Things That Will Get Better & Better for Faithful Christians

(2 Cor 7:5 NKJV) For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.

Often get things out of focus

a. Dwell on darkness until we see no light.b. Dwell on limitations until we see no potential.c. Dwell on obstacles until we see no opportunities.d. Dwell on weaknesses until we see no strengths.e. Dwell on failures until we see no successes.f. Dwell on statistics until we see no spiritual growth.g. Dwell on conflicts until we see no peace.

Remember that things are already better

a. We were not a people, now the people of God. (1 Pet. 2:9-10)

Remember that things are already better

(1 Pet 2:9-10 NKJV) But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; {10} who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

Remember that things are already better

b. Were without mercy, now have mercy. (1 Peter 2.10 which we just read)

Remember that things are already better

c. Were sold under sin, now redeemed. (1 Pet. 1:18,19).

Remember that things are already better

(1 Pet 1:18-19 NKJV) knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, {19} but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Remember that things are already better

d. Were polluted with sin, now purified. (1 Pet. 1:22)

Remember that things are already better

(1 Pet 1:22 NKJV) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

Remember that things are already better

e. Were dead in sin, now born again. (1 Pet. 1:23-25).

Remember that things are already better

(1 Pet 1:23-25 NKJV) having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, {24} because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, {25} But the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.

Faithful Christians can be confident that things will get better and better.

1. As faith increases we will see improvement “within.”

2. As we work with God’s providence we will see improvement “without.”

Things that will get better and better

1. Our ability to discern between good and evil…

Things that will get better and better

(Heb 5:12-14 NKJV) For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. {13} For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. {14} But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

Things that will get better and better

This is the ability to tell what is right and wrong.

1. It is based on the “word of righteousness”2. It takes time and effort to develop3. It improves with study, time and practice

How often are we frustrated by misjudging things?

Things that will get better and better

2. Our ability to resist temptation and withstand trials

Things that will get better and better

(James 1:2-3 NKJV) My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, {3} knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

(James 1:12 NKJV) Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Things that will get better and better

As we weather one storm, the next becomes easier

Things that will get better and better

Our faith is strengthened each time it is tested

(1 Pet 1:7 NKJV) that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

Things that will get better and better

We come to realize by experience the truth of …

(1 Cor 10:13 NKJV) No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Things that will get better and better

We come to realize what true “deliverance” is…

(2 Pet 2:9 NKJV) then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment

(Heb 11:35 NKJV) Women received their dead raised to life again. And others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

Things that will get better and better

3. Our ability to forgive…

Things that will get better and better

(Luke 17:3-4 NKJV) "Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. {4} "And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

Things that will get better and better

1. Most of us want to forgive, but find it hard at times.

2. No wonder the apostles said “increase our faith” in the next verse!

Things that will get better and better

4. Our ability to defend the faith…

(Acts 9:22 NKJV) But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

Things that will get better and better

1. Many become discouraged because cannot refute error as well as others…

2. Need to understand that this too is a growing process.

Things that will get better and better

5. Our ability to cope with declining physical strength…

(2 Cor 4:16-18 NKJV) Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. {17} For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, {18} while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Things that will get better and better

(2 Cor 5:1-8 NKJV) For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. {2} For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation which is from heaven, {3} if indeed, having been clothed, we shall not be found naked. {4} For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.

Things that will get better and better

{5} Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. {6} So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. {7} For we walk by faith, not by sight. {8} We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Things that will get better and better

1. Age, disease, persecution and other stresses take a toll on our bodies

2. By daily spiritual renewing we put things into better perspective

Things that will get better and better

6. Our ability to deal with our own mortality…

(Phil 1:21-26 NKJV) For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. {22} But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. {23} For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. {24} Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. {25} And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith, {26} that your rejoicing for me may be more abundant in Jesus Christ by my coming to you again.

Conclusion

1. We will always have problems, but if we continue to faithfully serve the Lord, things will continue to get better and better for us.

2. And eventually we will reach that “better country” for which we wait.