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The Bible often teaches us the need to look back in time before
we can move forward in our Christian growth. The apostle Paul
used the example of the unfaithful Israelites to exhort the Christians
in Corinth to remain faithful and steadfast. He used Israel's
mistakes in the wilderness as an illustration of how those in
Corinth could fall from the faith if they did not remain diligent.
He wrote, "Now all these things happened to them as examples,
and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends
of the ages have come. Therefore let him who thinks he stands
take heed lest he fall" (1 Cor. 10:11-12). We can also
use the Bible to learn how to deal with the trials and issues
we face today by seeing how God's people handled them in the
past. Paul stated that to the Romans when he said, "For
whatever things were written before were written for our learning,
that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might
have hope" (Rom. 15:4). We should follow the Bible's example and occasionally look back on our own lives so we can grow from our spiritual victories and try not to repeat our failures. Paul exhorted the Corinthians to do this when he wrote, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? - unless indeed you are disqualified" (2 Cor. 13:5). The end of the year serves as an excellent time for us to take spiritual inventory. Let's take a few moments to do so while we ask ourselves several questions. 1. Did I study my Bible in 2010? Paul stated, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Our faith grows when we read, study, and hear the word of God. If we didn't commit to studying and regularly reading the Bible, it would have prevented us from growing in the faith. Paul exhorted Timothy to "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV). Let's all ask ourselves: "Will I grow in 2011 by reading and studying the Bible like I did in 2010?" 2. Did I have an active prayer life in 2010? A praying Christian is a growing Christian! A weak prayer life can weaken our faith and isolate us from God. When we fail to pray, we fail to give God the thanks and praise He deserves. We also fail to cast all our "cares upon Him" (1 Pet. 5:7), which will cause us to fall short of experiencing the "peace of God, which surpasses all understanding" (Phil. 4:7). We receive forgiveness when we pray and confess our sins to God (1 John 1:9). Paul wrote that we should "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thess. 5:17), and "continue earnestly in prayer" (Col. 4:2). Will we grow in 2011 if we pray like we did in 2010? 3. Did I work, worship, and serve with my fellow Christians in 2010? We are part of the greatest institution in the universe - the church of Christ. As priests, servants, and brethren in God's kingdom, we have the opportunity to assemble together for worship and fellowship (Heb. 10:24-25). We also have the opportunity to serve and care for one another as we do the work of the church (Gal. 6:1-5; Rom. 12:9-16). Are we taking advantage of these blessings like we should be? Remember, these blessings are also commands to be followed. A Christian's work is never done (1 Cor. 15:58). Again, let's ask ourselves: "Will I grow in 2011 if I work, worship, and serve like I did in 2010?" Remember, sometimes we have to look back before we can move forward. Let's all look back on 2010 with the hope and prayers of making 2011 a year of spiritual growth and Christian joy. -Ed |