LSEM > Devotions > Forward Progress

Forward Progress

  • November 2, 2021
  • Posted by: Carolyn Mahal
  • Category: Devotions
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Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.  Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, “All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.” – 1 Peter 1:13-25

In football, there are several plays throughout the game that will be critical to the outcome. Sometimes it comes as an amazing catch, a kick return, or a violent tackle. Every play is a struggle to gain as many yards as possible to move the team forward while your opponent tries to stop you. Some plays end with a ball carrier getting tackled by a large group of defenders who push and shove the player back as far as they can. However, the runner is credited with his forward progress. The officials note how far forward the ball was advanced and that is where the ball is placed for the next play.

Our faith walk sometimes feels like that same overwhelming struggle. Even a 275 lb. linebacker doesn’t always compare to the pressures we feel crashing down upon us. Finances, careers, relationships, addictions, family, health, and countless other stressors can blindside us, leaving us face down, powerless, and lacking the strength or desire to go any farther.

How fortunate for us that this is the perfect place for us to be: face down, not trusting in our own power or strength to move us forward. Peter reminds us of this need to place our hope in Christ as he writes: “set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” As obedient children, we transform ourselves. We go from teacher to student, from master to servant, from leader to follower. While this may seem an undesirable transformation on the surface, it is a necessary and beneficial change that is made by the Spirit of God on our behalf.

Why do we deserve it? Verses 18-19 provide the answer: “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” We didn’t deserve this. We didn’t make this happen. Nothing that we’ve done throughout our lives has made this happen. Instead, Christ has provided the gift through His death and resurrection and the Spirit has brought us to this knowledge and sustained this work in our lives.

So, what do we do with it? Verses 22-23 show the way: “Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God” This transformation is not possible on our own, but by God, through whom all things are possible. Therefore, we rely upon God for not only our forgiveness and salvation, but also for the strength to fulfill the destiny that God has laid before us. In this we never go back, but always mark our forward progress in Him.

 

Devotion by Richard Schumacher

LSEM Director of Programs & Services