Let’s consider five different words used to describe the Lord’s people in the Scriptures. These words look at our responsibilities from different viewpoints — and by studying each of them, we can have a more balanced understanding of life in Christ.
Few of us will ever have the opportunity to give our lives for God in a public martyrdom. But what God wants is the willingness to do all that we do — both the “big” things and the “little” ones — as if we were doing them for Him personally.
The things that produce most of our spiritual growth are those that happen on ordinary days — not the great choices we make on momentous occasions, but the day-to-day decisions to do the good things we know we ought to do. So let’s “seize the day.”
“Stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter,” wrote Paul. The church in the apostolic age is a pattern for us. If a congregation is to be “of Christ,” it must follow His instructions.
Let’s take the time to review some of the most basic concepts relating to the Bible, God, salvation, and the church. We’ll handle specific issues in these areas better if we’ve first grounded ourselves in sound general principles on these topics.
Nothing the devil offers us comes close to being as wonderful and joyous as the ability to pillow our head at night with a good conscience. So let’s be brave in the realm of spiritual things. At all costs, let’s do what we know is right.
As we study the Scriptures, let’s be thankful for the help of God that comes to us through His word. God has revealed His wonderful mind to us so that we might grow in strength and freedom. In God’s truth there is help for living in a hard world.
When we see what God sees about us, we will see some things that need to be changed, of course. Making these changes may require some pain and difficulty. But even with the imperfections, what God sees about us is that we are people worth saving.
Let’s decide to have the perspective that Paul had. Whatever regrets we may have, let’s choose to look at those things in such a way that we will be more greatly motivated to serve God faithful and gratefully the rest of our lives.
We need to have a deep, abiding respect for God’s truth. No matter how powerful it is, the truth will not do us any good if we do not receive it properly. It will be good if we make the coming week a week of growth in the quality of our hearing.
