now, having been justified freely by God’s grace, our motive as believers for keeping the law of Christ is love and gratitude.

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

WHO IS SERVING WHOM?

An incomplete message of the gospel says, “Come to Jesus and get joy, peace, all your problems solved, prosperity, excitement, and blessing.” The authentic gospel cries out, “Come to Jesus and submit your life to Him. Give yourself as a living sacrifice and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (see Matthew 6:25-34). Under the incomplete message, I am Lord and Jesus is my servant. Whereas under the authentic gospel, Jesus is Lord and I am His servant.

“...we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” (Romans 7:6)

Of course, all of the promised benefits of the incomplete message are included in the authentic gospel, but it is important to understand that they come as a result of the Lordship of Jesus in our lives. If people have heard only the incomplete message, and Jesus doesn’t respond like a “genie in a bottle,” they get frustrated and quit when God wants them to grow up. If we submit to Jesus and allow Him to lead us, we won’t be disappointed:

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,” (Psalm 103:2)

PRACTICAL LORDSHIP

If Jesus is truly Lord of our lives, then every area of our life must be submitted to His will. The instant we are born again, we are new creations. However, if we are to come into our inheritance as saints, we must cooperate with the Holy Spirit in the process of gradual transformation to the likeness of Christ. This includes the putting off of things that do not pertain to righteousness and the putting on of things that do (Ephesians 4:22-24). Even though many experience dramatic release from particular patterns of sin at their conversion, there will still be areas that will require the challenge of making good, but difficult, choices if they are to mature.

Furthermore, we have an enemy who is working against us in this. Despite the fact that, at the point of our salvation, Satan lost his hold on our lives, he remains committed to inhibiting our relationship with God. He wants to render us ineffective and fruitless, particularly with regard to the mission of reaching others. As long as we are in our physical body, Satan will be looking for an opportunity to establish a stronghold in us. He is able to do this in areas where we are unwilling to yield to Christ. Whether the problem is merely our own reluctance to change or Satan’s direct influence, we will refer to such areas as “Lordship issues.”

We are not so much referring to occasional tripping and falling, but rather the decision to live with a recurring pattern of sin and refusing to truly repent. It is also important to understand that a Lordship issue may not necessarily be something that is obviously “bad”; it can simply be anything that we put before God and are unwilling to submit to Him. The Lordship of Christ can be challenged in any and all areas of life, including our relationships, careers, finances, time, habits, and recreation.

LET’S LOOK AT SOME OF THE TYPICAL AREAS WHERE MANY STRUGGLE WITH LORDSHIP:

Money and possessions — Jesus confronted the god of money, “mammon,” more frequently than any other idol. As this is such a major potential challenge to the Lordship of Christ, we will cover it more thoroughly in a later session, but for now let’s consider the following verses:

“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24)

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” (1 Timothy 6:10)

Romantic relationships — The desire and expectation of finding fulfillment in a partner can be very intense, and the enemy has had great success in manipulating the emotions of many individuals in this area. More than any other issue, this has led single men and women who were once zealous for God to abandon or compromise their faith. Failing to trust in the timing and provision of God with matters of the heart has doomed many to a tragic, fruitless existence.

Education and careers — To study and become qualified for meaningful work is a good thing. However, God does not intend for our work to be our Lord or our life! Work is a means of productively serving Him. At times, He will challenge us to make decisions that are seemingly not the best for our careers, but are based on higher Kingdom priorities like family or church.

Sexual purity — Sex is given for our pleasure and fulfillment within the right context of marriage. However, we live in a culture that is saturated with sexual impurity of every kind. In Philippians 2:15, we are exhorted to live a life where we “shine as lights” in a “crooked and twisted generation.”

“But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people.” (Ephesians 5:3 NIV 1984)

“For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality;” (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

Addictions – There are many things in life that are good and given to us by God but can become addictions through excess. For example, food, rest, and exercise are all spoken of positively in Scripture, if taken in moderation, but can become controlling factors if we let them.

