Lasting Change
How does lasting change work? What is the difference between having an experience and living out of that experience?
In Philippians 4:9 Paul was writing to the saints in Philippi and encouraged them to keep going “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
Today’s’ culture teaches us we need to know more. Read more books, get more degrees, gain more experience, get more training. The church is not exempt from this mentality. How many books, conferences, trainings and sermons have you attended, heard or read? All of that is like spiritual food. When we eat rich food and do not exercise we can get out of shape and obese.
Even if the only thing we do is attend one church service a week, do we put into practice what we were taught? Do we challenge ourselves to gain further freedom, breakthrough and maturity?
3 His divine power has (already) given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness. 4 Through these He has given us His very great and precious promises, so that through them you may (now, without waiting) participate in the divine nature, having (already) escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
5 For this very reason, make every effort (daily and consistently) to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-8 NIV *(author added)
Let’s make consistent choices to put into practice what we have already been given.
The best part about this is that we are not going at this alone. The Lord is near and is actively involved in our lives. Allow Him to highlight what He wants to do next, and then just keep telling Him yes. He provides the strength needed so you can persevere with Him. We can’t have lasting change without him.
Blessings to you, today.