Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Hill Climbers (Part 2) (Psa. 24:3)

Who May Ascend Into The Hill of The Lord?

THOSE WHO WILL EXERT THEMSELVES – THAT IS, STRETCH, BEND AND MOVE –  MAY ASCEND INTO THE HILL OF THE LORD.

As I've interacted with congregants who are over the age of 60, I've heard them say repeatedly that one of the keys to successful aging is to keep moving. Seniors know that, when you stop moving, it should be because you are dead. Those who do not keep moving will, eventually, not be able to move.

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:6) That word 'walk' suggests activity, not passivity.

Climbing a hill, including the hill of the Lord, requires energy, effort and discipline.  The Christian walk contains nothing that is automatic. There is no spiritual teleporter that you step into, then have someone push a button as you say, “Beam me up, Jesus.” That worked in the television show “Star-Trek”, but has no value in real-life walking toward Jesus. (Yes, I'm aware of the Rapture, but that's not our subject today.)

What would it look like if you determined right now, “I'm going to be more careful, intentional and disciplined in my upward pursuit of Jesus? Don't say, “I have attained.” Don't say, “I have arrived.” Don't say, “There is no room for improvement.”

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 3:13-14)

No comments: