April 24, 2014 | Practices That Perfect

“Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (Colossians 1:28-29 ESV)

Resurrected living

Jesus didn’t just die for us; He rose from the dead for us. He didn’t merely pay for my sins; He grants me the opportunity to mature in His resurrected life. The living Lord has provided so abundantly that those who trust Him can live and grow according to His grace. Chuck Swindoll summarized the process nicely:

“There is an enormous difference between growing old in the Lord and growing up in Him. One is automatic and requires no effort at all…just aging. But the other is never automatic or easy. It calls for personal discipline, continual determination, and spiritual desire.” – Chuck Swindoll, Growing Up in God’s Family

Practices that perfect

Starting this coming Sunday, we get to embark on a study of a few of the resurrection life practices that God has commanded – practices that change our lives. None of these is easy. In fact, in human power alone they are impossible. Thankfully, the Triune God is an excellent coach, and He empowers us for this development. As Tom Landry told me a long time ago:

“The job of a coach is to make men do what they don’t want to do in order to achieve what they’ve always wanted to be.” – Tom Landry [private conversation]

That’s exactly what God does for us! I look forward to learning all about it with you. If you have a moment, pray that I can impart God’s Word on these practices “warning and teaching with all wisdom.” Thanks!