There are four ingredients in spiritual growth: (2 Chronicles 7:14)
My People
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
– 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 (NIV)
The term “My People” today is referring to those who have accepted Jesus Christ (the gift of grace) whom God gave to his people.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—
– Ephesians 2:8 (NIV)
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
– Romans 10:17 (NIV)
21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
– Acts 20:21 (NIV)
Grace – Faith – Repentance.
- Repentance
- Is when we become aware that our sins have separated us from God. Acknowledging our guiltiness and accepting God’s gift.
1. Be Humble
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
– 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 (NIV)
- Humble – Hebrew – כָּנַע (Kaw-nah’)
- – To be brought low.
- – To be under.
- – To be brought into subjection.
We are the servants – He is the Master.
2. Prayer
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
– 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 (NIV)
- Pray – Hebrew – פָּלַל (paw-lal’)
- – To intervene.
- – To intercede.
Going to God activaly in our daily lives
and NOT demanding things.
3. Seek His Face
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
– 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 (NIV)
- Seek – Hebrew – בָּקַשׁ (baw-kash’)
- – To find.
- – To secure.
- – To search out.
- – To strive after.
Seek not just him but his “FACE”. Making it a personal connection in which you strive to see him and know him.
4. Turn
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
– 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 (NIV)
- Turn – Hebrew – שׁוּב (shoob)
- – To return or turn back.
Acknowledging that God is Lord and repenting from our wordly sins so that we can remove the seperation which keeps us from focusing on him.
CONFORMING
29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.
– Romans 8:29 (NIV)
- Justification – Greek – δικαιόω – dikaióō (dik-ah-yo’-o):
- – Something that we receive by faith in Jesus Christ, where God then pronounces “You are now Justified” – You are then made righteous, not because of your own works, but because of what Jesus has done.
- Sanctification – Greek – ἁγιάζω – hagiazó (hag-ee-ad’-zo):
- – To separate from profane things and to dedicate to God – Dedicate people to God – To purify.
Justification is a legal declaration by God that is instantaneous whereas Sanctification is a PROCESS that is worked on by you and God.
2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
– Romans 12:2 (NIV)
20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
– Galatians 2:20 (NIV)
Living to Please God
As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.
– 1 Thessalonians 4:1 (NIV)
Sanctification is the process of being set apart for God’s work and being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. It is not instantaneous because it is not the work of God alone. He sanctifies us when we have been justified through faith (He then sets us apart), then the part of the sanctification of the holy spirit and us steps in… it is a PROCESS. The justified person is actively involved in submitting to God’s will, resisting sin, seeking holiness and working to be more godly.
5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
– Romans 8:5 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
– Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Why is this important?
23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. 24 Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
– John 14:23-24 (NIV)
Things to Remember:
- You can NOT earn your salvation, it is a gift from God.
- To humble yourself is to place yourself below God.
- We are called to be different than the people of this world.
- The way we act, think and do things should change on a daily basis.
- Stay focused on eternal things.
- Your love for the Father, comes forth in your obedience to His word.
- Being part of a fellowship will help you through the struggles involved during your turning process.
- You are either all in or you are not.