Read Jesus’ statement again in light of this question: “What one thing should I do to grow more as a Christian?”
If someone asked you that question, how would you respond?
Would you suggest some basic spiritual disciplines, such as reading the Bible, praying, fasting, or learning theology?
The crowds brought this exact query to Jesus in John 6. His answer may surprise you:
Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one He has sent” (John 6:28-29).
Notice they are asking Jesus what they must do to live a life that pleases God. Jesus answers that
the work of God is to believe.
In other words, the Christian life is not all about doing, it is about believing.
In the same way we become a Christian – repentance and belief – is the same way we grow as a Christian – repentance and belief.
Getting this right is crucial to our transformation into Christlikeness.
Most of us are naturally doers. We gladly embrace the next project, the next challenge, the next assignment. So our pursuit of Christian maturity produces a lot of busy effort, but little lasting change that only continual repentance and belief can.
For sake of discussion,
Wonderfully put.
Good thought. It seems that when God has poured out His Spirit both in Scripture and in modern times, that a common precursor was repentance. This is very consistent with 2 Chronicles 7:14.
Thanks!
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