But if the unbeliever departs, let him depart; a brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases. But God has called us to peace.
When you read the title to this article, what came to your mind? If you were honest, possibly trying to answer your place in the church or maybe your career came to mind or possibly you did not know. The emphasis here is a general calling, this calling would either to continue on the road of sin which leads to turmoil, rebellion, evil or the calling to be at rest in Jesus Christ, a realized peace without understanding.
All Christians are called to this rest in Jesus Christ. Some while being born-again behave as if they had not been by clinging to the turmoil. Being faithful in the promises of God, but not fully in that you still find drama and conflict appealing. The desire is to blend in with your old life, you know its wrong and feel terrible, but its there. Does it mean you are not saved? Not necessarily in that despite this behavior, you are greatly striving to repent of this. With each new situation or issue God puts on your plate, you are learning to be at total rest in Jesus Christ. In other words a saved soul will realize growth and maturity, an unsaved sinner departs as 1 Corinthians 7:15 says above which is in reference to marriage, but can also be applied to every sinner.
What is this rest and peace that Scripture speaks about? In Jesus Christ, a saved Christian will realize first and foremost that He is sovereign. That your sins have been paid for and your citizenship is not of this world, but in Heaven above now. There is absolutely NO turmoil, no conflict, no drama, in Heaven so the striving is to behave this way here and now. Imagine being in the presence of God in Heaven, knowing that everything is under His control, would you worry, would you be anxious, would you question Him? The answer would be no, so then ask yourself why aren’t you behaving this way right now? What is the wait? Are you saying that only those in Heaven can trust God? If so, it speaks to little faith, not lack of faith, but little faith.
How do we grow our little faith into bigger faith?
1. By staying in the word of God. Studying it, feeding on it as if it was your only food or drink, living by it as your ultimate authority for faith and practice.
2. By communing with God always, praying without ceasing which means always looking for Him in everything.
3. Jesus says in Luke 16:10 He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much.
This means trusting God in everything!
4. By asking God to help your unbelief just as the man asked Jesus inMark 9:24
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
There will be highly trying times in your life, these are the times when we should always turn to God first in our life. Cry out to Him, He will help your unbelief.
5. By stating publicly your witness and testimony in Jesus Christ. This will grow your faith as you see others who are drawn to your witness and will fellowship with you.
6. By sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in truth, boldness, and conviction. You will see the promises of God played out right before your eyes.
7. By always exalting the name of Jesus Christ, not just name dropping, but His person and work, praising Him, thanking Him, glorifying Him.
8. Doing ALL things to the glory of God! Removing yourself from the equation of what you accomplish and rather giving the glory to God alone in ALL things, not somethings, but ALL things.
9. Striving for holiness and repenting from the evils of your life. Removing yourself from the evils of this world and seeing your faith as God-centered not man-centered will surely grow your little faith into big faith!
If we practice these 9 items daily as a discipline, our faith will surely grow. And it will also mature into more of a realized rest in Jesus Christ that you have ever known.
CHristian church discernment 