I Have to Admit…
t’s getting better. Growth is great! In 2 Peter 3:18, the apostle wrote, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ…” (ESV). The weakest time in a disciple’s life ought to be his first days as a Christian; those immediately following belief and baptism. Christian living is supposed to be progressive. By that I mean that walking along “the straight and narrow” is living in the joyful confidence of God’s grace in Christ while facing first one, then another, and another test and trial until finally comes the end and rest, peace and reward. It’s a growth process–stress on the word process. Paul wrote, “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…” (Ephesians 4:15 ESV). One does not accomplish so lofty a goal overnight!
I vividly recall the struggles of my earliest days as a Christian. I longed, more than anything else, for consistency. One day I would have great strength agains my bitterest temptations, and would feel utterly holy. Another day I would be weak and feel utterly sinful. I was being tossed to and fro in my weakness, but by the grace of God I did not leave the faith, and prayed daily for consistency. While I still need greater consistency in my walk with God, it has gotten much better. I want to encourage everyone to come to Christ and keep at it. Don’t lose faith, because of the difficulties. If you fall, as they say, fall forward; get back up and keep “pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14 ESV).
The Christian life is comparable to a “mighty rolling river.” It gets ”richer, fuller, deeper” as it goes, and like a hymn that we sing: “sweeter as the years go by.” I welcome you to post your encouraging comments about blessings and triumphs in your spiritual walk with Christ, and impart to us how you have grown over the years as a Christian.
—JLP
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