We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:9-12)
Sometimes we treat God’s grace like a watermelon. You need a watermelon, so you go to the store, pick out a watermelon, and check it off your list. “I got it—one watermelon!” God’s grace? Got it!
But that’s not how it works. God’s grace isn’t like one watermelon. It’s like a watermelon seed that God plants in your heart. He wants that seed to be watered and nurtured. He wants that seed to grow and grow and produce fruit and more fruit. Make sense? God’s grace is alive in your heart. The seed is there. So what do you need? More of God’s Word to keep growing and growing…
What do you think happens if you separate yourself from God’s Word? A pastor once visited a member who had stopped coming to church. He showed up on his doorstep and asked him, “If you were to die tonight, where would you go?” Talk about getting right to the heart of the matter! Do you know what that member answered? “I’ve been pretty good, so I think I’ll go to heaven.” The pastor boldly said, “That’s the wrong answer. Heaven isn’t about being good. It’s through faith in Jesus.” Do you see what happened? When that man separated himself from the gospel, he started trusting in himself: “I can do it. I’m good enough.” He forgot God’s grace!
We need God’s grace every single day of our lives. As you hear God’s Word, keep growing. Keep growing in your knowledge of God’s will. Keep growing in living a life worthy of the Lord and pleasing to him. Keep bearing fruit in every good work. Keep being strengthened with God’s power. Keep giving joyful thanks to God the Father, who has given you an inheritance in heaven through faith in Jesus. The seed has been planted in your heart. Keep growing…
Dear Holy Spirit, we need you to work in our hearts so we can keep growing in our faith as Christians. Water us again and again with God’s Word and lead us to bear fruit in every good work. Amen.
Comments