I’ve been walking with the Lord to some measure for a while now, and as time goes by there are a few things that I’ve come to realize.  One is that the moment you relax to believe a battle has been won, you’ve lost.  We have great strength and power through Christ who dwells powerfully within us, but when we move our gaze away from Him and the cross, our sin and our flesh is quick to fail. (Rom 7:21-8:1)  Another is that there is no end to the books that have been written on theology and Christian living, some good, some not so much, that it is an impossible task to wade through the amount of information that we could take in.  (Eccl 12:12-13) This makes sense because God is infinite, so the knowledge of Him is the same, and a life lived as a Christian is all-consuming, so the amount of instruction and encouragement to address each situation is neverending.  Therefore, my attention is usually directed towards helping us see our heart’s as depraved as they are (Rom 3:10-12, Psalm 51:5), and to encourage us all to continue to cling to the cross, our hope purchased through the blood and resurrection of Christ (1 Pet 1:13).  So if I look into the Word of God, as a sinner saved by grace, can I offer any encouragement to other sinners saved by grace who are struggling, and overwhelmed by the flood of information coming their way?  I hope so.

My encouragement is to daily ask yourself one question, and work to influence it’s outcome – “Is there anything that my heart longs for more than Christ and His righteousness?”  This is a simple question for us to ask ourselves daily.  The fruit of our heart is easy to see and evaluate, it’s around us every day through our actions, and our relationships.  Look at how you live, and it will speak to the true desire of your heart.  Where do you spend your time and money?  What things are you striving towards?  What is the one thing that you think if it changed would “make you happy”?

This is based merely on the words of Christ as to the great commandment for us all in Matthew 22:36-38 – “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment.”

Know that as I pray for my own continued repentance from sin, that you are prayed for as well.  May we all continue to be conformed into the image of God, for the glory of the name of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Grace and Peace,
Adam