3 steps toward what you do not have

Rob Streetman June 21, 2019

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My experience in pursuing God has shown me that the further we journey with God and search out His kingdom mysteries, the more we discover what we do not yet have—everything He has either promised or expects of His children. This includes hearing, direction, discipline, fruit, gifts, faith and understanding—just to name a few.

God has a way for us to receive and be faithful in all He has offered and commanded. He is working in us to will and do to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). His Son is making us and the Holy Spirit is transforming us through the renewing of our minds (Mark 1:17, Romans 12:2). It is by grace, through faith, that we are saved—to walk in the Father’s good work (Ephesians 2:8-10).

There is little that we, the sons and daughters of God, bring to the table. We are not sufficient for such things. Knowing this, God provides. 

Why is this so difficult?

Most of us have a favorite and ready answer (e.g., “dying to self is hard”; or “our enemies are fighting us tooth-and-nail”). A dozen or more responses would be correct, but that’s not the direction we are trying to go with this. Here we hope to offer three spiritually practical steps every Christian can take to join the Godhead in the good work They will save, sanctify and transform us.

How do we take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us (Philippians 3:12)? How do we become faithful stewards of the mysteries of God (1Corinthians 4:1)? How do we partake of the greater-than life (John 14:12)?

The following steps are God’s way for the deeper Christian life:

1. Ask God to give us faith for the grace He has offered. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the (rhema, spoken) Word of God (Romans 10:17). It is impossible to over-emphasize the importance of our quiet time with God—time invested to wait and listen.

2. Ask Him to stir up (or set aflame) the desire in our heart for the thing we are missing.He has promised to give it to those who will surrender to Him (Psalm 37:4).

3. Search, both in the Bible and in our being.In the Bible, we find truth to reckon as our own and meaning for our meditation. We ask God to search our hearts and reveal what He finds—our misguided motivations, fears and ways of thinking. We confess our sin and trust Him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1John 1:9).

In conclusion, these steps are listed in a somewhat prescriptive order. However, we should be open and obedient to the Spirit’s leading.

Also, those who find this process to be too difficult have only one remaining option: to throw themselves onto the mercy seat of God. Keep crying out for Him to convict, draw and secure you. Ask Him to increase your hunger and thirst for righteousness and your discomfort with the world. Seek Him with as much of your heart as you are able.

Photo source: istock 

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Rob Streetman serves the body of Christ as President of two parachurch ministries: inLight Consulting (a workplace transformation ministry) and 2:2 Collective (a unity and church growth ministry). He is the author of two books: The Map Maker and A Storm is Coming. Rob’s heart desires is to encourage, edify and equip Christian leaders as disciple-makers and transformation agents—that they would become houses that stand in the storms of this life. He previously worked in various IT industry positions. Learn More »

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