WE WERE MADE TO THRIVE

“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; teach me Your statutes. With my lips I have told of all the ordinances of Your mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate on Your precepts and regard Your ways. I shall delight in Your statutes; I shall not forget Your word,” (Psalm 119:9-16, NASB).

In this age of technology, it’s difficult to keep up with the newest gadgets. For instance, some people learn the bare basics of how to operate a smart phone. But if they’d learn a bit more, they’d find the device more helpful. By limiting their knowledge, they miss the benefits the phone provides to make tasks easier.

Sometimes, we have this same problem in our Christian life. Scripture declares that when we come to God through the blood of Jesus, we are “…a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come,” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NASB). In His Word, God has provided everything we need to know how to live as new creations, but we must grow in our knowledge of this new life.

Are we trying to live on the mere basics of God’s Word without digging deeper to uncover richer truths and insights? If so, we are limiting our spiritual growth and missing out on the benefits that come with greater understanding of God, His ways, and His desires. We may be getting by, but we’re not thriving as the Lord desires. It’s never too late to learn more and begin enjoying the benefits of our new life in Christ.

Jeff