However, we specifically want to address addictions to substances and practices that are harmful, even in moderation. For example, drugs such as, marijuana, opiates, etc. are used by Satan to entrap and destroy people. The pleasure of these drugs is primarily derived from the fulfilling of a self-induced craving, but the underlying effect is devastation of physical, mental, and spiritual health. The same can be said of the use of pornography, which has grown to epidemic proportions with the development of modern technology.

When we submit to the Lordship of Christ, we find a freedom and liberty that cannot be found in any other way. Consider the following verses:

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

“‘Everything is permissible for me’—but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible for me’—but I will not be mastered by anything.” (1 Corinthians 6:12 NIV 1984)

ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAIN CHRIST’S LORDSHIP IN LIFE

We must remember that our transformation is not the product of us “trying harder” but rather the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:1-2). God has done a magnificent work in us so that now we are “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). He won the battle for us before we struck a blow; He qualified us before the test began. Far from being disappointing and displeasing to God, as so many Christians feel, the truth is that we are His delight and He has fashioned us for victory:

“...he rescued me, because he delighted in me.” (Psalm 18:19)

“‘...I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be my people.’” (Jeremiah 31:33)

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world.” (1 John 5:3-4a)

We must set out to discover, from the Scriptures and from the promptings of the Holy Spirit, what the Lord wants of us. Having found it, we must deliberately do it, regardless of how we feel. Right actions will be followed by right feelings.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

LORDSHIP AND LEADERSHIP

Every individual Christian has the means of receiving orders directly from King Jesus—through the indwelling Holy Spirit, prayer as a direct two-way communication with Him, and His written Word, the Bible.

However, the New Testament does not conceive of Christians normally living in spiritual isolation; they are part of a community of believers, the local church. Because of the widely varying degrees of spiritual maturity and experience among Christians, there is in the church a structure of delegated authority under Christ. Leaders share an element of Christ’s authority in order to lead Christians in the right ways. Compare these verses:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.” (James 4:7a)

“Obey your leaders and submit to them...” (Hebrews 13:17)

It is the elders of the church who are given this delegated authority by the Lord. In later sessions, we will look in more detail at the subject of leadership in the church. The most important thing for us to grasp at this point is that leadership in the church is given to us by God and is always to represent His heart towards us.

The New Testament gives at least two word pictures of the kind of leadership Christ has in the Church:

SHEPHERD

The word leader in Hebrews 13:17 is the same Greek word (hegeomai) used for Joseph as “governor” over Egypt in Acts 7:10. Joseph’s was a real rule, though exercised in the people’s interests. The word is used also of Jesus in Matthew 2:6b, where it says of Bethlehem, “for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

The job of the shepherd is to feed, guide, and protect. And it is interesting to bear in mind that the Eastern shepherd walks in front of the sheep, not behind. Church leaders lead people forward by example. They feed them on the nourishing food of God’s Word, guide their lives in accordance with God’s pattern, and protect them from harmful pressures and influences. Such was Paul’s advice to the Ephesian elders in Acts 20:28-30.

PARENT

“The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17 NIV 1984)

“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13a)

The Greek word translated by the emboldened phrases above (proistemi) is explained in 1 Timothy 3:4 (NIV 1984), where it is used of the elder who “must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.” So, the church leader must have a parental kind of concern for the people. Accordingly, he will give commands at times:

“Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.” (Titus 2:15)

The Greek word translated “authority” here (epitage) means “authoritative command.” Like Paul, the local church elder will embody the care of both a father and a nursing mother in self-sacrificial concern—exhorting, encouraging, and charging the people of God to lead a life worthy of God (1 Thessalonians 2:7-12).

THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM

In the previous session, we marveled at the wonders of the gospel of God’s grace—and rightly so, as His grace is indeed good news. However, it is also important for us to see that the gospel is also the good news of His Kingdom. The Kingdom rule of God means ongoing freedom from sin’s consequence and control.

“Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, “Here it is,” or “There it is,” because the kingdom of God is within you.’” (Luke 17:20-21 NIV 1984)

Every time we determine to repent and make the right choice regarding sin, we establish the Kingdom of God internally. However, the effect of our internal transformation is anything but private.

