The older generation will be familiar
with the opening question and answer of the Shorter Catechism. It is a
question about the purpose of our life. We are 'to glorify God'. We are
'to enjoy Him for ever'. We live our life in the light of eternity.
Through faith in Jesus Christ, we look forward to the wonderful future
God has in store for us: 'No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind
has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him' (1
Corinthians 2:9). How are we to prepare ourselves for this glorious
future? We are to pray, 'Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom' (Psalm 90:12).
We must not think only about how long we live. We must think also about
how well we live. We are to be men and women of faith, men and women
who have asked the question of salvation, 'What must I do to be saved?',
men and women who have obeyed the Gospel command, 'Believe in the Lord
Jesus, and you will be saved' (Acts 16:31). We must not think only of
ourselves. There is more to life than achieving a comfortable standard
of living. We are to be 'rich toward God' (Luke 12:21). There is more
to life than 'storing up for ourselves treasures on earth'. We must not
forget the challenge put to us by our Lord Jesus Christ: 'store up for
yourselves treasures in heaven' (Matthew 6:19-21). As we grow older,
we must not forget another type of growth – spiritual growth: 'grow in
the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ' (2 Peter
3:18).
"I am filled with the power of the Lord's Spirit" (Micah 3:8). This is what makes true ministry of God's Word so different from 'prophecy' that doesn't come from the Lord. Without the power of the Lord, there can be no Word from the Lord. We need the Word, and we need the power. "Let's go to the mountain of the Lord ...He will teach us His ways so that we may live by them" (Micah 4:2). We are taught by the Lord so that we might live for Him. Teaching and living - they belong together. We do not learn from God's Word so that we can amass more head-knowledge. We pray for a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ - a life-changing knowledge that gives us the strength that we need to live for the glory of God.
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