All spiritual life and growth is based upon the principle of position. It can be summed up in one word: source.
THE quote above is found in the opening paragraph, in the opening chapter of what we have already studied, Foundations for Spiritual Growth, chapter title Position Defined and Illustrated. As we now go forward and commence our study in Principles of Spiritual Growth, it might be good to go back and reread that chapter and be reminded that Christ above all else it is our source from which all of life flows. It is imperative to understand and acknowledge our Position in Christ in order to work out in our condition the practical implications and applications of a life that is purposed to be live daily and fully “in Christ,” a phrase found countless times in the NT.
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:1)
JUST to reiterate, it is my habit in teaching from The Complete Green Letters, to review Part Two, Foundations for Spiritual Growth before venturing through Part One. So now going to Part One, Principles of Spiritual Growth, here are the topics we are about to delve into. The chapter titles that present principles that need to rightly understood for proper growth in Christ are: Faith, Time, Acceptance, Purpose, Preparation, Complete in Him, Appropriation, Identification, Consecration, Self, Self-Denial, Discipleship, Process of Discipleship, Rest, Help, Cultivation, and Continuance.
IT is my prayer and desire that you find this study the blessing and encouragement that it has been to me over the many years of my Christian life. Please feel free to let me know your thoughts as we go forward.
In the wondrous blessings of Christ,
Joe
Neh. 8:10, Isa. 30:15 & Job 2:10
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Chapter 1—Faith
The aim of this book is to carefully bring out some of the more important principles of spiritual growth in order to help build on a sound biblical foundation in Christ. We can honor no other.
The Holy Spirit has Paul write to each of us: “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith” (II Cor. 13:5), and the recommendation is certainly not out of order at the very inception of this series of studies. First of all, we must remind ourselves that “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Heb. 11:6) Moreover, and this is all important, true faith must be based solely on scriptural facts, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). Unless our faith is established on facts, it is no more than conjecture, superstition, speculation or presumption.
Hebrews 11:1 leaves no question about this: “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Faith standing on the facts of the Word of God substantiates and gives evidence of things not seen. And everyone knows that evidence must be founded on facts. All of us started on this principle when we were born again—our belief stood directly on the eternal fact of the redeeming death and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, as recorded in I Corinthians 15:1–4. This is the faith by which we began, and it is the same faith by which we are to “stand” (16:13), “walk” (II Cor. 5:7) and “live” (Gal. 2:20). “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Col. 2:6).
..…To be continued