One of the things Jesus taught us to pray was this: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

The strategic plan of God has always been to have a people who are inwardly transformed to His likeness and collectively fill the entire earth with the knowledge of His glory.

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” (Habakkuk 2:14)

THE CHURCH AND THE KINGDOM

“according to the working of his [God’s] great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:19b-23)

The true Church that Jesus is building is the primary means of displaying His glory in the earth. Rather than some beaten down and defensive remnant, the Scripture depicts the Church rising to become the indomitable force that even hell cannot withstand.

“...I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

We must respond personally to the challenge of the Lordship of Christ, but what is at stake is far more than personal gain. As believers, we are members of His body, a part of His advancing Kingdom. As such, we urge you to address the Lordship issues in your life. Allow the Holy Spirit to bring conviction over things that need to be submitted to Christ, and by faith, receive God’s transforming grace.

GROWING IN GOD

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness... For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:3, 5-8 NIV 1984)

As we have seen, God has graciously given us new life and has, by His Holy Spirit, equipped and empowered us with everything we need to live it to the full for His glory. However, just as children start off doing nothing for themselves, but gradually play an increasing role in their own development, so God intends that we should be active participants in our growth as Christians.

GROWING IN KNOWING THE LORD

When the Scripture quoted above refers to our “knowledge” of Jesus, it is not referring merely to “head” knowledge, but rather to experiential knowledge—actually knowing God, not just knowing about Him. This is what our life is all about:

“...this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3)

It is our privilege and responsibility to give ourselves to growing in our knowledge of God, and it is to be a life-long pursuit. Catch the heart of these two great examples:

David: “One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, Lord, do I seek.’” (Psalm 27:4, 8)

Paul: “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Philippians 3:10-12 NIV 1984)

The type of passionate desire seen in David and Paul isn’t lived out through unfocused “yearnings,” but rather in an intentional lifestyle. God has given us specific means through which we can grow in our knowledge of Him, and we are going to look at some key ones in this session: bible study, worship, prayer, and fasting.

GROWING THROUGH DISCIPLINE

These activities, when approached deliberately and consistently, have often been referred to as “spiritual disciplines.” This term isn’t actually found in the Bible, and for many it doesn’t evoke a positive reaction. Discipline can be associated with punishment, hardship, and self-deprivation. It is, therefore, not surprising that some have preferred to use other terms, such as devotions. There is certainly a biblical connection here, recalling the attitude of the early Church to their growth:

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” (Acts 2:42 NIV 1984)

Nevertheless, the term discipline is a good one to use when we understand it and consider our goal. The word comes from the Latin word disciplina, which means “instruction” or “tuition.” It is connected, of course, to the word disciple, which conveys the idea of one who follows, is trained by, or is being shaped into the likeness of another. As disciples of Jesus, we commit ourselves to following His example in, among other things, our devotion to the Word, worship, prayer, and fasting. Furthermore, we are transformed into His likeness as we engage in these activities.

THE CHALLENGE OF DISCIPLINE

“For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11)

Although this Scripture is primarily addressing the type of discipline that is brought to us, the principle is the same for disciplines to which we voluntarily give ourselves. Disciplines require application even when we don’t feel like it, and they often involve some degree of self-denial.

For this reason, it is not surprising that little attention is given in the Western Church to self-discipline, which has been referred to as the “forgotten fruit of the Spirit.” Our consumer-driven culture has produced Christians who expect to be spoon-fed by their spiritual leaders, rather than taking responsibility for their own spiritual growth. This mindset is extremely detrimental to the maturing of the Church.

The emphasis nowadays on diet and exercise is good, but we should bear in mind Paul’s exhortation regarding what is more important: “train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7-8).

