Pressing In Together

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
-1 Timothy 1:5

According to Jesus agape love is the fulfilment of the law. Our faith works by love. When we fulfill the law by loving God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and loving our neighbor as ourself, then our conscience will be clear. We will have a good conscience that gives us confidence before God and does not hinder our faith. We come to our heavenly Father with boldness, knowing our actions reflect His heart toward others and ourselves. He searches the earth to find people like this so He can pour out His goodness on them.


This is the kind of person I determine to be. Because He lives in me and by His grace I can do all things. Even love my neighbor as myself.


Do I want to go to hell? Of course not. Neither does my neighbor. My unsaved neighbors need to know how to miss hell and gain heaven. I’m a fisherman. Use bait that entices and a net without holes.


Do I want to go through life wondering if God hears me and never knowing if I’ve heard from Him? No, that’s a miserable and discouraging way to live. My saved neighbor needs to know it’s possible to have a “know-so” relationship with their Heavenly Father. They need to be taught how to recognize His voice and how to have confidence when they speak to Him.


Do I want to always depend on others and think only of myself? No. We all need to develop spiritual muscles and become mature. Some folks are spiritual babies and need time to grow. Others are spiritual mooches and need to be exhorted to grow up. Paul said of these, “By this time you ought to be teachers, but you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles…”


But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you…and we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
-Hebrews 6:9, 11


Hebrews 6: 1-2 lists what Paul considered basic Christianity. The next few posts will look at some of these foundational principles so we can test ourselves by the word, see where we stand and by His grace become stronger and more mature.


Pressing in together!
Della P