Living in Grace: There’s More!
Inspired by today’s Abide Above devotional, 12-31.
“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age...” (Hebrews 5:13-14).
As the year draws to a close, today’s Abide Above devotional challenges us with a powerful truth: salvation is just the beginning of the believer’s journey. While the "milk of the Word" is necessary for spiritual infancy, there is so much more that God desires to reveal to us. His plan is not only to rescue us but also to mature us, drawing us into a deeper understanding of our identification with Christ and the fullness of life in Him.
Reflections on Maturity
The devotional paints a vivid picture of where many believers remain: spiritually rescued but still living in the "lifeboat," longing for the solid ground of spiritual maturity. The Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land provides a helpful parallel. While their exodus brought deliverance, it was not the destination. The wilderness represented wandering, murmuring, and spiritual immaturity—much like the state many Christians find themselves in today.
Too often, we stop short of experiencing the full implications of the Cross. We rejoice in Christ’s atoning work for our sins but fail to embrace the deeper truths of being crucified, buried, and raised with Him. These truths usher us into rest, abundance, and maturity—the Promised Land of the Christian life.
The Call to "Go On"
Hebrews 6:1 exhorts us to move beyond the elementary teachings of Christ and press on toward maturity. This does not mean abandoning foundational truths but building upon them. God allows needs and challenges in our lives to deepen our hunger for the "meat" of His Word. He wants us to know Christ not only as Savior but also as our very Life, leading us to walk in the power of His resurrection.
As we mature, our perspective shifts:
From deliverance to abundance: Recognizing Christ’s sufficiency not only to save us but also to sustain and transform us.
From self-effort to surrender: Yielding to Christ within, who is fully capable of living His life through us.
From wandering to resting: Abiding in the "Holiest of our Father’s presence," confident in our identity and fellowship with Him.
Practical Applications
Pursue deeper truths: Invest time in studying the Word to grasp your identification with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4-11).
Abide in Christ as Life: Acknowledge that He is not just a Savior from sin but your daily source of strength, wisdom, and peace (Galatians 2:20).
Embrace spiritual challenges: See trials not as setbacks but as opportunities for God to mature your faith and deepen your dependency on Him.
Live in His rest: Stop striving in your own strength and enjoy the abundance and victory that come from abiding in Him (Hebrews 4:9-10).
A Prayer for Growth
Father, thank You for the life You have given me in Christ. As I reflect on my spiritual journey, I see how often I’ve settled for less than the fullness You desire for me. I long to move beyond spiritual infancy and embrace the maturity that comes from walking with You daily. Draw me deeper into Your Word and Your heart. May Your Spirit guide me into all truth, revealing the completeness of my union with Christ. I surrender to You, trusting You to transform me as I abide in Your rest and abundance. Amen.
A Final Thought
The Christian life is not meant to be stagnant or incomplete. Just as Israel was called to leave the wilderness for the Promised Land, so are we called to press on into the fullness of life in Christ. This coming year, let’s embrace the call to grow, to mature, and to go on to all that God has prepared for us in His grace.
Let us move forward together, knowing that there’s more—and it’s found in Christ alone.