What We were Meant to be

If we aren’t experiencing joy in our spiritual lives, perhaps we may need to get on track with what we were meant to be. The path of spiritual development described for us in Scripture has several distinct features:
➤ Establishment: We are meant to create a relationship with Jesus on the terms He outlines in the New Testament (Rom. 6:16-18; I Peter 1:22-23). These include hearing His word (Rom. 10:17); believing in Him with the whole heart (Rom. 10:9); repentance (Rom. 2:4); confession of faith (Rom. 10:10); and being baptized into Him (Rom. 6:3-5). Have you you completed these steps?
➤ Engagement: We are meant to be a part of a group of other Christians, designed along the lines given to us in the New Testament, in which we worship and build relationships with one another (I Cor. 12:13). Are you recognized as a member of the local body? (Acts 2:47; 9:26; Rom. 12:4-5). There’s no such thing as a “Christian-at-large.”
➤ Equipment: We are meant to increase our knowledge and skill in the practices and virtues of Christianity (II Tim. 2:15).
➤ Enlargement: We are meant to grow (II Peter 3:18; Heb. 5:12-14), and should be continually improving in a broad range of areas, such as faith, love, peace, courage, patience, kindness and self-discipline (see Gal. 5:22-23; II Peter 1:5-10).
➤ Employment: We are meant to be workers for the Lord (Eph. 2:10), and to use what we are acquiring – material and immaterial – in service to Jesus (I Tim. 6:6-19), with the goal of both glorifying Him and compelling others to seek Him (Matt. 5:13-16).
➤ Enjoyment: We are meant to experience gladness and peace of mind through Christ. Jesus means for us to have an abundant life (John 10:10). Of course, this doesn’t mean flawless (I John 1:6-10) nor easy (Job 14:1), but it can be joyful (Phil. 4:4; I Thess. 5:16-18). Who could be sad knowing heaven awaits us? (Matt. 5:12; John 11:25; 16:33; II Tim. 4:6-8).