EVER ASCENDING
Do not lose your own safe foothold. But grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17, 18, N.E.B.
Mountain climbers understand how important it is to find a safe foothold before continuing upward. Only the reckless will move before they are sure of their position. Caution, however, does not imply inertness. In fact, to be cautious suggests that movement is anticipated. Fear produces inactivity. It is altogether a different matter to yell "Stop!" than it is to warn "Be careful!"
In the area of Christian growth, three distinct attitudes prevade: recklessness, caution, and fear. I believe our view of God will decide which attitude we adopt. In 2 Peter 3:4, we read of the reckless approach to God: "Where now is the promise of his coming? Our fathers have been laid to rest, but still everything continues exactly as it has always been since the world began" (N.E.B.). Such people believe that God is uninvolved in the affairs of men--either because He doesn't exist, doesn't care, or is so indulgent that He won't react.
God cares a great deal! Verse 9 tells us, "It is not that the Lord is slow in fulfilling his promise, as some suppose, but that he is very patient with you, because it is not his will for any to be lost, but for all to come to repentance" (N.E.B.)--to experience a healing change of mind concerning Him.
We may be cautious without being afraid. Though warned, "Do not lose your own foothold," because of potential error, we are urged to "grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The coming of the Day of the Lord need not paralyze us with fear. We can "look eagerly" forward to it because "we have his promise" (verses 12, 13, N.E.B.). Our picture of God can be reassuringly and excitingly clear in Jesus! And Jesus promised that special preparation is being made in the Father's house for our homecoming.
We've only just begun to know the Father through Christ! By His warm and ready acceptance of us, we can be sure that God desires us ever to be ascending in our approach to Him. New insights will thrill our souls as we climb higher and higher, away from the delusions of this world. And should we slip, we know that underneath us are His everlasting arms.
Do not lose your own safe foothold. But grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:17, 18, N.E.B.
Mountain climbers understand how important it is to find a safe foothold before continuing upward. Only the reckless will move before they are sure of their position. Caution, however, does not imply inertness. In fact, to be cautious suggests that movement is anticipated. Fear produces inactivity. It is altogether a different matter to yell "Stop!" than it is to warn "Be careful!"
In the area of Christian growth, three distinct attitudes prevade: recklessness, caution, and fear. I believe our view of God will decide which attitude we adopt. In 2 Peter 3:4, we read of the reckless approach to God: "Where now is the promise of his coming? Our fathers have been laid to rest, but still everything continues exactly as it has always been since the world began" (N.E.B.). Such people believe that God is uninvolved in the affairs of men--either because He doesn't exist, doesn't care, or is so indulgent that He won't react.
God cares a great deal! Verse 9 tells us, "It is not that the Lord is slow in fulfilling his promise, as some suppose, but that he is very patient with you, because it is not his will for any to be lost, but for all to come to repentance" (N.E.B.)--to experience a healing change of mind concerning Him.
We may be cautious without being afraid. Though warned, "Do not lose your own foothold," because of potential error, we are urged to "grow in the grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." The coming of the Day of the Lord need not paralyze us with fear. We can "look eagerly" forward to it because "we have his promise" (verses 12, 13, N.E.B.). Our picture of God can be reassuringly and excitingly clear in Jesus! And Jesus promised that special preparation is being made in the Father's house for our homecoming.
We've only just begun to know the Father through Christ! By His warm and ready acceptance of us, we can be sure that God desires us ever to be ascending in our approach to Him. New insights will thrill our souls as we climb higher and higher, away from the delusions of this world. And should we slip, we know that underneath us are His everlasting arms.
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