The Means of Spiritual Growth

DOCTRINE/THEOLOGY

Dr. Alexander Kurian

Charting a Course for Spiritual Growth

“Spiritual growth is not automatic. Developing good growth habits is essential for spiritual growth. When a baby is born, the mother feeds him milk first, and later, baby food. But if a baby must grow into an adult, he must learn to eat adult food and to feed himself. Spiritual growth also relies upon the same principle and process, developing and using good habits of diet and exercise. This needs commitment and discipline on our part. Our spiritual journey requires a plan and a strategy if it is to be successful. Charting a course for spiritual growth is a matter of utmost importance. Our spiritual growth will be in direct proportion to our desire for growth. We must find the divine resources God has provided and tap into it. It is then that God will meet you and mature you in unique ways.

Let us begin at the beginning of our spiritual journey. There can be no spiritual journey without a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the beginning of Christian life. Jesus came to earth as God in human form. He came to enable us to have a relationship with Him - to bridge the gap between humanity and God. The birth of Christ was necessary so that He could be both God and human. Jesus Christ, who has always existed as God, was determined to come to earth so He could rescue us from our sins by dying on a cross. “Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8).

A person’s relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is not an illusion but a reality. Salvation is not just a one-way ticket to heaven, but a life-transforming experience that reorients every corner of our lives. A genuine personal relationship with Jesus Christ brings about a sweeping transformation to our sinful selves. After we are born into God’s family as children (John 1:12), God gives us the resources to nurture our spiritual growth. There is no growth without birth. So check for vital signs and make sure that you are saved. “We know that we have passed from death to life” (1 John 3:14). “The Spirit himself bears with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

Assurance of Salvation

Assurance is the confident realization of our salvation in Christ. Some Christians are chronic doubters; they always doubt their experience of salvation. They are shaky and confused about their eternal destiny. This lack of solid footing in the assurance of salvation can undermine one’s spiritual growth. There are several reasons why people lack assurance of salvation.

They cannot remember their spiritual birthday - the exact day and hour they were saved.
They constantly struggle with sin and failures in their lives
They experience doctrinal misunderstanding and erroneous teaching concerning the nature of salvation.
They question the correctness of the procedure they went through when they expressed faith in Christ. (For example, “Did I raise my hand?”, “Did I walk forward?”, “Did I fill out a decision card?”, “Did I pray the proper prayer?”).

How can you deal with the question of assurance? What is the foundation of our assurance?

Assurance is Found in Christ: Assurance of salvation is not a self assurance, but it is an assurance promised by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. “He who believes in the Son has eternal life…..” (John.3:36.). “Truly, truly, I say unto you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life” (John 5:24; see also John 10:27-29 and Luke 10:20). There is no “may” or “might have” in these promises. One who believes in Him already has eternal life. Jesus did not add any qualifiers to His promise. This is a tremendous promise of assurance, full of certainty and without a shadow of doubt. If we doubt or question this promise, we are actually questioning the trust-worthiness and reliability of the Lord Jesus Christ. Your assurance is found in Christ, not in yourself or in any one else.
Assurance is Guaranteed by God’s Testimony: “And the witness is that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, in order that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:11-13). God not only gives us eternal life in Christ, He also gives us the certainty of that eternal life. The offer of salvation includes assurance. This assurance is located in God’s objective promise in His Word.
Assurance Rests upon the Witness of the Holy Spirit: “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit” (I John 4:13). “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are the children of God” (Romans 8:16). “And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is the truth” (1 John 5: 7).

Security of Salvation

Assurance is actually the confident realization of the security (permanence) of salvation. In salvation, a person is brought into a personal relationship with God that assures his salvation is secure. The regenerated person’s salvation is secure because of that relationship to God which He has through faith. If a person has received the gift of eternal life through faith in Christ, he can rest assured that nothing will alter that. His or her salvation is secure forever and is not dependent on works. A believer’s source of security is in God alone.

