Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
08/09/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 323: Love and Obedience
Our growth in holiness is God’s work, particularly the Holy Spirit. God graciously gives us the privilege to cooperate with His Spirit in the process of becoming more like Christ.
But we grow in holiness because of God’s strength, not ours. Our spiritual growth is not something we have achieved; it is a work of God’s grace. We deserve no credit at all.
God does not love us because we overcome temptation. God does not stop loving a believer who has yielded to some sin. But our effort is necessary for us to grow more like Jesus.
The relationship between our growth and God’s love is like a child obeying their parents.
My child has my love because they are my child; love is “sealed” by this special relationship.
My child’s obedience does not cause me to love him; and when he disobeys, I still love. But in order for my child to grow and have my approval, he must obey.
Why does God lead us toward righteousness? For His glory - for the sake of His name not mine.
Psa.23:3 He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
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