How far have I gone this year?

2Q2019 Theme – Service in the Lord’s Vineyard
3Q2019 Theme – Christian and Morality
4Q2019 Theme – Christian and Morality
1Q2020 Theme – Christian and Morality
The theme approach has afforded us to sharpen our learning – What does the scriptures says? How can we practice the principles? What change do we need?
Time to start questioning how much growth and character development are we experiencing.
- How do we now treat ourselves?
- What moral principles do we subscribe to?
- Are we ready to grow up and embrace light?

After becoming a child of God, we must grow as Christians. But growth comes as a change which makes it difficult.
John 15:2 – Every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
Ephesians 4:15 – Speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head, Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 – Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
After conversion, a Christian must live a life of growth. We must totally re-examine every aspect of our lives: moral conduct, church membership, Bible study, prayer and all aspects of worship, conduct toward our spouse and children, employer and other employees, neighbors and civil rulers. We must change our action, speech, dress, and especially attitude. Anything that does not harmonize with the word of God must change.
One who is unwilling to change or who neglects to change, can never become what God wants him to be. Change is absolute fundamental to the gospel of Christ and to the life of a Christian.

Ephesians 4:22-32 – Do not just put off the old man. Put on the new man. Note the examples: Speak truth instead of falsehood (v25), work and give to others instead of stealing (v28), speak good instead of evil (v29), show kindness and forgiveness instead of anger and bitterness (v31,32).
Matthew 12:43-45 – A demon left a man but later found the man’s life still empty. He moved back in bringing seven other demons with him! Jesus applied this to Israel, but it is a general principle.
“Nature hates a vacuum.” Remove the air from a bottle, and it will try to get back in. Fill the bottle with something substantial, and the air stays out. So your life cannot stay a spiritual void. It will fill with good or evil. Replace bad habits with good and the bad is less likely to return.
For example, suppose you determine to watch less TV, so you turn it off, but sit in front of it with nothing else to do. Soon you will turn it on again. But if you become actively involved in family activities, Bible study, etc., soon you will replace it with other habits.
For every bad habit you “put off,” find some useful activity to “put on” in its place.

Maintaining focus on our goal is very key. Spiritual journey is no different.
In Phil 3:10, Paul wrote, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in His death, and so, somehow to attain to the resurrection of the dead.”
In Verses 12-14, Paul provides key principles for spiritual growth:
- WE MUST REALIZE GOD HAS A GOAL FOR OUR LIFE
- RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE NOT ARRIVED YET
- DON’T LIVE IN THE PAST
- LET US BE INTENTIONAL ABOUT OUR GROWTH
- LET US KEEP OUR EYE ON THE GOAL
How have fared this year?
What goals are we setting our eyes on as we move into the New Year?

Matt. 18:3 – Assuredly I say to you, EXCEPT you are converted and become as little children, ..
Repentance not enough, conversion comes with a new heart – Acts 3:19
Many great things about children are:
- Meekness
- the ability to be happy no matter what
- the ability to forgive those that trespass in just a second which they do naturally
- unconditional love
- Lowly in heart
- utterly ignorant and helpless and dependent on parents for all supplies
Is it possible that we are acting too old to make heaven? We all have a decision to make. Continue to rationalize our faults or become like children to make heaven?
Except ye be entirely, inwardly changed and renewed, ye cannot enter into the kingdom of God