A PROPER FOUNDATION

It is all too easy to approach the spiritual disciplines with wrong motivations and expectations. As with everything in our walk with God, we need a proper foundation in place in order to build and grow. This will include an ongoing revelation of grace, love, and faith:

Grace — “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Without a revelation of grace, we can find ourselves engaging in spiritual disciplines to win God’s favor, resulting in self-righteousness if we “succeed” and (more often) self-condemnation if we “fail.” Let’s remember that our right standing before God is not dependent on our performance in this or any area, but on Christ’s perfect sacrifice on the cross. Furthermore, any attempt to grow in godliness will only bear fruit if we recognize that His grace is leading us into it and enabling us to meet Him in it.

Love — “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” (Mark 12:30)

True love motivates us to act and to make sacrifices in the use of our time, money, and energy. Actions that otherwise would seem arduous are undertaken with joy for the sake of the one we love. Similarly, our engagement in spiritual disciplines should come from a desire to know and please God. When this is the case, the things He calls us to do will not seem burdensome (1 John 5:3-4).

Faith — “And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

Spiritual disciplines are not ends in themselves and will be fruitless if not approached rightly, as Jesus pointed out regarding praying and studying the Scriptures (Matthew 6:7 and John 5:39-40). The right approach is one of faith. Faith is taking God at His word—hearing what He says, believing it, and acting accordingly. We do not undertake the disciplines out of duty or dull routine, but because we trust God’s promise that He will encounter us in them and transform us through them. Therefore, faith leads us to engage in spiritual disciplines, which in turn build up our faith (see James 2:17-18, 22).

THE BIBLE—GOD’S WORD TO HUMANITY

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

The Bible is amazing! It was written in three different languages by some 40 Holy Spirit-inspired writers in three continents over a period of about 1600 years. It records events from creation to the late 1st century AD, and speaks prophetically of events beyond that time and still to occur. Yet there is such a striking unity of theme and purpose that only God could be its author. It is the primary means through which He reveals Himself and His purposes to us, and is vital for us if we are to grow in godliness. The Word of God not only feeds and guides us, but it also convicts, equips, and protects us (see Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 6:17).

We benefit in all these ways and more as we receive and apply God’s Word by:

Hearing — “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17 )

Reading — “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy...” (Revelation 1:3)

Studying — “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Memorizing — “I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” (Psalm 119:11)

Meditating — “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (Joshua 1:8) (see also Psalm 1:2, 119:97)

Speaking/confessing — “With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.” (Psalm 119:13)

A commitment to grow in God will require a commitment to be in His Word. Just as we need regular meals to remain physically healthy, we need to feed regularly on God’s Word to remain spiritually healthy. The occasional “snack” is not enough. And we need a balanced diet from the Bible as well, not just the parts we like most and find easy. While not essential, it is a good discipline to have a daily reading plan, for example one that takes you through the Bible in a year.

“The great need of the hour among persons spiritually hungry is twofold: first, to know the Scriptures, the second, to be enlightened by the Spirit, apart from whom the Scriptures will not be understood.” – A.W. Tozer

WORSHIP

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:23-24)

For many Christians today, “worship” is primarily thought of as the singing part of a church service. In fact, the Bible teaches that our worship is to be the laying down of our whole life for God’s glory. We are to dedicate everything we are and everything we do to Him, and consequently, every thought, word, and action can become a means of honoring and glorifying Him.

The Greek word proskyneo, often translated as “worship” in the Bible, conveys the idea of coming and bowing down before a superior out of respect, submission, awe, and adoration. The English word actually derives from “worth.” We worship because we recognize God as worthy, and our worship should reflect what we consider He is worth.

Another important concept to have in mind when we consider worship is that of sacrifice. The first time the word worship appears in Scripture is where Abraham is called to sacrifice his son, Isaac (Genesis 22:1-5), and the connection between worship and sacrifice is throughout the Scriptures, for example in Romans 12:1: “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”

These concepts should be borne in mind even when we return to the idea of worship that is expressed vocally, for example in song. Scripture does place a particular emphasis on the vocal expression of our worship, whether it be on our own (see Psalm 57:7-8 and 119:172) or with others (see 1 Corinthians 14:26 and Ephesians 5:19-20).

