We find that some people come to church only to improve their standard of living. Some years ago, there was even an impression that Church X was “the church of wealthy people,” and that anyone who worshiped there would surely be blessed. One of its pastors even once said, “I don’t want anyone still riding a motorcycle next year, okay….” Their standard of living changed, and the congregation was pushed to meet those rising standards.
Ultimately, it became misguided. The focus shifted from how believers are restored to God’s original design or His standards to worldly standards of living, which is why it is very understandable when Jesus said, “If you do not renounce everything you have, you cannot be My disciple.” The heart must be redirected first. If we do not lay aside burdens and sins, we cannot be shaped into the likeness of Jesus.
Hebrews 12:5-7
And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives.” It is for discipline that you must endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?
Every day, God certainly gives His blessing. If we are diligent, we can discern His movements as He shapes us. We will also begin to see our lacks and weaknesses. Our hearts are like a wilderness—insincerity, hidden pride that we are unable to detect—but God will reveal it.
Yet transformation is challenging (Matt. 19). It is even said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. If God were willing to use a miracle to change us instantly, surely we would plead for that. But He does not. There is a divine order that He will never violate. That order is referred to as a process, and the process unfolds gradually. In this process, vigilance is required. We meet God in the morning, and if we do not meet Him, our spiritual strength is different.
Sometimes there is a voice in our hearts: “If you don’t pray today, you will fall. You are wrong. Your life is not clean….” But we often make excuses: “What matters is that my heart is attached to God. Even if I don’t kneel, I pray 24 hours in His presence.”
It doesn’t work that way. There must be a specific time when we meet with God. It is at that time that God speaks to us. And in every meeting, we always receive something from Him. If a servant of God does not have a prayer time, his spirituality will surely be dry. He may preach, but without the depth that comes from a heart saturated with encounters with God. We receive daily new blessings when we pray and through the life experiences God allows us to face.
Romans 8:28–30 says:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.” There is the phrase, “we know now.” Why now?
We must read the preceding verse, Romans 8:17:
“And if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”
We are heirs. We are being prepared to receive an inheritance. The turmoil of this world means nothing compared to eternity. In the past, we were easily disturbed. Now, we no longer want to be troubled by trivial matters.
We are people who have been given an extraordinary place as heirs. Therefore, think like heavenly nobles! We must learn to calm and steady ourselves, for we are heirs of the Kingdom of God. And the character of someone who truly inherits the Kingdom together with the Lord Jesus will surely be evident in his life.