Monday, October 27 How is it that you are turning back again?—Gal. 4:9. Christians in Galatia needed to check on the depth of their faith and to appreciate their spiritual freedom. By means of his sacrifice, Jesus had opened the way for those exercising faith in him to come to know God in a most extraordinary way—they could become sons of God! To remain in that most blessed relationship, the Galatians would have to reject the teachings of Judaizers, who were insisting that they observe the Mosaic Law. Why, uncircumcised Gentiles in the congregations had never even been under the Law! Jews and Gentiles alike needed to make spiritual progress. This involved recognizing that they could not establish their righteousness through the Mosaic Law arrangement. The apostle Paul’s counsel to the Galatians was recorded for a purpose: to prevent true Christians in any period from turning their backs on the riches of Bible truth and returning to the things behind. w13 3/15 3:3, 4 *** w13 3/15 p. 13 - Having “Come to Know God”—What Now? *** We can compare our spiritual growth to the physical growth of a tree. A tree may grow to an amazing size, especially when its root system is deep or extensive. After the initial growth spurt of such a tree stops, the tree still grows but not as noticeably. During our initial period of Bible study, we may quickly grow spiritually and then get baptized. Those in the congregation happily notice our progress. Nevertheless, we still need to grow in faith and knowledge “to a full-grown man, to the measure of stature that belongs to the fullness of the Christ.” (Eph. 4:13) Thus, we progress, as it were, from a tiny sprout to a mature Christian, a sturdy and well-developed tree. May we never become complacent in our relationship with our God. Instead, we should all review our spiritual growth from time to time to ensure that we are continuing to grow in our relationship with our loving Father, Friend, and God—Jehovah.—Read 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6. (2 Corinthians 13:5, 6) 5 Keep testing whether you are in the faith; keep proving what you yourselves are. Or do you not recognize that Jesus Christ is in union with you? Unless you are disapproved. 6 I truly hope you will recognize that we are not disapproved. ************************************************************************************************************ Bush or Tree ? What is the difference between a person who relies only on himself and a person who has learned to turn to God for help? Its not that one will do bad things while the other one will do good things. The self-reliant person may be a fine, upstanding person. The difference is the he is like a bush growing in the desert. If he has only himself to rely on, when he exhausts his internal resources he runs the risk of running dry and withering. But the man who turns to God is like a tree planted by a stream. What he shares with the world is replenished from a source beyond himself, so he never runs dry. (Psalm 1:1-3) 1 Happy is the man who does not walk according to the advice of the wicked And does not stand on the path of sinners And does not sit in the seat of scoffers. 2 But his delight is in the law of Jehovah, And he reads His law in an undertone day and night. 3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, A tree that produces fruit in its season, The foliage of which does not wither. And everything he does will succeed. What happens when a car traveling 100mph/160kph mph runs into a tree. The car is totaled but the tree comes through unscathed. Often with no visible damage at all. If we make ourselves spiritually strong like that tree, Satan can come at us with everything hes got and we too will come through it unscathed. But just like the car, Satan will be utterly defeated and soon be completely destroyed. Have a great day and go through your checklist thoroughly today, The Will of Jehovah never takes you to where the power of Jehovah will not protect you.
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 05:35:18 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015