Our worship to God will include thanksgiving and praise for who He is, what he has done, and what He has promised to do. God gives us clear examples, and even commands in Scripture regarding how our worship should be expressed. As true worshipers, we should not allow our personality or background to determine our obedience. Let’s consider some of the main biblical expressions of worship:

Speaking — “Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness and of your praise all the day long.” Psalm 35:28 (see also Psalm 34:1, 40:5 & 10, 145:21)

Singing — “Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name.” Psalm 30:4 (see also Psalm 32:11, 47:6, 95:1; Isaiah 12:5-6; Colossians 3:16)

Shouting — “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise!” Psalm 66:1-2 (see also Psalm 27:6, 35:27, 47:1, 98:4; 2 Samuel 6:15)

Playing instruments — “Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe! Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” Psalm 150:3-5 (see also Psalm 33:2-3, 71:22, 144:9; 2 Samuel 6:5)

Kneeling — “Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker!” Psalm 95:6 (see also 2 Chronicles 6:13, Luke 22:41)

Lifting up hands — “So I will bless you as long as I live; in your name I will lift up my hands.” Psalm 63:4 (see also Psalm 134:2, 141:2; 1 Timothy 2:8)

Clapping — “Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy!” Psalm 47:1 (see also Psalm 98:8, Isaiah 55:12)

Dancing — “Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King! Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!” Psalm 149:2-3 (see also 2 Samuel 6:14-16; Psalm 30:11,150:4; Jeremiah 31:4, 13)

You may not feel particularly comfortable with expressing your praise, thanksgiving, and adoration in some of the above ways. Good! It’s an opportunity for you to really worship—to do something for God that costs you something, dying to yourself in a wholehearted, obedient response to Him. Great victory and extraordinary liberty come as we are set free from self-consciousness and brought into the God-consciousness of sacrificial praise and worship.

“Through him [Jesus] then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.” Hebrews 13:15

PRAYER

“...pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests...” (Ephesians 6:18 NIV 1984)

Of all the disciplines, prayer can seem like the most familiar. We were created with an awareness of God, and even before we really knew Him, we probably all prayed at some point. However, God’s desire is for more than just our cries for divine help in times of need, and He is certainly not interested in the repetitious chanting of traditional prayers (see Isaiah 29:13). Prayer is intended to be conversation with God, a spiritual dialogue between child and Father, between loving servant and loving Lord.

THE “WHY” AND “HOW” OF PRAYER

There are many reasons why we pray and many ways in which we can and should pray. Not surprisingly, the best instruction comes from Jesus, who said to His disciples:

“Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’” Matthew 6:9-13

This is, of course, “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesus was not confining us to these exact words, but was showing us how to pray:

“Our Father in heaven...” — First and foremost, prayer flows from our relationship with God. He loves it when we come to him crying, “Abba, Father!” (Romans 8:15), reveling in the reality that we belong to Him and that He cares for us.

“hallowed be your name...” — Although He is our Father, we recognize that He is also the Holy God, King of kings and Lord of lords. Prayer and worship are inextricably linked. Our prayer should include specific thanksgiving, praise, and adoration (Psalm 100:4, Philippians 4:6, Colossians 4:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).

“your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...” — Though we will have requests to bring to God, our primary desire should be to see His will done in and through our lives, and beyond us to the ends of the earth. His will is revealed to us as the Holy Spirit speaks to us through the Word—so studying the Bible is essential if we are to grow in effective prayer.

“Give us this day our daily bread...” — In prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God for everything. He takes pleasure in meeting our needs and responding to our Spirit-led requests, as He has promised (see Matthew 7:7- 11, 21:21-22; John 14:12-14, 15:7-8; 1 John 5:14-15). Jesus doesn’t instruct us to pray in terms of “my and me,” but rather “our and us.” Therefore, we are not just to petition God for our own needs, but also for the needs of others (see 1 Timothy 2:1, Romans 8:26-27, James 5:15-16).

“forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors...” — Confession of sin, repentance, and the seeking of forgiveness were part of our conversion and should, where necessary, continue to feature in our prayer life (see Psalm 32:5 and 1 John 1:9).