When a person has genuinely believed in Christ as his Savior from sin, he is forever secured by God by His keeping power. “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever” (Jude 24-25). The writer to the Hebrews reminds us of the securing work of our Lord Jesus Christ as our High Priest. “He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (7:25). “Save forever” means just that - forever. The work of God in salvation is undermined if we don’t believe that God really means it when He says we are His forever.

God has three major provisions for the safekeeping of His people:

The Lord’s Advocacy for us: The Lord Jesus is not only our Savior, but He is also our righteous Advocate, who pleads our case before the Father when we are accused by Satan of some sin (Revelation 12:10).
Christ’s Intercession for us: As our great High Priest He intercedes for us before God. He is our official representative in heaven and looks after our security and well-being upon earth (Hebrews 7:25; Luke 22:31-32).
The Holy Spirit’s Indwelling in us: The presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives is God’s pledge and guarantee that our salvation will be consummated (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).

The doctrine of eternal security does not suggest that the believer will never backslide or sin. Sin in a believer’s life does not affect his or her regeneration, but it does impair the believer’s fellowship with Christ. The basis for the security of salvation does not rest with man, but with God.

Securing work of the Father: The Father has chosen us (Ephesians 1:3) and has promised to keep us in our salvation (Rom.8:28-30).
Securing work of the Son: The Son has redeemed us (Ephesians 1:7) and secures us eternally through His mediating and intercessory work as our High priest (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1).
Securing work of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit has regenerated us (Titus 3:5). He indwells the believer forever (John 14:17). He has sealed the believer for the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30).
God’s Promises to Keep us till the End (John 6:37-39; 10:27-28; Rom.38-39; Philippians 1:6).

Warning passages in the Bible are sometimes misinterpreted and misunderstood to mean the loss of salvation. But these passages only warn us of the severe consequences of immaturity, carnality and backsliding in Christian life. Those consequences do not include hell or losing eternal life.

Baptism: The First Step of Obedience

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are the only two ordinances (something that is ordained and ordered by the Lord) of the Christian Church. Some Christian groups have added other ordinances (sometimes called “Sacraments”) without the least warrant from Scripture. Christ clearly commanded baptism in the Great Commission (Matt.28:19-20). Baptism is the first step of obedience for a Christian disciple. Its significance should not be minimized or disregarded.

Baptism does not save, but it is the believer’s public confession of faith in Christ and of a determination to follow Him. Baptism should be a part of every believer’s experience, though it is not a requirement for salvation. Since obedience is an integral part of becoming a mature Christian, baptism is something that every believer should willingly, voluntarily and joyfully participate in.

Baptism was commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:19).
The early church practiced it (Acts 2:38, 41; 8:12-13; 36-38; 9:18; 10:47-48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5).
Its doctrinal truth is explained in the New Testament writings (Romans 6:1-10; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12).
Baptism is an act of identification or association with the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a symbolic act that carries with it the truth of resurrection, allegiance and newness of life.
Baptism is not for salvation but because of salvation (salvation is by grace through faith alone and not through works).
It is an act of obedience - the first major step of obedience in Christian life.
It is an act of submission. In baptism, a believer submits himself to the command of Christ to be baptized.
It is an act of confession. Baptism gives us the opportunity to publicly confess our identification with Christ. Baptism is the believer’s declaration to the world that Christ is the standard by which he intends to live the rest of his life.
It is an act of proclamation. In the act of baptism, the Gospel message of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ is silently proclaimed. It is sometimes referred to as the Gospel message through “eye-gate.”
Christian baptism is not “adult baptism”, but believer’s baptism – only those who have believed are to be baptized. The term “believer’s baptism” underscores the connection between baptism and believing. In every case in the New Testament, baptism followed believing. Those who are baptized as infants have no understanding of the Gospel and therefore such infant baptism cannot be viewed as a valid Christian baptism.
The mode of baptism is by immersion. Immersion is unquestionably the primary meaning of the word used for baptism in the New Testament. Moreover, immersion best pictures the significance of baptism (identification with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, and a believer’s death to the old life and resurrection to the new life in Christ).
It is the visual outward picture of an inward reality.

