Flowing and growing

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Sanctification”

Our Bible verse for today: “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (NIV)

Our thought for today: “Flowing and growing”

In 1992 Dr. Darrell Robinson published a little book that has become a classic in the Southern Baptist world. The title is “The Doctrine of Salvation. “For more than thirty years it has been required reading in many Southern Baptist college and seminary classes. It is also used in various study programs for lay people, and by preachers and teachers as source material for Bible studies.

In clear and easy to understand terms Dr. Robinson explains the doctrine of salvation from A-Z – from Holy Spirit conviction, to new birth, to a lifetime of spiritual growth, and finally to eternal rewards in heaven. It’s all there.

I love the illustration he used to explain the small beginnings of our spirituality, followed by the long winding path God takes us along in life as we grow and increase in spiritual stature, finally arriving in heaven to a dramatic conclusion:

“God continues to work in the believer so we grow to be more like Christ until He finally glorifies us in heaven. His work in us is much like the flow of the mighty Mississippi River. Its source is a small trickling stream near the Great Lakes. It becomes a mighty river, emptying its waters in the Gulf of Mexico. It does not move in a straight line from its source to its mouth. Instead, it winds and curves around mountains and barriers until it makes its way to its destination. God moves in our lives, working in all things for good to accomplish His purpose. He works through the good and the bad; He works through the triumphs and the trials in our lives to make us like Christ.”

If you are doing this right – if you are living the Christian life well and if you are doing your part in this process of progressive sanctification by cooperating with the work of the Holy Spirit in your life, you will ultimately arrive in heaven like a mighty flowing river of spiritual maturity. That’s the word picture Dr. Robinson was creating for us and it is the truth Paul was teaching in Philippians 1:6 (above). God began a good work in you at the time of your salvation. You were just a spiritual baby then but you were ready to grow. Throughout your life you learn, you grow stronger, you grow in spiritual stature, until the day you arrive in heaven as the person you will be for eternity (more about this tomorrow).

Placing your faith in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins is the most important event in your life. That’s the beginning, and nothing is more important than that. The second most important event in your life is growing in spiritual maturity. Nothing else in life is more important than salvation and spiritual growth because those two spiritual realities determine eternity for you.

Since this is so important, there is much more that needs to be said about this business of progressive sanctification and therefore we will continue the discussion into the new month.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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