Any joint pilgrimage (journey) embarked on by people sharing a deepening love for one another is anything but dull. Terms that could rather spring to mind are words like adventurous delightful – invigorating.
Receiving heaven’s grace that launches a Christ-follower into the invigorating adventure that he refers to as life “in the kingdom,” simply calls for some agreed-upon directions.
“Whither Thou Goest” is a lyric my brother sang at my wedding. The years that followed saw Ann, my bride, trekking with me to Texas, to New York, then Africa and elsewhere. Our wedding vows had real meaning to both Ann and me.
“Now growth in grace, in God acting in our life, is something we must plan for by regular engagement in activities that enable us to receive God’s grace in all areas (of our lives).”
The statement offered by Professor Willard* helps bring clarity for the Christian convert.
A lifelong journey into deepening companionship is just what a disciple longs for. Nothing less brings contentment. Far different from a case of a dreamy-eyed bride taking her place alongside her imperfect, broken, and largely dysfunctional groom. This is a forever-journey with our allwise God (bridegroom of heaven) leading the way.
The Jesus-follower carries an increasing conviction (spurred on with increasing affection). That, nothing must be allowed to compete with the single-hearted aim – journeying in the close company of Christ himself – up, and into, all of eternity.
“Our intention,” Willard continued, “as apprentices of Jesus is to become the kind of person who lives in the character and power of Christ. We must, then, do those things that will enable us to become that kind of person, from the inside out – through appropriate actions and practices. Such actions and practices are “disciplines for the spiritual life.” Could it be, that coming into God’s salvation means something far more (and even far richer) than simply getting one’s sins forgiven in order to escape the bad place and get into the good place?
While the good news (gospel) which Jesus brings certainly includes securing forgiveness of sins (how wonderful!), the Gospel which he himself repeatedly preached is not actually defined by the word “forgiveness”. Christ came bringing a new kind of life, a radically transformative kind of life into all the aspects of the believers being. What could be clearer on the matter than the message Jesus conveyed, through both his activities and his words, “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”* *Dallas Willard – dwillard.org *John 10:10 (ESV) – “to the full” (NIV), “far more life than before” (J.B. Phillips) -©2025 Jerry Lout Writer/Speaker Jerry Lout grew up in Okmulgee County. Jerry’s “Living with a Limp” and “Giants in the Rough” are available through Amazon. Current projects include “Inside-Out” and “Thresholds” – a string of narratives highlighting surprises, sorrows and adventure in the post-Africa years. Jerry welcomes reader comments at jerrylout@ gmail.com and 918-857-4373.
