We have this series in our church which talks about moving forward in your journey with Jesus. I like it, I guess it's timely.
Do you sometimes feel that you're stuck?
Or maybe, lost? You don't know if you're moving in which direction?
This series is for you.
It gives you indicators for you to determine if you are moving forward in your relationship with Christ.
Here's my key takeaway during the 4th installation of the series.
INDICATOR #4: STABILITY
2 Peter 3:17-18
[17] You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability. [18] But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
2 important things from this verse:
1. Are you Stable in Your relationship with Jesus?
2. How do you improve stability of that relationship?
Are you stable in your relationship with Jesus?
A docked ship, needs to be stable, so as not to be carried away by the current. And the job is done by an anchor, which make fast the boat to the bottom of the sea.
Similarly, us, Christians, are easily carried away in this "wordly sea" if we don't have an anchor, if we are not STABLE.
What causes us to lost our stability?
- False Teaching around us
- Sin that we are still keeping in our hearts
- Trials in life
So how do we improve our STABILITY?
Peter has given us 2 tips in 2 Peter 3:17-18
"...But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ..."
First, GROW IN THE GRACE.
Are you sure you have a correct understanding of Grace?
Yes, grace is usually defined as unmerited favor. But look at these definition.
James Ryle defines it as, "Grace is the empowering Presence of God enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do."
This expand the coverage of grace, not just with your salvation, but also during your SANCTIFICATION.
"...enabling you to be who He created you to be, and to do what He has called you to do.."
Similarly in Titus 2:11-12,
"...For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age..."
Notice that Grace doesn't just cause our salvation, but it also trains us to say NO to sin, and to live a Godly lives.
Now we have our first "anchor" to fasten us to God, this EMPOWERING GRACE, helping us not to be derailed from our spiritual track. What's the second anchor?
Second, GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF JESUS.
Like in any relationship, knowing each other is a must, and a delight, at the same time.
The more you know about your girlfriend, or boyfriend, the more you enjoy the relationship. Easier to pick a gift for her, easier to resolve an issue, easier to make her feel loved, etc.
Similarly, having a deeper understanding of Jesus, makes us easier to follow and improve our relationship with him. You know you can easily depend on Him in whatever situation you are in. You are assured that He is always with you, wherever, whenever, and you know it by heart!
And in the process, communication is important. Pray and read the bible everyday! This is the primary way of deepening our understanding of Jesus.
Joshua 1:7
Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.
And that's our two anchors that fasten us to God, making us stable, amidst this world of false teachings, sin, and challenges in life.
GROW (1) in the grace and (2) in the understanding of Jesus.
And as we grow bigger in our spiritual journey, remember that we can always anchor our lives to someone BIGGER and more STABLE than anything else, GOD.
HE is ALWAYS BIGGER than us, than our sin, than our struggles, than our problems, than our enemies, than our insecurities, than everything in this world.
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