"Spiritual Growth, Maturity, and Christ-like Transformation"

According to the New Testament, the focus of the Christ follower is to be on spiritual growth, maturity, and Christ-like transformation! However, the emphasis of many is the focus of the "health and wealth" promises of false teachers or that of the "love of self" variety. Those things are never the focus of New Testament teachings, but are typical of today's Christianity. Just take a casual stroll through many Christian bookstores and examine the thrust of these teachings on their shelves! What's the problem? Why such a great difference between the focus of today with the New Testament teachings? The answer is, many Christ followers in America have made comfort and satisfaction their focus rather than pleasing the Lord! We're showing more concern for the fulfillment of self than we are for walking in a manner worthy of the Lord. This should not be the case! According to the New Testament teachings, the primary passion of the Christ follower is to bring glory to God. We need the biblical focus of spiritual growth, maturity, and Christ-like transformation to dominate our thinking and behavior! A worthy manner of life that brings pleasure to God is a content and thankful life that both acknowledges and stays occupied with God and His tremendous spiritual blessings of: being chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world, being predestined to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to the Father, having God's grace freely bestowed on us, having redemption through the blood of Jesus, having the forgiveness of our trespasses according to the riches of God's amazing grace, and having been sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit, who is given as a pledge of our vast inheritance! Remember, "God is most pleased in us when we are most satisfied in Him." (John Piper). This writer agrees! How about you? Your move. Be encouraged!