Taking It to the Next Level... and the One After That

“We must set our faces like flint against everything that is contrary to God and His holiness: When purity in our souls is a settled matter, we can go on to peaceableness.” – C.H. Spurgeon

Call me “old school,” but I do not play video games, nor do I understand the fascination with them. To me, it’s a lot more fun playing an actual baseball or football game than one on a tablet or computer screen. However, from watching my grandkids play them I know that if you do well at the beginner’s stage, you graduate to higher and higher levels, each one of which is progressively more difficult.

That is the point that Charles Spurgeon is making in today’s quote. If we continue to entertain the things of this world that are contrary to God, His word, and His character, we will never proceed to the next level. For instance, God is infinitely holy and therefore, we should pursue holiness is everything we do. That means not allowing unholy thoughts to permeate our minds or dominate our actions.

Once we have settled on holiness as a goal and have made some major strides towards attaining it – despite the fact that we will never fully obtain holiness this side of glory – we will experience a sense of peace. In other words, this world and its endless temptations will become less and less of a distraction as we focus more and more on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). Simply put, not being constantly pulled in two different directions gives us peace.

There are other places in scripture that talk about being elevated to the next level of conduct and here are three…

“Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 (BSB)

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 (BSB)

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (BSB)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President