Knowing Christ

One of my problems is that I make Christianity more difficult than it actually is. In my mind, I think it is like a complicated mathematical process or deep philosophical inquiry. In actuality, Christianity is simply about knowing Christ.

I love John 15. We are told to abide, or remain, in Christ. Then, Jesus gives us a simple strategy for how to abide in Him: abiding in his love and his word, which is evidenced by our love for others.

The New Testament is filled with exhortations to simply know Christ.

Paul tells us in Ephesians that the goal of the church to is to work together to grow in unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God (Ephesians 4).

Peter tells us to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Peter 3).

Both Paul and Peter tell us in Colossians and 2 Peter, respectively, that the knowledge of Christ is what produces spiritual growth and character.

We all want to experience the fruit of the Spirit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. However, we think that these fruits will come by some strategy of our own making. Fruit is not produced by the work of our hands (or wills). Again, in John 15, Jesus clearly tells us that his Father is the gardener...we are merely the branches. Fruit will naturally appear when we remain, abide, in Christ. On Sunday, we looked at the exhortation in 1 Thessalonians, where Paul tells us it is God's will that we be sanctified (made more like Jesus). And then, in the end, Paul tells us that it is God who sanctifies us.  

What is your means for knowing Christ? How are you abiding in Christ?

I hope to know Christ better today than I did yesterday, and I hope I know him better tomorrow than I do today.

Immediately

If tradition holds true, many of us are trying to start new habits in this New Year.

There are many reasons for self-development, some positive and some not so positive. Some people seek personal improvement out of negative motivations of pride, greed, or lust. Others have a loftier goal of becoming a better person, more loving, or more giving.

As Christians, our goal, that to which we have been called, is seek changes in our life that would make us more like Christ. There are two very importance aspects to become Christlike: it is impossible without the working of the Holy Spirit in your life (2 Corinthians 3:18), and it is impossible without a spirit of obedience within you (1 Peter 2:21-24).

Reading Matthew 4 this morning, I was struck by the word immediately. Matthew used the word twice in the passage of Jesus calling his first disciples (Matthew 4:18-22). Twice Jesus called two sets of brothers to follow him, and twice it says that they immediately followed him.

I had to pause and ask myself, "Am I immediately following my Savior?" At True Life, we talk about being a Worshiper of Jesus, a Disciple of Jesus, a Servant of Jesus, and a Missionary of Jesus. But, to be honest, a Christ follower cannot be a true worshiper of Jesus without being his disciple, his servant, or his missionary.

As we read the Bible, we are confronted constantly with opportunities to immediately follow our Savior. The Bible contains attitudes and behaviors that we must stop as well as attitudes and behaviors that we must develop. The question is when. When will I stop? When will I start? How about now.

Your immediate obedience reveals two things. First, it reveals your spirit of obedience that the Apostle Paul described in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. However, it also displays your faith and hope in Jesus. By acting in immediate obedience to the commands of scripture and the promptings of the Spirit, you are showing that you really do believe that God is both able and willing to empower you to obey so that you will be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29).

With Joy by Grace,

Many of us are starting something new today. Perhaps it is a diet or exercise plan, or possibly a plan to start reading your Bible on a regular basis. Remember, if it was easy to do these things, you would already be doing them. So, you have to begin by thinking rightly about starting new habits. Here are some tips that may help you reach the goals that you have set for yourself:

1. Start with the right mindset

Why do you want to start this new habit? Do you need to start it? Do you believe that you can achieve it? What will be the benefit of starting this new habit? Is it worth the work of creating a new habit?

2. Start the new habit right now

There is never going to be time in the day to add something new. So, stop what you are doing, and do it now. Well, perhaps you want to start exercising, and you are reading this at work. Then set a time right now when you will begin this new habit. Whenever the new habit comes to mind, you should do it then!

3. Let others know what you are doing

When you tell others, two things happen: 1) they will ask you about your progress, and 2) you will want to share with them some progress! It is especially helpful if you have a partner in this process. You can help each other develop this new habit.

4. Stick with it

Are you starting something new today?

It takes 4 weeks for a new habit to become comfortable and another 4 weeks for it to become a part of your routine. Beware of the "just this once" lie. Until it is part of your routine, be dogmatic about your new practice.

5. Ask God for help

This is true for every aspect of life. Well, unless you are wanting take up some negative habits.

For those seeking to develop new spiritual habits, here are some addition things to keep in mind:

1. Spiritual maturity is not automatic

You can be a Christian a very long time and never become mature (Hebrews 3:12-13).

2. Spiritual maturity is a process

You will not wake up one day as a spiritually mature Christian. (2 Peter 3:18)

3. Spiritual maturity requires discipline

You will have to train yourself in a similar way an athlete trains his/her body (1 Timothy 4:7)

I hope these help, and I hope you are successful in the development of your new habits.

With Joy by Grace,