We Christians often give more time and energy to thinking about our summer vacations than our spiritual formation. Because our salvation is rooted in Christ’s righteousness, not our own, we tend to minimize the many scriptures that call for us to seek righteousness.
Deepening our faith isn’t about gaining heaven but about blessing the lives of the people around us.
Author Gary Thomas is with us on our Focus on the Family Broadcast “Discovering Freedom in Your Faith” to describe the joy that we can find in practicing biblical virtues. His book, The Glorious Pursuit: Becoming Who God Created Us to Be, covers 14 virtues evidenced in the life of Jesus while He walked on earth. In our conversation, he does a deep dive on three:
- Humility. Radical dependence on God. Acknowledging that the root, fruit, and maintenance of your Christian walk is dependent on God’s strength and grace.
- Surrender. Seeking to do God’s will whether you receive earthly blessing or not. It’s in surrender that we experience “a peace that surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:6).
- Detachment. Freedom from cravings other than God. It’s acknowledging that your deepest needs – inner peace, meaning, freedom, and fulfillment – are found in God alone.
Gary says, “Our families pay the greatest cost for our anger, our pride, our selfishness, and our impatience. But when we pursue sanctification, they receive the greatest benefits.”
Tune in for our conversation on your local radio station, online, on Apple Podcasts, via Google Podcasts, or take us with you on our free phone app.
Gary’s an international speaker and the bestselling author of more than 20 books. The Glorious Pursuit: Becoming Who God Created Us to Be is available for a gift of any amount. Visit our website or give us a call at 1-800-A-FAMILY (232-6459).
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