New and Renewed approach to Discipleship and Spiritual Formation through Dwelling In the Word
Post: New and Renewed approach to “Dwelling in the Word”
The reader of any of the previous posts will readily understand much time has elapsed since any new posts were written. The explanation I offer for such a delay is that the desire to establish the web page and specifically the blog was born out of an attempted adjustment to retirement. Since the initial approach to the blog, I am convinced the Lord Jesus Christ has not only called me to blog but to blog with a purpose to encourage other true believers to dwell in His word for the purpose of knowing Him in view of His prayer in John 17:15-21.
The Lord not only prayed for the sanctification of those unto whom He gives eternal life, but He sanctifies Himself for the sanctification of them. This is a word we must reflect upon for a minute, because it is Jesus Christ the Son of God speaking to the Father, asking Him to sanctify authentic believers through the word of God. Elsewhere we are told that we are to grow in Christlikeness; some refer to the process of sanctification as spiritual formation. I therefore ask those who will join with me to dwell in the word of God as each experiences the sanctification our Lord desires for each of us. As we do so let each of us be reminded of the joy of knowing our God in His word, but also to remember knowing God is intended to change us and to bring us to obedience to His word in our daily lives. We must also remember the place of prayer as essential in a believer’s life. Additionally, today in our world, which puts the emphasis on individualism, we must understand the primacy of a local body of Christ. Sanctification, growth in Christlikeness, or spiritual formation only occurs as we are obedient to dwell in the word of God, to be faithful in prayer, and to serve in and worship with the body (church) of Christ.
The words of others help us to understand the importance of dwelling in the word of God with a focus on sanctification. Samuel Rutherford’s words contained in the little book entitled The Loveliness of Christ is one such encouragement. He writes, “I urge upon you . . . a nearer communion with Christ, and a growing communion with Christ. There are curtains to be drawn in Christ we never saw, and new foldings of love in Him.” In his booklet entitled Truth for All Time, John Calvin writes, “Now eternal and immortal life can be found nowhere except in God. It follows then, that the main care and concern for our life is to seek God. We should long for Him with all the affection of our hearts. And not find rest and peace anywhere except in Him.” Dr. Gary Thomas, a student of J.I. Packer who has become a Christian minister, teacher and professor, holds that the tragedy of Adam’s fall is the separation of his fellowship from God and his inability to know and grow in relationship with God. He goes on to explain that God is the one who sought Adam so much that it led to the cross of Christ. Christ died because God desires fellowship with those who are His.
Being encouraged by these divines of old, along with those who are more contemporary, we must turn to the word of God. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Philippians [Phil. 1:27-30], Paul commands the Philippians to always conduct their lives (walk) in a manner that is worthy of the gospel. Paul follows this command with admonitions not to look only on one’s personal interests, but to care for others. Paul then moves to a wonderfully sublime command to have in you the mind that is in Christ. This demands sanctification or spiritual formation.
This post is intended to stir us up to dwell in the word with a heart’s desire for continual growth in Christlikeness. As a concluding note, let me explain this web page contains only the blog at present, but it is a work in progress. I pray it will eventually expand to include resource referrals, podcasts, etc.
Beginning with the next post, we explore Paul’s letter to Titus as he instructs Titus in setting things in order at Crete. This is an exciting letter, which I have been studying with a friend as we meet on zoom once a week. I am looking forward to presenting some posts that rise out of that study. Until the next post, be blessed as you dwell in the word of God.