Thoughts: This tells us that faith is not enough. Some say that faith alone is all you need but this tells us it is just a beginning. This is a progression that we all must strive to move through in our faith journey.
When I first came to faith in Jesus Christ, it was a great time where I enjoyed the consolation of knowing I was forgiven and loved by God. Because of this love I sought to imitate the virtues of Christ. I started practicing many of the virtues found in Jesus Christ and realized that I needed knowledge in order to share this freedom with others. So, I started studying. Scripture, prayer and other spiritual writings.
By consistently filling up my knowledge store houses I had the strength to exercise self control. This was a great feeling for me and something I had never experienced before. My spiritual exercises (prayer time) was something I had always struggled with but now I was finding a new sense of endurance and dedication to my prayer time. That prayer time doesn't always stay the same though. It keeps changing and evolving making my devotions stronger and more meaningful.
I have had some success at mutual affection and with love. I still struggle with selfishness at times but feel truly at peace when I can put aside my selfishness and give of myself in love to others.
When I first came to faith in Jesus Christ, it was a great time where I enjoyed the consolation of knowing I was forgiven and loved by God. Because of this love I sought to imitate the virtues of Christ. I started practicing many of the virtues found in Jesus Christ and realized that I needed knowledge in order to share this freedom with others. So, I started studying. Scripture, prayer and other spiritual writings.
By consistently filling up my knowledge store houses I had the strength to exercise self control. This was a great feeling for me and something I had never experienced before. My spiritual exercises (prayer time) was something I had always struggled with but now I was finding a new sense of endurance and dedication to my prayer time. That prayer time doesn't always stay the same though. It keeps changing and evolving making my devotions stronger and more meaningful.
I have had some success at mutual affection and with love. I still struggle with selfishness at times but feel truly at peace when I can put aside my selfishness and give of myself in love to others.
So, maybe I am done with my spiritual 8 step program? No, not at all. The end is just the beginning. Once these things increase in you it will naturally call you to action. While I have free will and could say no to God, I don’t because doing so would be to deny my very essence.
Our growing faith cries out for us to keep nourishing it with life giving bread. The bread that comes from heaven. That bread that is Jesus, himself.
Our growing faith cries out for us to keep nourishing it with life giving bread. The bread that comes from heaven. That bread that is Jesus, himself.
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