Amen.....growth and maturity......and the fruit/works come from the faith and salvation one already possesses in Christ....the results of that is.....
saved UNTO GOOD WORKS.....NOT SAVED BY GOOD WORKS!!!!!!
saved UNTO GOOD WORKS.....NOT SAVED BY GOOD WORKS!!!!!!
in times past i was probably on the ten most wanted list according to my sins, because i was simply a seedling in the faith, not strong enough to bear the fruit yet, But i cant remember even at my worst ever feeling condemned, or like i wasnt good enough for Jesus.
as time has passed and i kept from denying the things that make it evident we are to do the word, even though i couldnt say i was doing it, i kept accepting the truth of Jesus even when i didnt measure up, and the word is powerful and faithful enough to work in me daily, still have not ever felt lost or condemned and still am not perfect, but the man i was before is gone, and something new has come forth in my life. all praises to God, in Jesus name. there is power in His word, to keep us from condemnation, and to free us from the grasp of sin.......we simply persevere in belief that the word creates in us. Not always easy but man it sure leaves a heart like ive never Known before, and couldnt have ever acchieved on my own. Makes the warnings Look different as if they are meant for life, to guide me in safety rather than oppress me. theres comfort, reprove, correction, forgiveness, provision, Life, assurance and all the rest in Gods word. Jesus won my heart and im a fool for His word.
im not sure this will make sense to anyone, but the best thing paul ever said was
phillipians 3:7 -15 " But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; 11If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. "
God bless bro, each day we just walk by faith whether a seedling or a tree, Jesus is a goal were not gonna reach, but we have a goal.