By Pastor Joe Balaan
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An evangelist once said, “Anything that is alive, grows.” This means that anything that has life grows—progresses. But why do we need to be progressive? In what aspect of our lives do we need to be progressive?
Luke 2:52 tells us that Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. And in 1 Peter 2:21 tells us that we must follow Jesus’ steps.
In today’s message, we will learn the biblical why’s and how’s of the idea of progressiveness.
I. Why do we need to be progressive?
1. Because it is God’s command – In Genesis 35:11, God instructed Jacob to be fruitful and increase in number while in John 15:16 Jesus said to the people to go and bear fruit that will last. Even in the very beginning, God’s command to people is to be fruitful. It is God’s command for us to progress, may it be to your work, studies or anything that you do.
2. It is a sign that God is with you – In verse 9 of Genesis 35 tells how God talked and went up to Jacob—how amazing is their relationship. Being progressive is a sign that you let God reign in your life, that you live a progressive life with Him.
3. It is a sign of God’s blessing and provision – The very presence of God is enough to attract the prosperity we need in our lives. In the book of Deuteronomy chapter 28, it tells us the blessings for obedience. If we obey God and be more Christ-like, we progress and prosper in life.
II. How can we be progressive?
1. Let God change your character – Jacob let God change his name, as well as his being and with this, he is blessed with the same blessing as Abraham and Isaac. Now as a Christian have you fully accepted that God would change your life in order to prosper you?
2. Live according to God’s plan – When God instructed Jacob to be fruitful and increase in number, he obeyed and so he was blessed. If we want to be progressive in our lives, we must abide and live according to God’s plan for us. For it is true that God knows the plans He has for us, plans not to bring harm but to prosper us.
3. Keep your faith active in any situation of your life – In Genesis 35, Jacob set up a stone pillar where God talked with him, he also poured out a drink offering and oil on it. It is a sign that Jacob values his faith on God as well as the promises He had for him.
Reflect: Are you being progressive in your life? Remember to find your character in God. If your God is progressive, shouldn’t you be like Him? Keep in mind that no one is kept imprisoned in a low situation because of “obstructions” he is kept imprisoned because of his wrong viewpoint of himself. Refocus yourself on God and His plans for you and you will live a progressive life you could ever imagine.
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