"To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."
What is God's calling? It's a calling to Himself and to His family. It means we are heirs, children, priests and kings. It is perfect and complete. It's a statement that teaches us who we are and what we have yet to become.
As Paul talks about the Thessalonians faith in the midst of trials and the inevitable punishment the people afflicting them, he says that he always prays that the Thessalonian believers would walk worthy of God's calling. Why would he pray this? If the Thessalonians are already called God's children and a kingdom of priests, do they really have to attain to anything more?
The issue isn't about attaining. The issue is about living out what you truly are: righteous, perfect, complete in Christ. If you are a believer, you have a satisfaction in Christ that will grow as your faith grows in Him. As you become filled with Jesus on a regular basis, your desires change from being inward focused to outward focused (i.e. - you desire that Jesus will be viewed as preeminent in your life, not your own self).
But, how can we really live out the what God commands of us? The answer: just as our calling is given by God's grace, so is living it out. You and I cannot do anything apart from the supernatural work of God in our lives. Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15). Verses 11-12 make this point clear. Paul prays that God will make us worthy of the calling by His grace.
So, do you desire to maximize the glory of God in your life? Do you have great resolves for good and yet become dissatisfied with the fact that you're not carrying it out (Rom 7)? If so, stop and meditate on these verses. Who do you view the main agent of change in your life? If your answer focuses on you, repent. Turn to Christ now and submit to God! Run to Him. Then, preach the truths of the gospel to yourself. When you're focused on Christ's work in you, the Spirit births greater desires and passions in you so that you cannot help but serve God!
"Dear Lord, strenghten us by Your grace. We are weak, but You are strong. We are Your children, but so often we fail to live out our calling. Help us, Father, to truly look to Christ and depend on Him for every desire and ability. Thank You for the Cross and the blessings that proceed from it. We praise You and love You."
As Paul talks about the Thessalonians faith in the midst of trials and the inevitable punishment the people afflicting them, he says that he always prays that the Thessalonian believers would walk worthy of God's calling. Why would he pray this? If the Thessalonians are already called God's children and a kingdom of priests, do they really have to attain to anything more?
The issue isn't about attaining. The issue is about living out what you truly are: righteous, perfect, complete in Christ. If you are a believer, you have a satisfaction in Christ that will grow as your faith grows in Him. As you become filled with Jesus on a regular basis, your desires change from being inward focused to outward focused (i.e. - you desire that Jesus will be viewed as preeminent in your life, not your own self).
But, how can we really live out the what God commands of us? The answer: just as our calling is given by God's grace, so is living it out. You and I cannot do anything apart from the supernatural work of God in our lives. Without Christ, we can do nothing (John 15). Verses 11-12 make this point clear. Paul prays that God will make us worthy of the calling by His grace.
So, do you desire to maximize the glory of God in your life? Do you have great resolves for good and yet become dissatisfied with the fact that you're not carrying it out (Rom 7)? If so, stop and meditate on these verses. Who do you view the main agent of change in your life? If your answer focuses on you, repent. Turn to Christ now and submit to God! Run to Him. Then, preach the truths of the gospel to yourself. When you're focused on Christ's work in you, the Spirit births greater desires and passions in you so that you cannot help but serve God!
"Dear Lord, strenghten us by Your grace. We are weak, but You are strong. We are Your children, but so often we fail to live out our calling. Help us, Father, to truly look to Christ and depend on Him for every desire and ability. Thank You for the Cross and the blessings that proceed from it. We praise You and love You."
1 comment:
(you desire that Jesus will be viewed as preeminent in your life, not your own self).
YES YES YES! Man does that need to be hammered into our brains.
I think the "don't waste your life" book just really helps us realize more what that means...
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