The reality of the Christian’s union with Christ as pictured in baptism is a great encouragement to move forward in Christian living and growth. Any baptism prior to salvation is meaningless and needs to be discarded. Believing in Christ comes first, then baptizing. A baptized believer must remind himself constantly of the truth portrayed in baptism. He is identified with Christ. The old life is to be considered dead; the new life is to be allowed to grow. That growth leads to a productive, fruitful and vibrant Christian life. “Consider yourselves to be dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Rom.6:11).

What do you believe about baptism? Have you been baptized by immersion after receiving Christ as your personal Savior? If not, don’t delay to take this first step of obedience in Christian life.

Church Attendance

One of the great blessings of salvation in Christ is our being called into the fellowship not only of God, but also of other believers in Christ. Church is the body of Christ and we are all members of that body, spiritually united to one another. “In Christ we who are many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others” (Romans 12:5). The apostle Paul reminded the Church in Corinth, “The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body...Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:12, 27).

In the New Testament, the word “church” is never used of a building or denomination. The church is a “called-out company”, “a gathering” or an “assembly.” Church is a gathering of believers in Jesus Christ who join together in fulfilling their mission to worship God, to serve one another and to make disciples. The church at Jerusalem was the first Christian church (Acts 2). However, as the body of believers grew, more and more local churches were formed.

As Christians, we are not made to be lone rangers or isolated hermits. We are created for community. God has designed our spiritual growth in the company and with the help of our fellow believers in Christ. God’s grand strategy of redemption does not focus on saving individuals; it centers on the creation of a new people, a “called-out company” - the church. “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (1 Peter 2: 9-10).

The three common images of the church in the New Testament - the people of God, the family of God, and the body of Christ – all emphasize the communal character of the church. We are sons and daughters of God, who is the Father of this family. The new brotherhood and sisterhood in the family of God cut across all natural, social, cultural, and ethnic barriers.

Seven Great Truths Concerning the Church

There is one body (Ephesians 4:4)
Christ is the Head of the body (Ephesians 5:23; Colossians 1:18)
All believers are members of the body (Acts 2:47)
The Holy Spirit is the Vicar or Representative of Christ in the Church (John 14:16, 26).
The Church of God is holy (1 Corinthians 3:17)
Gifts are given for the edification of the Church (Ephesians 4:11-12)
All believers are priests of God (1 Peter 2:5,9) (William Macdonald, Christ Loved the Church)

Why Go to Church?

God wants His children to meet with other believers on a regular basis. “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:23-25). To neglect the regular assembling with other Christians is to miss out on essential elements in the development of our faith. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us that going to church helps us safeguard against drifting and backsliding. The love, fellowship, encouragement and the accountability found in the church anchor us against the tides that work to sweep us away. We are spurred on to faithfulness in the company of God’s people. In meeting together we find mutual encouragement to keep going.

We are not equipped to keep going on our own in Christian life. We are made not for self-sufficient living but for togetherness in dependence on each other through fellowship in the family of God .God has designed our spiritual growth in the company of God’s people. That is why fellowship is one of the great words of the New Testament. It denotes something that is vital for our spiritual health and growth. Fellowship comes from a root word meaning “common” or “shared.” Fellowship means common participation in something either by giving what you have to the other person or receiving what he or she has. It is the sharing of the common life we have in Christ. We gain spiritual strength through fellowship and lose strength without it. We grow in fellowship. We regress if we live in isolation from one another. No wonder fellowship is featured in the first description of the young church at Jerusalem. “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship…..” (Acts 2: 42).

Remember, your Christian life will always flourish when there is strong fellowship. It will always be stagnant and ineffective when there is no fellowship. Involvement in a local church is vital to our growth in Christ.

