Growing In Grace
As believers we understand that we have moved from the Letter of the Law to the Spirit of the Law when we became born again.
2 Corinthians 3:6 "6 who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament — not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life."
When our heart is right, then our actions will be an outpouring of that inner Spiritual beauty.
If our focus is more, if not entirely, on the physical life, then we are neglecting the most important element of the Christian walk, and that is the heart.
Matthew 15:18-20
"18 But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”
Matthew 15:8
"8 ‘This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far away from Me."
Anyone can keep up a pretense for a time, even a lifetime of outward good works, but they will not be able to sustain it forever. Those who are convinced works are more important than anything else are attempting to appear good in the eyes of others. We are not called to make others elevate us, we are called to honor Christ in all our ways that He might be glorified.
We have nothing to prove to anyone else. Our attitude is very different when Christ is the reason for all we do, than if we are fixated on being admired by men. The desire to be elevated only produces anger and bitterness when our efforts fail to impress others.
Matthew 7:21-23
21 “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. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’
Those who focus first on the outward actions before the Spiritual, are placing the cart before the horse. Our actions do not gain us salvation nor do they cleanse us.
When the heart is right, then the outward actions of obedience will be right.
Every believer is continually growing, some faster than others, but everyone grows. God will continue to work in our lives. As His children we are subject to many circumstances that will develop and mature us. If we think we can get away with disobedience against our Father without consequences, think again.
Hebrews 12:6 "FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES."
The consequences of disobedience can be lifelong. God will not hear the prayers of those who ignore Him.
Isaiah 59:2 "But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
1 Peter 3:7
"7 You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with [a]someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered."
To grow in holiness we must first desire to be cleansed and changed by God. Without the desire, God will not work in us. He may send us difficulties to cause us to desire His help, but He will never force anyone.
I wonder how often the answer to our troubles was just around the corner, but were impeded because of our stubbornness?
Do we want to grow in holiness, seeing the blessings of our prayers answered, then we must confess our attitude, listen to God for the answer and then obey when it comes.
