Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #16 — Actively seek God

Picture: Counsel #16 — Actively seek God CSL 26.1

Transforming into God’s image - His identity, requires active pursuit, not passive hope. Left unchecked, Satan will fill the void, conforming us to the world.^[30] Without sustained effort, merely desiring to know God becomes a hollow longing, easily overshadowed by the distractions and pressures of daily life. We must proactively seek God’s presence and the Holy Spirit’s power. CSL 26.2

This means intentionally placing ourselves where God has promised to be!^[31] Join in communal times of prayer, seek out opportunities to be the hands and feet of Jesus to those who have least, and consistently reach out to Him through personal prayer. Merely "hoping and desiring" to know God without effort is dangerous; it leads to spiritual stagnation and leaves us vulnerable. True transformation comes from actively engaging with God, growing an intimate relationship that shapes us into His likeness through His Spirit.^[32] CSL 26.3

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7:7 NKJV CSL 26.4

“Desires for goodness and holiness are right as far as they go; but if you stop here, they will avail nothing. Many will be lost while hoping and desiring to be Christians. They do not come to the point of yielding the will to God. They do not now choose to be Christians.” Ellen White in Steps to Christ, p.47 CSL 26.5

Reflect: Beyond just attending, how can you shift your mindset or actions to more fully engage in worship activities, making them truly transformative encounters with God’s presence? CSL 26.6