Going to church is also an integral part of the discipline of spiritual growth. Church is not just the place where you worship, fellowship, or learn God’s Word; it is the place where you get your spiritual batteries recharged. You cannot identify with the people of God and live in obedience to the commands of Christ without being a part of a local church. Christ gave to His Church various gifted people to assist the body in spiritual growth through equipping and edifying (Ephesians 4:7-16). The teaching, fellowship and worship of the church challenge your character and behavior. It encourages you to remain faithful and will hold you accountable in your walk with the Lord.

You also have to carefully consider how God can use you in your church. Finding and using our spiritual gifts for God’s glory and the blessing of others should also happen in the context of the church. Usually, others see our gifts better than we see them ourselves. In the church, others will be able to watch us, encourage us, evaluate us, and tell us what our gifts are. Church ministries give us opportunities to serve God and others.

Which Church Do I Go To?

In the midst of denominational confusion and pseudo-Christianity which abandon the distinctive truths of the Christian faith, one may find it difficult to choose a good New Testament church. What are the guidelines that should control our decision on which church to fellowship with?

Acts 2 describes the first local church, its spiritual duties and priorities. Verses 42-47 contain the major components of the dynamic life of the first congregation. In Acts 2:42 the Holy Spirit mentions the four pillars of the Church. “And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” We must go to a church that is devoted to these four spiritual disciplines:

The Apostles’ Teaching: God designed the church to be a place where His Word is believed, honored and proclaimed.
Fellowship: This is the vital spiritual duty of every believer to encourage, edify and stimulate one another to holiness and faithfulness by participating in the life of a local church.
Breaking of Bread: A regular observance and celebration of the Lord’s Supper as the corporate expression of the worship of the church.
Prayer: Eager and persistent engaging in the critical duty of corporate church prayer.

These first gatherings of the church were designed primarily for the benefit of the believers, not for evangelizing unbelievers. But as a result of the teaching, fellowship, worship and prayer, the believers were energized to go and reach out to the unsaved (evangelism), for “the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). True evangelism flows from the life of a healthy church.

In addition to the principles already mentioned, we can also add other considerations that will help decide which church to go to:

We must choose a church that will help us in our spiritual growth; a church that is committed to discipleship.
We must choose a church where we have the freedom to serve and actively use our spiritual gifts.
We must choose a church that is structured and governed in accordance with New Testament principles and practices.
We must choose a church that has a good testimony and one that expresses the life of Christ in a tangible way.
A truly scriptural church should be composed only of true believers.

If you are looking for a church, may the Lord impress these guidelines on your heart and lead you to a church that is faithful to Christ and His Word.

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering” (Hebrews 10:23).
“Let us consider one another in order to stir up to love and good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” (Hebrews 10:25).

Spiritual Disciplines

Diet and exercise not only ensure physical health - it ensures good spiritual health as well. Spiritual disciplines and exercises are essential for spiritual growth. Establishing good growth habits must be of high priority for a Christian. We need to begin with our spiritual food – a balanced diet of God’s Word. If we do not take a healthy portion of God’s Word every day, we will be stuck in spiritual infancy. God expects us to grow out of spiritual infancy as soon as possible. Someone once said, “You are young only once, but you can stay immature indefinitely.”

“Quiet Time” A “Quiet Time” or “daily devotion” (as some prefer to call it) is personal time alone with God for the purpose of hearing from God and talking to God. This is the time which is set apart daily to give God our undivided attention in reading, studying, meditating (quiet contemplation of spiritual truths) God’s Word, and prayer. It is a personal appointment with the heavenly Father. A “quiet time” is a basic ingredient in a maturing relationship with God. A consistent devotional life is indispensable for spiritual growth.

Personal Bible Study Apart from the Holy Spirit, the Bible is the source of spiritual strength for the Christian. It is God’s road map of life for you. It is the basis of your faith. It should be the blue print for your life. The Bible is the sole authority for faith and practice. The Holy Spirit declares that the Bible is God’s Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” Prophet Jeremiah really knew this truth. He said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart” (Jeremiah 15:16). As Jeremiah, we must crave the best food possible for spiritual growth. The new Christian begins by spiritually digesting simple truths in the Bible. He then gradually begins to move on to more complex truths, until he is finally feasting upon the “meat” of the Word of God. “Strong meat belongs to them that are full of age” (Hebrews 5:14). As a Christian matures, he will become more skilled in interpreting the Scripture.

