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Progress
is a function of change. When God is doing a work in your life he
will often upset the apple cart. Many of the prophets in the Old
Testament were moved by God from one location to another; from one
state of grace to another. Abraham left kith and kin and went out
not knowing whither he was going. The conniving Jacob becomes the
meek Israel after he leaves his homeland because of fear of Esau whose
birthright he stole. In the New Testament we see the Apostle Paul
experiencing great change in philosophy, in allegiance, and in belief
because of his relationship with Christ. Peter who denies Christ
at his trial, in his first letter, readily accepts crucifixion.
So how does God initiate change? How do we make progress in the
spiritual life? To begin with we must be born again. Most people who receive Christ into their lives recognize that change is inevitable in order to make progress. They know they can no longer stay in the sin that kept them in fear and bondage all their lives. They realize they must start reading the word of God, going to church, and cleaning up their acts. This process can take years. They usually find a method that works for them and if they stay committed to the method, they grow in the grace and knowledge of God. But over the course of time, if God is pleased with their sacrifice and dedication, he will send a test or trial to move them into a new relationship with him. Just like Abraham and Jacob and Paul and Peter, he will cause a whirlwind to occur in order to initiate progress and change. Methods are important for growth, but methods will not bring you to your final destination. Only the Spirit of God can do that. Religion, for example, is a method to connect with God, but religion will not bring you to your final destination. Your set time for prayer, bible study, and times of fasting is good, but they will only point you to God and prepare you for God but without faith it is impossible to please God. . The Law of Moses is good, but Law will not bring you to God. We must be led of the Spirit. We must live by grace unto good works and in order to be led of the Spirit, God will often move the Christian, sometimes gently, sometimes not so gently, to get the person to live by faith and walk in the Spirit. So if your method for progress is no longer reaping the benefits it once did, pray for God to initiate change that may be difficult at best in order for you to continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of God. If your method is still producing fruit, stay with the method and when the time is right, God will produce a whirlwind and move you in order for you to reach your final destination. Just be assured that God is in control and desires only the very best for you no matter what way that happens to occur. Amen
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