Lord's Day Devotion - Knowledge and Discernment

 

The more we read and learn of Christ, we will obviously know more of His character and holiness.  This in turn will bring a believer greater discernment in how to live in Christlike manner.

Take a look at these words which were written by the apostle Paul while he was in prison for his faith and knowledge of Christ.

"And this is my prayer:  that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ - to the glory and praise of God" (Philippians 1:9-11 NIV).

These verses show me Paul's tender loving care for the Philippian believers.  He wanted what was good and best for them.  That is, with the knowledge and insight about Jesus, they would be made ever increasingly pure and blameless, with the righteousness that comes through Jesus.

The more we know of Jesus, the more we will understand Him and obey Him.  As we do, we will be more like Him in purity, living a sanctified life after having been justified and made righteous in God's sight through faith in Jesus Christ.

The sanctified life of continued living in holiness is accomplished by living in the knowledge and depth of insight of Christ.  When a I discern the right and pleasing path I will give glory and praise to God when I obediently follow Him and His ways.

This Lord's Day, let each follower of Jesus Christ keep these thoughts in mind.  It has only been through our salvation through faith in Him we are saved, justified and sanctified.

As we partake of the broken bread, remember our righteousness comes only through Jesus.  As we drink of the cup of wine, remember it is because of Jesus' intimate knowledge and depth of insight into His Father's will, His obedience to His Father's will and His love for us, that we have been made worthy in God's sight, to eat and drink in showing Jesus's death until He comes.

Give thanks with a cheerful heart.

Abba Father, thank you for your Holy Spirit who came to those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ as Savior via your offer of salvation.  This is when you made us righteous in your sight.

With Holy Spirit's help we can learn more of Jesus and gain greater insight of Him and for living a more holy life on a day-to-day basis, so we will be more fully holy as you are holy - living progressively more sanctified from the inside out.

We give you our thanks and praise and will live to bring you more glory with your help and strength through your Holy Spirit's aiding and abetting.  May we each continue to be transformed according to Jesus' likeness through continued gaining of knowledge and depth of insight and discernment.

In Jesus' name we praise and pray.

                                               ~ERC  September 2023~

Based on Philippians 1:9-11 NIV.

Sing, Goodness of God, along with Bethel Music.