God gives Christians explicit commands in His Word to read and study the Bible. We are told to “Search the Scriptures” (John 5:39). Paul told young Timothy, “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Psalm 1:2-3 speaks of that man whose “delight is in the Law of the LORD…..and whatsoever he does shall prosper.” Whether or not you become a successful Christian will be determined by your study of the Word of God.

How can you have an effective Quiet Time? How can you study the Bible for yourself? How can you pray meaningfully? Here are some suggestions:

Set apart a regular time, preferably in the morning hours. If morning hours are not a convenient time for you, find another time slot which works best. 30 minutes to 1 hour if possible would be really helpful.
Select a good translation of the Bible (not a paraphrased version) if you are reading in English. I recommend NKJV, NASB, KJV (if you are used to and comfortable with the KJV English), NIV, or NET Bible (The New English Translation. The NET Bible originally started as an attempt to provide an electronic version of a modern translation for electronic distribution over the Internet. It is available on the internet at www.netbible.org and anyone is at liberty to print copies for personal use or for free distribution to others). If you prefer a good study Bible, I would recommend The Ryrie Study Bible or The MacArthur Study Bible).
Begin and end your quiet time with prayer.
Even if you read only one chapter a day, do it meaningfully with microscopic examination of every verse. Your goal should not be to get through the Scriptures. The goal is to get the Scriptures through you. To get an overall view of the Scripture, it is a good idea to read the Old Testament in conjunction with the New Testament – reading a chapter of the OT and a chapter of the NT each day.
Write down your thoughts, observations and what you have learned each day.
Always remember the three basic rules of Bible study: Observation – what the Word says (carefully observe the facts while you read), Interpretation – what the Word means by what it says (try to understand the meaning accurately), and Application - how the Word applies (obey and apply what you have learned in your own life). In the process of interpretation, while digging deeper, you may require some tools such as a Bible dictionary, a concordance, and a set of commentaries (a good study Bible will render some valuable help in this area. As a basic commentary, I also recommend Believer’s Bible Commentary by William MacDonald). But remember, the most important thing is your own personal reading and study of the Bible. Although you may have no commentaries at hand, continue to read and meditate God’s Word prayerfully, depending upon the enlightening work of the Holy Spirit. “For a little from God is better than a great deal received from man” (John Bunyan).
As you read, ask these important questions:
- What is the subject at hand? What are the main themes dealt with?
- Who are the main characters?
- Are there any promises?
- Any commandments?
- Any warnings?
- Any good examples to follow?
- What is the key verse?
- What did I learn?
- What is my decision?
Try to memorize Scripture. Begin with a favorite verse.
Read with a readiness to surrender. Don’t read the Bible merely to find information, to increase your knowledge, or to be able to prove a point. Resolve that you will be obedient to it.
Metabolize – take in and digest – God’s truth so that it will be come a part and parcel of your life.

Benefits of Personal Bible Study

It will make you strong (1 John 2:14)
It will give you confidence in prayer (John 15:7)
It will cleansing from sin (John 15:3; 17:17; Psalm 119:9,11)
You will grow in faith (1Corinthians 3:1-3; 1 Peter 2:1-2)
It will guide you in life (Psalm 119:105)
It guarantees your blessing and success (Joshua 1:8)

In Psalm 119:98-100, we find three wonderful benefits of studying the Word of God:

God’s Word gives us wisdom: “Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine” (119: 98)
God’s Word imparts insight: “I have more insight than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation” (119: 99).
God’s Word leads us to maturity: “I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Thy precepts” (119:100).

Can we achieve anything in life without wisdom, insight and maturity?

