Jul 312012
 

“Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught…” Titus 1(9)

onward and upwardThe Christian experience is to be an ongoing life of ever-increasing growth and spiritual blessings. The initial reception of salvation is to be followed by a progressive and victorious walk of faith. The direction of the Christian believer is not backwards, but rather it is onward and upward. The Apostle Paul speaks to us concerning this in Hebrews 10(38-39); “Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

We are on a glorious path that increases in brightness as we move forward. “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.” Proverbs 4(18) We joyfully travel this Christian pathway, looking forward to the wonderful things in store for us. “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.” Titus 2(13)

As we move beyond the victory of salvation through faith in Christ, we are to grow and add to our faith. “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” II Peter 1(5-8)

— By Rev J. H. Olson