The Habit Of Faith

-
 Shape Your Life with
the Words of Life

The Christian life, from start to finish, is utterly dependent on

the grace of God. Not only do we come into spiritual life by

sheer grace (Act 18:27; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 2:5), but it is in divine

grace that we continue on (Acts 13:43). It is by God’s grace that

our souls survive through many trials (2 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 4:16),

are strengthened for everyday life (2 Tim. 2:1; Heb. 13:9), and

grow into greater maturity and health (2 Pet. 3:18).

And it is God’s grace that enables us to make choices and

expend effort to seek more of God (1 Cor. 15:10). It is a gift

that we would have the desire for and take action to avail our-

selves of the means of God’s grace—his voice (the word), his

ear (prayer), and his people (fellowship)—with the most basic

principle of grace being the immersing of our lives in his word.

The Word Original

Before we identify the presence of God’s voice in our lives with

the many good habits of taking in his word—whether Bible reading and study, hearing sermons, Scripture meditation and

memorization, and more—first let’s see his word as a general

principle, rather than the specific practices.

Before printing it and binding it and covering it with leather,

consider the concept of God’s word. God speaks. He reveals

himself to us. He communicates with us. His word, as John

Frame says, is “his powerful, authoritative self-expression.”1

Just as the words of a friend are central in revealing his person

to us, so it is with God.

The one who created us—and sustains us moment by mo-

ment (Col. 1:17; Heb. 1:3)—has expressed himself to us in

human words, and it is vital that we listen. The other principal

means of his grace (prayer and fellowship), while equally es-

sential, are not as fundamental as this one. Creation (Gen. 1:3)

and new creation (2 Cor. 4:6) both begin with the voice of God.

He initiates, and does so by speaking. This self-expression of

God is so deep and rich and full that it is not just personal, but

a person.

Location: Ghana

Comments

Post a Comment

COP McKeown has received your message and we'll attend to you Soon. Thank you for messaging us

Popular posts from this blog

The Church As An Army Of God

-
Image
The Church As An Army Of God SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6 EXPOSITION: An army can be defined as a group of people selected and equipped to advance the cause of a nation or kingdom. Thus, to liken the church to an army depicts the church as God’s primary instrument of combat against systems of the world which militate against the reign of godly principles and values. Like an army, the Church exists for both defensive and offensive operations. The offensive operation does not suggest violence, but underscores the constant and needful warfare the church must wage to ‘take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ’. To see the Church as an Army of God is crucial in these times. It projects the primary mission of the Church and appeals to the battle sense of the Church Militant. It is a wake-up call to the reality of the continuous battle against powers of this dark world, spirit of deception and spiritual forces of evil that cause humanity to rebel against G...
Read more

Equipping The Church As An Army

-
Image
Equipping The Church As An Army SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: Ephesians 4:10-14. EXPOSITION: Equipping is a fundamental requirement for battle. It covers the totality of doctrine, principles, values, and physical resources necessary for combat against opposing forces. An equipped soldier is confident of success on the battlefield. This confidence stems from knowledge and faith in the resources they have been endowed with to confront the enemy effectively. Against this backdrop, the Church as an institution is a rallying point and equipping centre where people are made ready for service through purposive teaching and sharing of experience. God has made provisions for the Church to fulfil the equipping mandate. He has endowed her with gifts to equip members with giftings of believers known as the ascension gifts. Our discussion today will help us identify and make optimal use of the resources at our disposal for the equipping mandate. To equip is to make a person adequate, ready, fit, ...
Read more

Equipping The Church Through New Converts And New Members Classes

-
Image
Equipping The Church Through New Converts And New Members Classes 08 Feb 2022 SCRIPTURE REFERENCES: Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 9:26-29. EXPOSITION: The major focus of Vision 2023 is premised on the understanding that the local church is the focal point for most of the church’s spiritual life and developmental activities. Thus, it serves as a training centre for Christians who are discipled to project Christ to the world. Jesus commanded us to go, preach, baptise and to teach the new converts: this is the main source of enlisting people into the Church army of God. Another form of enlistment is through holding the new members class. This is for members who join the church from other denominations or from other locals or districts of CoP. How such members are handled from the onset is very crucial to equipping them as a military squad, small group in possessing the nations. Our text in Acts reveals how Paul, who could be likened to a new member, was rightly assigned to a squa...
Read more