“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” — We pray that God will lead us into the good that He has for us (Ephesians 2:10) and away from the snares of the enemy. By prayer, we also equip ourselves to resist the attacks of Satan and to advance the Kingdom of God (see Ephesians 6:13-18, 2 Corinthians 1:8-11).

PUTTING PRAYER INTO PRACTICE

If prayer has not been a significant part of your walk with God to this point, consider how that might change in the days ahead. Without making any rash vows that might lead you into a legalistic schedule (and possibly set you up for failure), determine how you might develop your prayer life. Many people find that it is helpful to have a particular time and place to pray (see Psalm 5:3, Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23, Matthew 6:6 and Luke 5:16).

Remember, prayer is conversation with God, so you shouldn’t do all the talking! Ask Him to speak to you, and take the time to listen. Having heard God’s voice, be determined to obey.

FASTING

“But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:17-18

Though most Christians acknowledge the importance of Bible study, worship, and prayer—and engage in these disciplines to varying extents—fasting does not receive the same recognition. However, the practice is evident all the way through the Bible. We see God directing His people to corporate fasts, and the people giving themselves to fasting at critical times. Many of the most prominent individuals in the Bible fasted, including Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, Paul, and Jesus Himself.

Jesus didn’t just say to his disciples, “if you fast,” but rather, “when you fast.” It is assumed that fasting will be part of the lifestyle of those who follow Him. In fact, in Matthew 9:15, Jesus specifically said that His disciples would fast when He—the Bridegroom—was taken from them. So during this time, while we are waiting for the return of the Bridegroom, we are to fast.

WHAT IS FASTING?

Fasting is deliberately abstaining from all food for spiritual purposes. In Luke 4:2, we are told that Jesus “ate nothing during those [forty days of fasting]. And when they were ended, he was hungry.” Since it does not say that he drank nothing or that he was thirsty, we can assume that he continued to drink water. This would be a “normal fast” (except that most fasts will not be for forty days!). Such fasting is not likely to be harmful for people in reasonably good health, and can actually have physical benefits.

Esther 4:16 and Acts 9:9 show instances of “absolute fasts” from all food and drink. These seem exceptional and should probably only be undertaken for short periods at the clear leading of God.

THE PURPOSE OF FASTING

Revelation is necessary for us to engage—and continue—in any spiritual discipline, but it is probably especially important when it comes to fasting, since it can seem so unattractive as a concept and so uncomfortable as an experience! Sometimes Christians fast simply because they feel they “ought” to, or with a completely wrong motive. If our fasting is not unto God, we have missed the point.

Fasting is not a “spiritual hunger strike” by which we hope to gain God’s attention or sympathy and get what we want from Him. It is not a means of proving to Him (or others) how spiritual we are and how much we are willing to suffer. It is a way in which we are able to focus wholly—including physically—on God. Fasting has been described as “praying with your body,” letting the natural yearning for food remind us of our deeper yearning for God, the One who truly sustains and satisfies us.

Much revelation can come through fasting. First, it reveals a lot about us. It is easy to be content when you have everything you want, including a full stomach. When deprived of this, we can feel a lot more than just hungry! If anger, bitterness, jealousy, or frustration are within us, they will surface during fasting. However, those who want to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ will welcome this potential for inner cleansing. David writes, “I... humbled myself with fasting” (Psalm 35:13 - NIV 1984). Whatever is revealed, healing and freedom can be found in Christ.

Also, fasting can give us greater revelation of God. At first allowing our body’s natural cravings to prompt us to reach to God, then gradually finding ourselves freed from those distractions to focus fully on Him, we can enjoy a wonderful season of intimacy, clarity, and breakthrough. Like Anna the prophet (Luke 2:37) and the apostolic company of Antioch (Acts 13:2), our fasting should be an aspect of our worship of God.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 (NIV 1984)

VISION FOR GROWTH

“...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6 NIV 1984)

In His commitment to our maturity, God has graciously given us the spiritual disciplines as channels through which we can know Him, and the Holy Spirit can apply His transforming power to our lives. Let us determine to gratefully embrace these wonderful gifts for His glory.