Setting The Bar Higher

"As water never rises above its level, so what we do never rises above what we are...We shall never take people one hair's breadth beyond our own spiritual attainment. We may point to higher things, but we shall only take them as far as we ourselves have gone.   -W.H. Griffith Thomas.

Where are you in your relationship with God today? Do you feel as close as you should be? Is your faith in the Lord growing deeper each day? When He speaks, are you inspired to go? Do you feel the need to strengthen your fellowship with Him every day? Is the number one priority in your life to worship Him?

Yes, these are certainly challenging questions. But, they exhibit a lot about the state of our relationship with Jesus. Plainly speaking, are you growing in Christ? Currently, we are bombarded with talk about church growth, building progressively larger churches with ever-increasing crowds of people. True, this is all well and good to some extent. But, more importantly than church growth is: individual, personal, and spiritual growth.

The apostle Peter raises the issue of growth in 1 Peter 2:1-3. Here, Peter writes to the Christians, after having told them in 1 Peter 1:23 that they had been born again by the power of God's Word. As a result, he issues puts them to the task on this (1 Peter 2:1).

Peter communicates three commands to the believers. Remember, he's not talking to the unsaved at this point. He's talking strictly to believers, or those who have been born again. The first is that as believers they should put off any malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of any kind (1 Peter 2:1). God summons us as believers to a higher standard. As such, He desires that believers should not conform themselves to this world, but instead transform themselves through the renewal of their understanding.

Secondly, we should longing to learn more about God. We should have a hunger to know Him better, or grow closer to Him. Believers should have a passion for the Word of God and Jesus Christ. This might be difficult for many to do in our modern world with all of its energy and attention sapping distractions. But, he who is truly born again, Peter says, will crave these things (1 Peter 2:2).

Lastly, when you have turned away from the wrong things, and truly have a passion for God, then you are ready for the third command. What is it? To learn as much as possible about God. It's at this point that you grow in salvation. Look, if you're not growing in you salvation, then you're wasting away spiritually.

Peter says, "People you were born again by the Word of God. But now, grow in respect to your salvation" (1 Peter 2:1). And that's what this life starts turning into; one of increasing growth in the knowledge of God. We start to undeniably see Him as the greatest treasure in all the world.

Maybe some of you are thinking, "Is it too late to learn?" "Is it too late for me?" No, it's never too late to passionately learn, and grow in your knowledge of Our Lord!

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:18; Hebrews 6:1; 1 Timothy 4:15; Philippians 1:9; Matthew 6:33

Prayer: Holy Father, I love you more than I can ever say. Thank you for all you have done and all you will do. As I go out into the world today, please guide me so I may show the love and mercy you have given me. Amen

May God bless you!

Amy Lynn