To be born again is simple, costs nothing and is instantaneous. It is what God does for us. it is eternal and irreversible. The question, however, what happens after we are born again? God loves us enough to save us, but He also wants to see us set free from those things that bind us. God wants us to get to know Him, not just know about Him.
You do not get to know someone without spending time with them. So we need to put time aside for God. We discover God's nature and character through His word. So we should be spending time in the Bible.
Some believers become mature and strong in the Lord quickly. Some never experience any real maturity. Why is this so? It is because some want to hang onto their independence. They want God's blessings, but they also want to please self. This leads to stagnation and self indulgence.
Sometime in a believer's life, he must yield himself to the Lordship of Christ unconditionally. That is when spiritual growth begins. We should be committed to a cause, to a person, a church or a ministry. First and foremost, we must be committed to the will of God. We can pray "Your will be done" as in the Lord's prayer, thinking that it applies to the earth generally. That is true. But how about us? Are we saying God's will be done in our lives?
To be born again costs nothing. To be a spiritual man in experience costs everything. Abraham put everything on the altar. Are we willing to do that?
If you say "Yes", you will be tested. God knows you better than you know yourself. I found this out after a few years as new believer. I told God I would do anything He asked. Then someone I respected said he believed God's purpose was such and such. I said, "I will do anything for you except that." I had to wrestle with that for some time, eventually capitulating.
Looking back, I am glad that by God's grace I submitted to His will. I've had a number of similar encounters with God. We need to be kept on our toes! God is not unfair or unjust. One way or another, there is great reward in submitting to God's will. Abraham became the founder of many nations.
If you have an issue with submission to God's will, ask for God's grace. He can change your heart and enable you to accept His will gladly.
You do not get to know someone without spending time with them. So we need to put time aside for God. We discover God's nature and character through His word. So we should be spending time in the Bible.
Some believers become mature and strong in the Lord quickly. Some never experience any real maturity. Why is this so? It is because some want to hang onto their independence. They want God's blessings, but they also want to please self. This leads to stagnation and self indulgence.
Sometime in a believer's life, he must yield himself to the Lordship of Christ unconditionally. That is when spiritual growth begins. We should be committed to a cause, to a person, a church or a ministry. First and foremost, we must be committed to the will of God. We can pray "Your will be done" as in the Lord's prayer, thinking that it applies to the earth generally. That is true. But how about us? Are we saying God's will be done in our lives?
To be born again costs nothing. To be a spiritual man in experience costs everything. Abraham put everything on the altar. Are we willing to do that?
If you say "Yes", you will be tested. God knows you better than you know yourself. I found this out after a few years as new believer. I told God I would do anything He asked. Then someone I respected said he believed God's purpose was such and such. I said, "I will do anything for you except that." I had to wrestle with that for some time, eventually capitulating.
Looking back, I am glad that by God's grace I submitted to His will. I've had a number of similar encounters with God. We need to be kept on our toes! God is not unfair or unjust. One way or another, there is great reward in submitting to God's will. Abraham became the founder of many nations.
If you have an issue with submission to God's will, ask for God's grace. He can change your heart and enable you to accept His will gladly.
