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Topic: First Day of School (06/28/04)
TITLE: The First Day At The School Of Sanctification By Doug Laird 07/02/04 |
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The first day of school can be the cause of great anxiety for both children and adult students.
At one time, a child’s first day at school was probably the first time that there was a long-time separation from Mom. For those of us over fifty, most of us do not have much of a conscious memory of many of the events that occurred in our lives prior to the age that we entered school on a full-time basis. Never the less, at least at one time, these pre-school years were considered to be critical in the development of the child in which Mom played a major role.
Satan has been quite successful in his attempt to destroy the traditional home with its members all having separate but equally important roles and responsibilities. Our generation is learning the hard way that what many thought to be the means of success is draining us of the health, wealth, time & energy necessary to focus on the very reason for which we were created. (Mat.13: 22).
As important as a good secular education can be in our time here on Earth, it has nothing to do with our spiritual edification. Parents would do well if they were as concerned for the edification of their children’s souls as they are with the education of their minds.
The spiritual edification of the soul is secured in the School of Sanctification.
The first day of this school begins the day of our salvation & concludes at the “graduation commencement” at the judgment seat of Christ when our report cards are read and rewards (if any) are given. (1 Cor. 3:12-15).
The School Of Sanctification is under the directorship of God the Holy Spirit. (John 14:26).
The School of Sanctification requires daily attendance if we are to receive a good attendance recognition in the “Scroll of Remembrance”. (Malachi 3:16).
The Bible is the ONLY textbook. (Prov.30: 6).
It has pastor-teachers (Eph.4: 11) for the presentation of the main material, but Biblically “qualified” (2Tim.2: 2) ones are getting harder to find. (Amos 8:11-12).
There is HOMEwork every day. It is when we are at home and all of our public masks are removed that our true characters are revealed.
Tests & unannounced quizzes are given in the everyday events of life.
Tuition does (should) not cost money, but spiritual maturity will cost you time and invites persecution as you pass each grade & advance in the post-salvation spiritual life (2Tim.3:12).
Without a daily supply of physical food & physical exercise our natural bodies will become weak & unproductive.
Without nourishing our souls every day with Bible Doctrine & spiritual exercise (application) our spiritual life will be weak & unproductive.
There are two forces of influence (evil/divine) within us that compete for the control of our minds. The one we “feed” & “exercise” will be the one that dominates.
Waiting for a crisis to hit us from the blind side is NOT the time to seek a “crash course” for a quick resolution of our problems. The School of Sanctification offers no such course(s). This is why some Christians go to pieces when adversity hits while others experience the “peace that transcends all understanding” (Phil.4: 7 NIV).
No one can think correctly under extreme stress or emotions. We will automatically do as we have been trained to do. If we lack the doctrinal viewpoint that can ONLY be obtained through the daily intake and application of Bible Doctrine, we will REACT emotionally instead of REPSOND doctrinally when adversity strikes. Since our emotions can be greatly influenced by our fallen natures, the end result is usually disaster (Matt.7: 24-27).
Some agree in principle, but “just don’t have the time” to make a consistent commitment to studying the Word of GOD. The truth is, we are all given the exact amount of time to the second every day. It’s a matter of our priorities as to how our time is spent.
The school bell rings every day for all of us. Each day can be as challenging as the first day of school if we are advancing in the post-salvation spiritual life.
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All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (R) Copyright (C) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All Rights reserved.