I used to think that there might be tips about how to live a Godly life, something that can make it easy. I wanted that tip that would help me have it all as a christian because I seemed not to be able to figure out how to be a good christian : how could I be that loving and patient mom, respectful wife, caring friend, community driven, joyfully serving at the local church, outstanding at work, …? I felt like God expected too much from me and I felt like I can meet so little, if at all.
But later on, I came to understand that it doesn’t happen overnight. When you receive Christ as your King and savior, transformation comes over time if you give it a chance.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2: 12.
Since the Fall, we have been separated from God. Everything that is Godly, everything that feeds our relationship with God, which also means that it feeds our spirit is unnatural and uncomfortable. That’s why so many Christians have a hard time praying and reading the word consistently. We need to work it out for it to become easier.
Look at it like this : if you have never been a runner and you decide to start running, you can’t start by participating in a marathon. You can say that you will be running and participating in the marathon next year or 2 years from now. But till then, you will be running every day consistently to build your performance, get better and better and be ready for the marathon when the time comes.
Likewise, being a good christian is a lifelong journey. A real christian life builds up like muscles. You need to be intentional in creating those new habits and integrating them in your new life, create a routine to feed you, build that relationship with God and make you grow. As for physical health, exercising and eating healthy are crucial in spiritual health.
How much do you exercise ? Would you benefit from exercising more ? What do you feed yourself with ? What do you listen to ?
Loved ones, salvation is free. We were saved by grace through faith, but there’s so much more to enjoy in the christian life if we go further and seek a deep relationship with God, and that requires to long for it and work it out. Be intentional, create a routine, be proactive, you may need to do violence to yourself, for as long as your muscles are not yet strong, your flesh will resist.
The good news is, as you build up your spiritual muscles through exercising (praying, fellowship, …) and eating healthy (reading the bible, listening to God’s word), it becomes easier and easier over time. Little by little, you get to know God better and love him more and more. You cherish that growing relationship you have created and you find yourself in a place where you wonder how you have been able to live without that before.
So, that tip I have been seeking ? Work out your salvation, and you’ll see amazing results.
Prayer : Father God, thank you because you allow yourself to be found by those who seek you. Help me to be intentional and consistent in prayer and reading the word. I want more intimacy and depth with you. Help me to do my part to grow my relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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