Growing in Christ (1)

But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus… Ephesians 4.20, 21

A Divine and Supernatural Light
Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758)
“This knowledge will wean from the world, and raise the inclination to heavenly things. It will turn the heart to God as the fountain of good, and to choose him for the only portion. This light, and this only, will bring the soul to a saving close with Christ. It conforms the heart to the gospel, mortifies its enmity and opposition against the scheme of salvation therein revealed; it causes the heart to embrace the joyful tidings, and entirely to adhere to, and acquiesce in the revelation of Christ as our Saviour; it causes the whole soul to accord and symphonize with it, admitting it with entire credit and respect, cleaving to it with full inclination and affection; and it effectually disposes the soul to give up itself entirely to Christ.”

Only true spiritual knowledge can draw a person on in his or her walk with the Lord. Such knowledge leads us to love the things of Christ more than the world, and to aspire to Kingdom and heavenly greatness as our modus vivendi. Such knowledge comes only in the very presence of Christ, through the ministry of His Word and Spirit. And such knowledge comes to the people of God as faithful shepherds and teachers live, instruct, pray, exhort, and lead those in their care into the very presence of the risen and reigning Christ. As we think, talk, and teach about growing in the Lord, let us have clearly in mind this overriding objective: That we connect people with Christ, lead them by the hand, placing theirs in His, bring them into His presence and glory, as co-workers with the Spirit of God, so that His divine and supernatural light penetrates their souls, enlivens their hope, and expands the horizons of their walk with and work for Him. If by our teaching and disciple-making we can do this much, the Lord Jesus will take it from there.
Would you say that, in your ministry, you are consistently seeing people come into contact with this divine and supernatural light? Is this a matter of daily prayer with you?

If Men Will Pray
Paul said that he wanted men everywhere to pray. But that won’t just happen. Someone will have to take the lead in showing men how to pray, enlisting them for the work, and helping them grow in consistency and power in their prayers. You have to start somewhere. Our booklet, If Men Will Pray, is a tool for learning to pray following Paul’s guidelines in 1 Timothy 2.1-8, and for enlisting another man for a 30-day prayer journey together. Watch this brief video, then order several copies of this booklet, and start enlisting your men for fuller, more consistent, and more satisfying lives of prayer (click here).

The calling to make disciples
As pastors and church leaders, making disciples is our primary calling. But we need to make sure we’re growing as disciples, and that our tools for disciple-making are in top condition. Our book, Fan into Flame, provides an overview of the work of disciple-making, together with helpful assessments to discover areas where you most need to grow. Order your copy by clicking here.

The Fellowship of Ailbe is supported through the generous and faithful gifts of those who benefit from and believe in our work. Does the Lord want to use you in this way? Please look to Him in prayer over this question. You can contribute to The Fellowship of Ailbe by using the Contribute button at our website, or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452. Thank you.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.All quotations from Jonathan Edwards, “A Divine and Supernatural Light,” in Edward Hickman, ed., The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol. Two (Edinburgh: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1995), pp. 12 ff.