“The greatest thing that ever happened in my life, next to my salvation, occurred when I learned to study the Word of God night and day. While I haven’t arrived, by any stretch of the imagination, I have learned this – that the longer and more intensely and more devotedly I look into the face of God, the more God changes my life into the image of His Son” (John MacArthur).

You will never understand everything in the Bible, but you will never know anything about God and His Word and His plan for your life unless you start reading and studying. God will begin teaching and showing you the things you need to know. Make a covenant with God that you will become a man of the Word, a woman of the Word - and God will honor that and bless you for it.

Know this first: Before you can move on from spiritual infancy, you must get a good grip on what the Bible is all about. So make your quiet time a priority. If you want to spiritually grow, you must take personal responsibility for studying the Bible. If studied and applied appropriately, it will impact your life. As you read and meditate upon God’s holy Word, He will direct your attention to a particular verse or passage that you really need to instill fresh vigor and spiritual energy to your efforts. Start your day with God and His Book. It will enrich and bless the rest of your day. Try it, you’ll like it!

(For those who are really keen on knowing more about effective Bible study methods, I recommend How to Study the Bible by John MacArthur (or) How to Study Your Bible by Kay Arthur (or) How to Study the Bible for Yourself by Tim LaHaye. For more serious students, Living by the Book by Howard G. Hendricks & William D. Hendricks will be helpful).

The Exercise of Prayer

Diet alone is not enough for growth. You need both diet and exercise to be healthy. The spiritual exercise of prayer is the secret to strong spiritual muscles and bones. Prayer is the most dynamic force available to a Christian. The life that is prayerless is a life that is routine and normal - certainly not the abundant life Christ promised (John 10:10).

Prayer is an amazing provision for Christian life. It is our communion and communication with God. He invites us to come boldly to the throne of grace for His help (Hebrews 4:16). Our prayers may assume any form of communication like:

Thanksgiving
Praise
Petition
Confession
Expression of reliance
Intercession

It is through prayer that the people of God will find their highest power. The spirit of prayer is the measure of our devotion, effectiveness and achievements in Christian life. It is the life line of our life in Christ.

Some Great Examples of Prayer in the New Testament:

The example of Jesus (Matthew 14:23; 19:13-15; Luke 3:21; 5:16; 9:29; 11:1; 22:39-46)
The example of Paul (Ephesians 1:15-19; 3:14-21; Philippians 1:3-11; Colossians 1:3-5)
The example of the Early Church (Acts 1:14, 24; 2:42; 4:31; 6:6; 7:60; 9:40; 10:9; 12:5; 13:3; 16:25; 20:36).

We are commanded to pray (Matthew 7:7; Luke 18:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1Timothy 2:1).

Conditions for Prayer:

Pray in faith (Matthew 17:20-22; 21:22; Mark 11:24)
Pray according to God’s will (1 John 5:14)
Pray with a forgiving spirit (Matt.18:23-35; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4).

Our Prayers are NOT granted:

If we ask with wrong motives for wrong things (James 4:2-3)
If we do not ask according to God’s will (1 John 5:14)
If we have unconfessed sins in our lives (Psalm 66:18)
If we ask for that which is not for our good (Matthew 7:11).

Basic Rules of Prayer:

Ask in Jesus’ name (John 14:13-14)
Abide in Jesus (John 15:7)
Ask persistently (Luke 11:5-10)

God answers prayers in one of four ways:

Yes
No
Wait
My grace is sufficient for you

“Prayer is a discipline. It’s not just sending a shopping list up to God and saying, ‘Gimme, gimme.’ It’s a time of communion with God. It’s a time of intimacy with God. It’s a time of worship to God. And, yes, it’s a time of request to God, but prayer does take time and anything that takes time takes discipline. Develop a prayer rapport with God that brings you into His intimate presence both on spontaneous occasions and on regularly scheduled occasions” (Wood Kroll).

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3).

Witnessing

We are born to reproduce. We are saved to serve. We have a responsibility to reach others for Jesus Christ - winning others to Christ. Jesus’ first words to the first disciples were: “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus’ parting words to His disciples were to “make disciples of all the nations” (Matthew 28:16-20).

