Improving, Nonstop

I saw this title on an advertisement on a billboard in New York City and kept thinking about its meaning, in a wider sense, as I passed by. I reflected on how, as Christians, we have a responsibility to improve ourselves, nonstop, by reading the Bible and doing as it commands, so that we can be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ ( Romans 8:29).

As babies, we require milk for our nourishment but as we grow, we require more than milk to sustain us. In the same way, when we are spiritual babies (newly born again), we are nourished with the milk of the Word which is repentance from dead works, faith toward God, doctrine of baptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgment (Hebrews 6:1-2). However, we are expected to progress from spiritual babies to spiritual adults; from requiring milk to using strong meat; from being students to teachers of the Word; and to eventually grow to full age being able, by reason of exercise, to discern between good and evil. (Hebrews 5:14).

Our spiritual growth is enhanced by renewing our minds daily with God’s Word. By this, we are able to know God’s will and if we do as we know, we become more and more transformed to the image of Christ and less and less conformed to the systems of this world. We are also advised by the Paul, the Apostle, to study the word of God so that we may gain approval from God and we will be able to handle God’s word when the occasion arises.

And you may wonder if there are any benefits of improving ourselves nonstop. God has promised to surely bless the one who reads His word continuously and remembers what he/she has read (James 1:25).

 Beloved, when we look daily into the “perfect law of liberty” we are changed from glory to glory and we have the mind of Christ. I encourage you to make the effort to improve nonstop by reading the Word of God daily, line upon line and precept upon precept, and doing as it says.