Progression or Regression
with kind permission of Danny Hahlbohm inspired-art.com
© 2013 Danny Hahlbohm, all rights reserved by the artist
(study – 3)
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Many passages in scripture are tortured and abused by unscriptural interpretations,
Many parts of the bible are misunderstood or distorted by men’s wrong perceptions,
Many sections of God’s Word are not rightly divided – resulting in much confusion.
Divergent standards often reflect a deep-rooted adherence to man-made religiosity,
As Scripture is taken and unnaturally twisted or misrepresented or spiritualized.
Too often Christians read into the Scriptures what they think it says,
Too often Christians rely on feelings – instead to taking God’s Word as fact,
Too often Christians are moved by circumstances – instead of taking God at his Word.
If only believers would take at face value what the Word of God actually says.
For instance….. when a man is born again he receives some tremendous privileges.
When an unbeliever trusts Christ as savior he is given a wonderful new position,
– but how few really understand or even accept this..
- he is made a Son of God – and even made a joint heir with Christ Jesus
- he is given a new position in God’s family – one that is in union with Christ Himself
- he receives the presence of the Spirit – into his heart – eternally
- he is seen by the Father as perfect– as perfect as Christ because of His perfection
- we are loved and accepted in the Beloved Son of the Father – the Lord Jesus
- we are forever attached to God’s righteousness and God’s grace
- nothing can cause us to lose our eternal position in Christ ….
These are just a few of the many declared, scriptural facts,
These are truths that are not found anywhere – they are only found in scripture
As a born again believer we have to trust God’s Word is true… period,
How foolish to adhere to man-made doctrine or our own false perceptions.
These truths can never be Acquired due to what we Think or how we Feel
These truths can never be Lost due to how we Feel or what we Think
Bottom line is that God’s Word is Truth – to be believed as Scriptural Fact…..
Every single believer is as perfect in God’s eyes as His own dearly beloved Son -
Because God sees every believer as In Christ….i.e. in union with Christ.
My four year old granddaughter who accepted Jesus as her savior last December
Has exactly the same privileges as the apostle Paul, Peter, John or James
She has all the above – and more –
And so does every born-again child of God -
So does every sinner that has ever believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior -period.
But for every believer this birth is only the first step on the journey of a lifetime,
A journey that requires us to Grow –
A journey that requires us to Grow in Grace –
A journey that requires us to Grow in the Knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the work that the Holy Spirit does in the life of every believer
This is His work in little Leah as well as the apostle Paul –
This is His work in you as well as in me.
This is the Spirit’s lifetime work of all those that trust in the Lord Jesus,
And this work continues until death or the rapture.
Oh – many Christians start well…. at least that is how it seems to them!!
But unless the truths of scripture are assimilated within – things start to go wrong..
Unless there is a daily living – as outlined in Scripture –things will go wrong.
The reason ?
Many passages in scripture are tortured and abused by unscriptural interpretations,
Many parts of the bible are misunderstood or distorted by men’s wrong perceptions,
Many sections of God’s Word are not rightly divided – resulting in much confusion.
Divergent standards often reflect a deep-rooted adherence to man-made religiosity,
As scripture is taken and unnaturally twisted, misrepresented or spiritualized.
Too often Christians read into the scriptures what they think it says,
Too often Christians rely on feelings – instead to taking God’s Word as fact,
Too often they’re influenced by circumstances – instead of the Word of God’s.
If only believers would take at face value what the Word of God actually says.
What is shocking, as you read the Word, is to realize there is no ‘holiday’ in growth,
We either continue to grow in grace through the teaching or correction of the Spirit,
Of we regress.. We move backward from approaching maturity – back to babyhood.
Read Hebrews …
Read Galatians ..
Read and study the Word if you disagree…..
Like my little granddaughter I trusted the Lord Jesus as a very young child..
Over my life there have been times when I grew in grace and knowledge of Christ,
– wonderful times of close fellowship when I advanced in grace upon grace.
There are other times that I slipped into carnal ways –and I regressed in my walk,
– troubleous times of rebellion and discontent – lasting many years….
- times I now see when I both quenched the Spirit and grieved the Spirit of God.
The trouble was that at those times of declination – I did not realise it…
And I certainly did not like this to be pointed out to me – even by those I loved.
– even by those that really loved me!!!
But one day I was brought to a sharp halt
– by James 5:19-20
- and 1John 5:14-17
Every believer is on one path or the other –
Every believer is either Growing or Regressing – there is NO middle ground.
What about you?
Thank God for 1 John chapter 1
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- Progression or Regression - part 3
- Full Study Index for ‘A Study on GROWING in GRACE’
- A Study : GROWING in GRACE
Elizabeth Haworth
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