1 Timothy 4:15 English Standard Version (ESV) Practice these things, immerse yourself in them,[be in them] so that all may see your progress.
Progress is not the same thing as being progressive. They sound alike but at the core of the progressive is a need to be different. We are to conform to Christ. Think of progress as a great work by John Bunyan (1628– 1688) The Pilgrim’s Progress. That is an extensive work that heralds sixteen milestones of Christian life. Is it a paradox, and allegory or a religious vision?
Every good work presented by our predecessors is meant to encourage us to live a life moving towards one common goal, eternal life. Since that life begins at new birth and like all newborns we explore and discover this new life. Our progress tells us if we are on the right path or not.
Psalm 25:4-5 English Standard Version
4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5 Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.
Many of us have reached an age when our new birth are a far distant memory. For those of us that find ourselves in the infancy of this new life, is this prayer part of our experience? Do not feel guilty if it is not. We all begin with the milk of the Word, easy to digest and good for growth.
The words “make me” indicates a transition from being in charge to allowing God to take charge of our progress. We are often told as children we have to do this, this is right, don’t do that. Everything sounds legalistic and some of it is legal in form.
It takes progress to get from doing what is right because we are told, to doing right because that is who we are. He is the author and finisher of our faith even before we know what faith is and how it works.