A person is born again when he/she receives Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior. This is the life-transforming experience of the new birth into God’s family. It is God’s plan that these new babies in Christ grow. God has made every provision for their growth into maturity, and then every person who is born into God’s family is to multiply. Every one of God’s children are to be reproducers. We are all called to be Christ’s witnesses by communicating the message of salvation to unbelievers. “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Barriers to Witnessing

Fear of rejection by others
Doubt and confusion concerning questions about the credibility of the Gospel
Fear of offending others
A sense of our own inadequacy and fear of failure

God is able to break all these barriers for us if we trust Him to do that. Pray for your specific needs in witnessing. Our authority is Christ, and our message is His message. We are His ambassadors. We are doing His business. “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples...I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). What a promise! Let us believe it and break the silence.

I would like to suggest some practical steps you can take to prepare you in the ministry of witnessing:

Make a list of the people in your life who are unbelievers and with whom you would like to share the good news of salvation in Christ.
Pray for them regularly
Be sensitive to the burden God instills in your heart for them as you pray for them
Look for every opportunity to share the Gospel with them
Let your actions and life-style be challenging when and where you are unable to openly communicate the Gospel with them.
Give them some good Christian literature to read
Invite them to Gospel meetings or informal home Bible study groups if they are open to that
Do not put any pressure on them to make decisions
Continue to befriend them whatever be their response to the Gospel
Try to enlist in Evangelism classes that will teach and equip you some basic principles of sharing the Gospel.

Victory Over Temptation

Christian life is a spiritual warfare. The Christian is constantly engaged in a very intense and demanding battle with the world (the world system that is hostile to God), the flesh (the power of sin in us and the propensity to rebel against God) and Satan. All three enemies exert their powerful influence upon the child of God for the purpose of defeating him. All of us have experienced crushing blows from these formidable enemies. Temptations seem to be constantly banging on our door. But is there a way for us to be champions and defeat these enemies? How can we celebrate the great victory we have in Jesus Christ?

Nowhere in the Bible will you find immunity from temptation. Every Christian can and should expect temptation. Temptation itself is not the problem; resisting it is. Temptation in itself is not sin; but yielding to temptation is. Sin comes by cooperation with the temptation. Temptation is not synonymous with guilt. Our Lord was tempted of the devil, but certainly He knew nothing of guilt. To tempt is to test, try, prove, or solicit to evil. Temptation in the sense of an invitation to do wrong never comes from God. “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust” (James 1:13-14). God allows us to be tempted, however, so that we may be victorious and gain strength for future conflicts, and so that our character may be developed and our usefulness increased. “Blessed is the man that endures temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to them that love Him” (James 1:12).

Assurance of Victory

God is our great defender in temptations. God knows our struggles. He is right there watching us and caring for us. He has promised us a way of escape; an exit to victory. This is promised in 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has over taken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.” Our heavenly Father’s help is promised to us when we are tempted. This verse teaches us three important truths about temptation and victory:

Temptation is common to man - it is a part of normal human experience. It is not unique, but it is typical or usual human experience.
God is faithful. Though He does not promise to deliver us from temptation, He does promise to limit its intensity. He will not allow the temptation to be too intense or too long, not beyond what we are able to bear.
He further promises to provide the way of escape – the way out. It is a promise of help tailored for that particular situation. God may not take us out of the temptation; but He sees us through it by enabling us to endure it.

Therefore, a Christian need not yield to temptation. No believer can claim that he was overwhelmed by temptation or that “ the devil made him do it.” No one can make us sin. No temptation is inherently stronger than our spiritual resources. God is faithful in His promises. The moment the temptation begins, the way out is available.

“From six troubles He will deliver you, even in seven evil will not touch you” (Job 5:19).

“For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).

“The Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

How Do We Meet Temptation?

