We all want to grow in our faith. But sometimes it feels like nothing is happening. Rest assured, when you stick to Jesus, the Holy Spirit keeps on working on you and you are maturing no matter how you feel. You see, it really is the work of Christ in you. But, yeah, reading the Bible and all the demands God lays on us can be daunting. Yet I have an encouraging word for you today. When in Christ, all these demands are “promises in bud”, like Bruce Milne in his book Know the Truth puts it.
This is a remarkable way to see the demands of the Bible. We can’t but Christ in us can. All the commands of Scripture are glorious promises for all who are in Christ. One day you will be able to do what God commands of us. So all the commands are really promises in bud. When Christ will return, the good work will be finished in us. Until then we are God’s works in progress.
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. (Phil. 1:6, NLT)
Promises in bud
So we can read the Bible in a new way. We don’t have to feel desperate when we read “you shall…” in Scripture. Instead, we can see them as promises in bud and already praise God for working in us so that one day all of them will become true. And, even now, the Holy Spirit is empowering us to grow in faith and strive to do what God asks us to do.
Hence, all the commands of Scruptires are glorious promises for all of us. One day we will fulfill all of them. Until then we keep growing in grace. No one can become all that God asks of us on their own but there is plenty of grace and hope for everyone. God can change you and your life. And he will complete the transformation the day Jesus returns.
Dear God,
Thank you for providing us with everything we need to grow in faith.
We could never become what you ask of us on our own.
So you send Jesus to give us grace upon grace to make us right with you.
And now you provide the aid of the Holy Spirit to help us to grow in your grace.
Thank you for not giving up on us but empowering us with your grace.
Thank you for promises in bud, thank you for hope upon hope.
We love you and we praise you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
P.S.
Aren’t we blessed? Even the most daunting demands of the Bible are promises in bud. There is hope upon hope for all of us. God is not finished with us. He is working in us and through us and he will make sure all who trust him will make it home to him. Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim. God is with you all the way home!