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Fixing our eyes on what is permanent, the written word of God, we continue to meditate upon His promise, that we may hear His voice, speak into our lives, to bring transformation – May the Lord bless you from Zion; and may you see the peace, the prosperity of Jerusalem, all the days of your life. [Psalm 128:5,6] The blessing of God, as we have been studying earlier, is connected to the call of God upon your life, by which His promise also becomes your experience in life. And an indicator of it would be your spiritual growth, or a growing up in your experience of salvation, for it is the sum total of all the blessings of God that are in Christ, and come to you by the power of the Spirit.
Growing – in your spiritual experience:
So put away all malice, and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. Like newborn infants, crave for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation, If indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. [1 Peter 2:1-3] The discord and strife, both within and without, all over the world, can cause you to throw up your hands in despair, feeling helpless at the sheer magnitude and viciousness of it all, as it seems to be only increasing with no end in sight. But it all boils down to the one basic problem that corrupts the soul of every man in this fallen world. And that is ‘sin’, and the root of sin is unbelief, leading to a dependence on self, and the rejection of God. And you will find that sin can and has invariably affected every aspect of your life. But it is also why the fullness of salvation, or growing up into every aspect of it, can see it all being countered victoriously, as you experience the blessing of God, to taste and see His goodness in your life. Salvation comes to you as a seed though, holding within it, even as it is sown in a soil that is receptive, has everything within it, to develop into a plant or tree, the ultimate expression of it being the fruit that you can taste and experience it’s ’sweet goodness, that satisfies and gladdens your soul.
Godly growth & increase – the source:
Growth comes from Him is what the apostle Paul sums up to say, So neither he who plants, or he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [1 Corinthians 3:7] And also it is a growth that is godly, according to His plan and purpose for your life. It is the reason for the prayer of the apostle John concerning you being “May you prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers”. [3 John 2]
Salvation – the ultimate health cover!:
Salvation covers every aspect of your life, that you may experience a godly growth, physically, financially, emotionally, in the work of your hands, to name just a few. There are principles involved that come into play when it concerns your physical growth; the factors being, a good diet, exercise and restful sleep. And when the problems of the day, disturb your rest at night, you always have a place to go – the Savior, who gives rest to the weary, that you may say as the psalmist does -I will lie down and sleep in peace; for you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety. Salvation thus, needs to become an experience in you that grows day by day to be the blessing of God in your life. It is how godly growth takes place in you.
Discipline – for the purpose of godliness:
But as the prophet Jonah has declared – Those who go after worthless idols, forfeit the grace that could be theirs. [Jonah 2: 8] For the days are evil, and the devil would love to sidetrack you into following empty pursuits. And it is why the apostle Paul cautions young Timothy with sound advice that comes to you and I this day – Have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. [1 Timothy 4:7] There is also a discipline involved, for redeeming the time is a very vital cog in the wheel, that you may not lose out on the opportunities that God has given to accomplish His purpose for your life, in your limited time here on earth. And it has two parts to it of varying degrees of importance – For bodily discipline is of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life, and also for the life to come. [Verse 8] You can be of good to others, only when you are of good health. And it is why being disciplined in taking care of yourself physically, is beneficial and necessary, to be the platform or channel of your spiritual discipline, godliness that is of greater profit, for it extends even into the world to come.
Take effort – begin with the word:
It needs you to take effort, as you begin by turning to the word of God, for in the beginning was the word. And it is what the apostle Peter has laid out in bidding you to crave pure spiritual milk or the incorruptible word of God. Even as a new born baby does, for it desires and knows nothing but the sustenance that it receives from its mother. Your attitude towards the word of God therefore, determines your appetite for it. And when you find that it is not what it needs to be there is always a solution when you depend on the grace of God. He will change your attitude, emphasizing the all-important truth that you and I need God.
The right attitude towards God’s word:
The psalmist describes it well, having tasted it all in his own life. [Psalms 19:7-10] The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul. [Verse 19] His word revives you, when you may be sitting in a dark corner, pulled down by the vagaries of life, thinking that all is lost. But hear the Savior’s words to arise and shine for His glory -The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. [John 6: 63] It was what raised the dead Lazarus to life. And you and I who were dead in our transgressions, by His word have been made alive, revived in Christ. And continuing to meditate upon the word of God, you will grow in your experience of the blessing of salvation, to break free of what is keeping you bound, even as Samson who was once bound by ropes, broke free in the reviving power of the Lord as he snapped the ropes off his arms like a thread. [Judges 16:12] There is nothing that God cannot do. And as you yield to Him, as clay in the hand of the potter, may He develop in your heart, an appetite for what is godly, and an attitude towards His word, that leads to the blessing of experiencing godly growth. In the Name of Christ Jesus Amen.
