Journey Deeper
Spiritual Depth Takes Us to a Place We're Not Expecting
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Biblical instructions are like diving instructions. They aren't always fun, and they don't always center on the adventure. Instead, they are taught for those moments when you most need faith. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:4-8, NASU)
Peter was telling the church to pursue spiritual transformation and become partakers of the divine nature. He’s talking about character needed for the maturing faith willing to move towards the image of Christ. How? Peter says it’s by, applying all diligence. We will not stumble into the image of Christ, nor accidently fall into it. We must apply all diligence as God transforms our nature and frees us through His divine grace. He calls every believer to accept the goal of being conformed to the image of Christ.
Peter's own life reflected many of the pitfalls and lessons we will experience in our spiritual journeys. Peter had highs and lows, but his journey ultimately prepared him for the life God had called him to live. God has designed each of us with exactly what we need to live a deep and extraordinary faith. Yet, so many of us are disappointed with the relationship we have with God or are willing to be content believing this is all there is to a life in Christ. How did we get to that point? Somewhere along the way we decided to remain in control of our lives and what we discover is that lives we control are incapable of experiencing the power of God's will.
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About the Book
As a scuba diver and pastor, author Scott Reynolds had heard the same phrase on dives and in church: “I want to go deeper.” Divers always want to push the limits to go a litter deeper, wanting to explore different reefs and wrecks found in the deeper waters. Followers of Christ use the same language and find themselves constantly saying, “I want to go deeper.”
In Journey Deeper, Reynolds offers a scriptural answer to the burning question for many seeking more from their relationship with Jesus Christ: how can I go deeper in my faith? It’s a great question, with a very different answer than the one Christians have held on to for generations. Spiritual depth is not found in the academic information we use to understand theological and religious concepts. Spiritual depth is found in character transformation. Every follower of Christ is called daily to be moving into the image of Christ. The Journey Deeper will help you truly understand what spiritual depth looks like.
About the Author
Scott Reynolds, DMin, serves as the senior pastor of North River Church. He is a sought-after consultant for church plants and has been recognized for his leadership in the area of new church works. Scott and his wife, Lori, live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and have two children, Ariel and Dean.