Cooperate With God’s Grace
God wants us to habitually pursue spiritual progress (1 Thess 4:1, JB). He wants us to more fully enjoy an experiential knowledge of Him (2 Pet 3:18, Wuest). This makes us better, stronger people (1 Cor 16:13, Williams). It brings a smile to God’s face to see His people progress like this (Ps 89:16, Spurrell). Yet, He has to give us courage to undertake this journey because change can be unsettling (Ps 84:15-16, Moffatt). It can lead to anxiety for both ourselves and others. After all, think about the man who had the legion of demons cast out of him (Mk 5:19). Don’t you think there were a lot of adjustments he and those who had known him had to make? It could be unnerving.
So how do we make progress? We receive His strength, live by the truth (Eph 4:15, REB), help others, and receive help (Rom 14:19). We seek to understand His will for us (Col 1:9-10), yield to Him (Heb 6:1, Montgomery), and expect Him to transform us (2 Cor 3:18, Beck). In addition, we are patient because we realize we don’t quickly go from having notable problems, like the demoniac, to serving as an apostle. His work has to expand in us as we vigorously take those steps which can help (Phil 2:12-13).
For example, my own spiritual growth took place as I cooperated with God’s grace (1 Cor 15:10) in rigorously studying the Bible, better learning how to more accurately interpret the Bible, and receiving my prayer language of tongues (1 Cor 14:4). The Lord brought key people into my life through whom He shaped me (Prov 27:17). God orchestrated circumstances to get me writing books and gave me experiences that helped channel the direction of my writing. What He had me research, then write, further influenced my understanding and the way I grew. I praise Him for His wisdom and grace that enabled me to make spiritual progress. You should too.
Comforting others is costly but worth it.