13th July 2008
Why is it that some don’t believe God is really who He says He is? Why is it we quickly revert back to old actions, old ways of thinking when we should know better? Why is it that we progress at various rates? Why do some easily and quickly bow to circumstances, fears, anxieties even after much ministry? Why do some never seem to progress? Why is it that even though people are Christians, go to church, they continue to lead double lives? Do they know God? Are they saved? How do you define salvation? Why do some have an inner resolve to change even though difficult, and others go back to ‘being stuck’ in their victim thinking, actions, behaviour, words? What influences our rate of progress - personality, past, generational iniquity?
TO KNOW GOD IS TO BELIEVE GOD, TO BELIEVE GOD IS TO KNOW GOD!
We are told in Philippians 2:12 to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. 1 Peter 2:2 says: Like newborn babies you should crave the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may be nurtured and grow unto completed salvation.
Quite clearly salvation is a process, a process that requires a walk in the fear of the Lord, and as we do this we grow into maturity. The reality of this is so huge, it is not easy to get a simple answer to the ‘why’s. In a nutshell these answers can be quickly answered by such words as negativity, unbelief, old coping mechanisms, going back to what is safe, ownership, control - where we want control and won’t allow God to take control, where we don’t have a revelation of the fear of the Lord and our levels of maturity. I was seeking the Lord and it is so huge that to get a straight forward answer to these questions is difficult.
He said for me to start with the word ‘perseverance’.