Spiritual Growth Must Be Intentional (****by Rick Warren****)
Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
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The truth is that growth in the human soul requires a commitment to grow. A person must want to grow, decide to grow, and make an effort to grow.
Spiritual growth begins with a decision. It doesn’t have to be a complex decision, but it does have to be sincere. When Jesus’ followers decided to choose his way, they didn’t understand all the implications of their decision. They simply expressed a desire to follow him, and that was the beginning of an exciting journey of the soul. Jesus took that simple but sincere decision and built on it.
In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul offers insight into spiritual growth while speaking to people who already believe: “... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (NIV).
Notice that it says “work out” – not “work on” – your salvation. There is nothing you can do to save yourself spiritually; Christ took care of that by his life, death, and resurrection. The important thing to note is that God has a part in our growth – but so do we. We must make an intentional effort to grow.
Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 (NLT)
*** *** *** ***
The truth is that growth in the human soul requires a commitment to grow. A person must want to grow, decide to grow, and make an effort to grow.
Spiritual growth begins with a decision. It doesn’t have to be a complex decision, but it does have to be sincere. When Jesus’ followers decided to choose his way, they didn’t understand all the implications of their decision. They simply expressed a desire to follow him, and that was the beginning of an exciting journey of the soul. Jesus took that simple but sincere decision and built on it.
In Philippians 2:12-13, Paul offers insight into spiritual growth while speaking to people who already believe: “... continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose” (NIV).
Notice that it says “work out” – not “work on” – your salvation. There is nothing you can do to save yourself spiritually; Christ took care of that by his life, death, and resurrection. The important thing to note is that God has a part in our growth – but so do we. We must make an intentional effort to grow.
© 2008 Purpose Driven Life. All rights reserved. Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and best-known churches. In addition, Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller The Purpose Driven Life and The Purpose Driven Church, which was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th Century. He is also founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for ministers.
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Adorable blog - and I love the songlist.
ReplyDelete;-)
Blessings,
Linda
HEART OF A READY WRITER – Reading Through the Bible in 2009
Great thoughts! Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteI've thought about this many times Tracy. We are to work OUT our salvation. That is a scripture that is commonly skipped over or misunderstood. I think about it everytime I hear myself say "work it out" about anything. I need to think about what my part is for every situation. How can I cooperate with God in every situation in life.
ReplyDeleteHi Tracy,
ReplyDeleteThis sure goes hand in hand with being REAL.
What encouraged me this morning was "spiritual growth begins with a decision." -- God gives us choice whether we serve Him or not. Visiting this morning, encourages me, because I want to keep growing.
Well, I better get ready for church! I have a dress to iron!
Have a wonderful sabbath,
Lea
hi tracy,
ReplyDeleteits really a blessing when u read and to know someone who is so honest in accepting weakness in thier life.. well as to me, i thought and they said im a "mature christian" but then again i look at myself am i really that one? one thing for sure everyone needs to grow more in living with christ..theres no such thing as mature, we are all begginers and needs to crave more and more for the word of GOD.. LETS wak together hand and hand till he comes..
in christ,
francia