Our edification process today is found in Romans through Philemon and how to walk holy is found in Romans 6-8. Maturity to live each role as women is dependent on learning, then applying this grace doctrine. It enables us to negotiate problems, sufferings, and serve as an ambassador and living sacrifice with godly love to be approved of God. However, once we trust the blood of Christ, the expectation of many believers is we are automatically zapped with the ability to think and live godly and suddenly know how to practically apply it in life. While God changes many things once we are justified (Rom. 5:1-2), many things require our thoughtful choice to walk by faith. (Romans 6-8) What a mind adjustment when we realize God does not zap us with perfect understanding and life doesn’t always go as planned. The flesh does not change at all once we trust Christ. Godliness and growing in Christ to make wise decisions is a slow, life-long renewal process. There will be bumps in our journey with successes but also mistakes. Together, these help us learn and grow. (Romans 8:28)
Life can be messy, and often it is through suffering that we learn and grow the most. It is much like developmental maturity from a baby to an adult. We learn some things, try to apply it, like a toddler trying to walk, experiencing problems and mistakes, but also do some things right in order to grow. Spiritual maturation happens as we acquire wisdom and then apply it. It can be hard or uncomfortable. “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? God Forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein.” (Rom. 6:1-2) God desires for us to be humble and grow through difficulties to be conformed to the image of Christ. (Rom. 8:29)
Philippians 2:12-13 teaches us that it is a spiritual workout, exercising the doctrine in our lives, becoming stronger to be more able to negotiate the challenges we face as women. Sometimes life is exceedingly difficult, pushing us past what we ever thought we could endure, even as Paul realized in II Corinthians 1:8-9. Yet, the Godhead is in us, enabling us to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” We are not able to do this on our own, nor by trying hard to be a good Christian: “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13) Developing the mind of Christ doesn’t happen automatically, but we’re to make time to read, study, meditate upon, and apply the Scriptures each day. This enables us to learn what to do, how, and what to avoid. Grace teaches us to live out each role and situation: “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.” (Titus 2:11-12) This transforming power works as we choose to exalt and apply it even when our flesh balks. Growth is dependent upon our believing the verses, then choosing to yield, letting the doctrine by the Spirit to lead: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (I Thess. 2:13) So then, we have responsibility to stay in the Word, believe, dwell upon it, and manifest Christ’s life.
Think on This: Dear ladies, even suffering and tribulation can work for us as we walk by faith in each situation. God’s grace is our way of life and thinking that empowers and transforms us: “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Cor. 12:9) We are to patiently stay in sound doctrine, believe, and work it out. Getting in spiritual shape takes time and regular effort, trusting God: “For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” (I Timothy 4:8) So what have you just learned that you can apply?
