Math Test

Where is the condition of your spiritual life today?  Careful – this might surprise you . . .

Start:

• First, I begin with my age at conversion, then I:
  • subtract in all the time I’ve spent practicing sin since then
  • subtract all the time repenting, dealing with and overcoming sin
  • subtract all the time serving my own dreams and plans
  • subtract all the time in going to church and pretending to serve the Lord
  • subtract all the time I’ve wasted on watching TV, internet surfing and playing video games
  • subtract all the time spent on ungodly love interests
  • subtract all the time I’ve spent feeling sorry for myself because I’ve been bypassed
  • subtract all the time I’ve been mad, upset or perturbed at my parents, spouse or friends
  • subtract all the time spent in living in past failures (or successes)
  • subtract all the time I spent sleeping past daybreak
• Secondly, I:
  • add in all the time I’ve spent in prayer
  • add in all the time I’ve spent in the word
  • add in all the time I’ve spent loving others
  • add all the time I’ve spent serving others
  • add in all the time spent genuinely serving God
  • add all the time I’ve spent developing my talents and gifts
  • add all the time I’ve spent in proper rest, re-creation and meditation on my life and how well it’s fitting into God’s plan for me
  • add all the time spent doing what’s right, loving mercy, and humbly living my life before God and man
• Finally, I:
  • factor in God’s redemptive nature in that He helps me make up for wasted living
  • factor in the gifts, talents, and abilities He has given me
  • factor in the sovereignty of God’s careful watch over my individual destiny

ANSWER:

This is the current condition of – and effectiveness of – my life for the Kingdom of God . . . today!

Well friends, this might not be very scientific but, I hope you get the point:  “We are where we are because of God’s grace.”  Isn’t He Awesome?!  Aren’t you thankful?  I sure am . . .

Anyway, I though this would be a fun exercise to remind us that:

Yes, God has saved us, forgiven us, and given us purpose, hope, and peace with Him – AND BECAUSE OF THAT – we choose to live for Him and His Glory!

Love you all,

Steve 🙂

Galatians 6:7-10
Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. ⁸  Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. ⁹  So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. ¹⁰  Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.