Our first defense in temptation is to pray. “Keep watching and praying that you may not come into temptation” (Mark 14:38).
We must trust in God’s faithfulness and promises.
We should focus on our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ endured more than we could ever be called on to endure (Hebrews 12:1-3). He understands our struggles and He is able to take us through them.
Being victorious in temptation is not easy. It can be done, but it can’t be done alone, and it can’t be done without a plan.
Identify areas of your personal weaknesses – the areas of life where you are most susceptible to attack by Satan.
Always be prepared. Do not let Satan catch you off guard with your defenses down.
Avoid temptation – tempting situations, people who tempt you, and tempting liaisons.
Do not test your limits by trying to see how much you can tamper and meddle with the things of the world. Rather, try to stay as far away as possible from that which displeases God.
Keep yourself busy for the Lord in the fellowship of God’s people.
Tap into God’s resources – prayerful dependence upon God, believing His magnificent promises and being controlled by the Holy Spirit of God who empowers you to wage war against your spiritual enemies. “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
Always remember that nothing robs us of spiritual success and blessing as devastatingly as yielding to temptation.
If you fall, don’t stay down. Don’t let your failure paralyze you. Admit your sin and confess it (1 John 1:9; 2:1-2). Deal with your sin. Receive forgiveness and cleansing, learn from your mistakes and go forward in your spiritual journey again. Ask God for strength to be an overcomer.

Finding God’s Will

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove w hat the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom.12:2).

“Do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17).

“Not by way of eye-service, as men pleasers, but as saves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart” (Ephesians 6:6).

God’s plan for the human race includes not only every nation, tribe and family, but every individual as well. The psalmist realized it when he said, “May the Lord think of me” (Psalm 40:17). But the will of God does not interfere with the free will of man or relieve him of his personal responsibility in life’s decisions and choices. The will of God is not “luck” or “fate”. It is His sovereign plan and purpose for our lives. It is to be held on a steady course by his guiding presence. At times, we may feel that it is ambiguous or mysterious. Sometimes we struggle with it. But our God is a loving heavenly Father who has promised to lead His children with His specific directives. We don’t want to miss God’s best for our lives. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6). “He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way” (Psalm 25:9).

As we look for guidance and the will of God for the future, we will find that He has already revealed His will in relation to many areas of life. God’s first and foremost will is that we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him as our Savior and Lord (John 6:40). The purity of our life is His will (1 Thessalonians 4:3). Pray (1 Thessalonians 5:17), assemble for worship (Hebrews 10:25), and proclaim Christ (Acts 1:8) – this is His revealed will for us. Many other requirements that are in His will are already given to us in His Word. There is nothing mysterious about it.

Practical Guidelines for Following the Will of God

You must have a true desire to do the will of God (John 7:17)
You must be willing to give up your will (Acts 20:22-44)
Be willing to pray and wait, seeking God’s will (1 John 5:14-15; Matthew 7:7-8; James 5:16)
God leads us through His Written Word. The Bible is the most basic and vital element in knowing God’s will (Psalm 119: 66,105).
God leads us through the convictions He gives through the inner promptings of the Spirit of God (Romans 8:14; Philippians 2:12-13; Proverbs 16:9).
God leads us through the counsel of mature, wise and godly Christians
The leading of your circumstances. Sometimes opportunities and circumstances are tied to the will of God; but NOT ALWAYS. We need to use our consecrated common sense and test the circumstances first by the Scriptures and the other factors already outlined here.
God leads us in His will by giving us confidence and inner peace over our decisions (Colossians 3:15).

The will of God for our lives is a reality. It is knowable. God will communicate His will and lead us in it if we are committed to doing His will. It demands dedication and surrender. It requires faith and action. Ask the Lord, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” (Acts 22:10). He will definitely give you the answer. You must be willing to do it once He makes it clear.

If you are right in your standing with God, leading a life that is pleasing to Him, walking in the light of His Word and under the guidance and leadership of the Holy Spirit, then I believe you will know His will and fulfill it for His glory.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory, both now a forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).

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