The Element of Expectancy in the New Life
It is essential for apprentices of Jesus Christ to believe and expect Him to do exactly what He has promised in his Word. While this may not be a novel concept for Christians, it may be a new relational experience- believing and expecting God to fulfill His Word.
The Bible addresses the expectancy element in belief: “It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6. Paul writes, “Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it.” Eph.2:7.
This is huge in the New Life that God creates in us by the Spirit. God fulfills His word; He does exactly what He has promised. God confirmed this in his own words: “The LORD said to me, ‘You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.’” Jeremiah 1:12.
Since salvation and the New Life is totally God’s work, then we must rely upon Him and expect Him to accomplish this in our lives. Please read today’s primary passage thoughtfully throughout today.
Expecting God to do what He has promised is absolutely essential because of the ubiquity of sin’s controlling power in our world. Paul told the Ephesians, “You let the world, which doesn’t know the first thing about living, tell you how to live. You filled your lungs with polluted unbelief, and then exhaled disobedience.” Eph.2:1-2 [The Message Bible]. We are doomed without the New Life the Savior has provided and promised to us.
Sin’s infectious power over our lives is broken as we embrace and live in Jesus Christ. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Eph.2:8-10.
I don’t know about you, but I am thankful for His salvation and I’m expecting Him to lead and empower me from this day forward.