Continuing Faithfully

 Continuing incessantly…persisting repeatedly! This is the healthy attitude and discipline of those Believers who go the farthest exploring the wonders and treasures of Christ. While spiritual maturation is largely accomplished by the Spirit's effective use of the Word in our lives, there is yet the need for genuine commitment and diligence on our part as the people of God. God never devalues discipline and perseverance in the Word; actually He elevates and highlights it as a desirable quality repeatedly (1 Cor. 9:24-27; Gal. 5:23; Titus 1:8; 2:2; 2 Peter 1:6). Now notice what God said in this regard to the nation of Israel.

And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2, Command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamps to burn continually. 3, Without the vail of the testimony, in the tabernacle of the congregation, shall Aaron order it from the evening unto the morning before the LORD continually: it shall be a statute for ever in your generations. 4, He shall order the lamps upon the pure candlestick before the LORD continually. (Lev. 24:1-4)

Keeping the purest oil in the lamp, and ensuring the lamp is always burning (providing light in the Tabernacle) in the Presence of the LORD is what God required. Obedience to this regulation demanded precision, exactitude, unfailing faithfulness, commitment, and a deep respect for the privilege of service so close to the symbols of the very presence of God. In order to obey this command, Israel and the priests specifically had to be painstakingly faithful.

Sometimes Believers espouse a notion that growth into Christ's image is automatic over the process of time and the Believer rather passively arrives at greater maturity. Again it is true the actual growth is effectuated by God, but the Believer must cooperate, extend effort, invest themselves, sacrifice, deny the flesh, make weighty decisions, investigate the Word, yield more of their time, energy, treasure, and strength to this end. When we recognize that the grace of God is at work in us and through us this does not promote less diligence and commitment. No, it demands our finest efforts as we venture in concert with God's work in us (Phil. 2:12-13). Consider Paul's statement 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.” His service and spiritual progress were a product of God's efforts mingled in a fantastic way with his own diligence--a concerted effort and not a solo.

Among other things, the Spirit of God’s ministry of illumination is portrayed by these symbols (Lev. 24:1-4) so common to the Tabernacle service of Israel long ago. The Spirit helps Believers understand the Word and appreciate the essential weight of the spiritual wealth availed to us (Jn. 14:17, 26; 1 Cor. 2:9-16). He enables us to grasp what is entirely important to God even when we human beings naturally have no use for the idea, concept, or truth! As students of the Spirit and His Word our souls are renovated and filled with the treasures of God's wisdom! How blessed we are to be on the campus of this university! We must faithfully look to Him to correctly perceive, grasp, and appraise spiritual matters as we execute the will of God. This is why we are challenged repeatedly to "walk in the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16), and be "led of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:18), and encouraged to pray "in the Holy Ghost," (Jude 20). It is the expressed ministry of the Spirit of God to lead us Believers as we explore God's truth (1 Cor. 2). Beloved, this is the finest education in the universe. We do not merely learn how to make a living (which is a good thing), but we are trained in how to live for all eternity! Now, this is the greatest thing. Too often we settle for the good and never venture to embrace the great.

Yes, as a perceptive Believer you understand this is a grand and peerless opportunity being afforded each of us. But, before we can do this we must examine ourselves to ensure we are ready to proceed. Ask yourself these probing questions. Do I habitually value or under-value the privileges of knowing, approaching, and serving God? Do I take holy opportunities for granted or possibly hold them in contempt? Do I casually dismiss responsibilities God considers vital? Would I be comfortable with God treating me, the way I routinely treat Him? Obviously, faithful devotion is roundly important to our great God; this fact cannot be denied. But, is such persevering consecration something I value?