“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” ( 1 Corinthians 9:24).

This week, we will be looking at some things that aid in spiritual growth.

The singular trait that will help you grow and mature in your faith is consistency.

Many of us have been on diets, exercise programs, reading programs. Many of us have learned how to play an instrument. What makes the difference in any of these in terms of the outcome?

Consistency.

Most plans – exercise, diets, reading plans, perfecting an instrument – are good plans. The problem is not the plan.

Plans work when you work the plan. That’s the key. Plans work only work if you work the plan. Not once. Not for a day. Not for a week. But for life!

The most important phrase in today’s verse of the day is “in such a way.” Don’t just run. Don’t just go through life. Don’t just do church. Run “in such a way” as to win the prize.

How do you run “in such a way”? Get a plan. Stick to it. Every day. For the rest of your life.

What will make the biggest difference in your spiritual journey? Get a plan and stick to it.

Consistency. The first key to spiritual growth and maturity.

“Then Peter began to speak: ‘I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears the Lord.’” (Acts 10:34-35)

The context of this passage is this: the apostles are realizing for the first time that God intends to extend his grace and love to all nationalities, and not just to ethnic Jews.

This was a total surprise to them. Up to this point, Jews didn’t even eat with or enter the house of gentiles. Gentiles, as far as the Jews were concerned, were disgusting, ceremonially unclean. Gentiles were best unseen and unheard and absolutely to be avoided.

But Peter has a vision where God tells him to eat – all kinds of unclean foods. And then God tells him to hang out with a gentile – go to the gentiles house – and to extend forgiveness of sin to the gentile. And when he does, the Holy Spirit falls upon the gentile and his entire household just as the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples at Pentecost.

This was a total surprise.

God does not show favoritism. Wow! Who knew.

But the truth of the text does not stay with the phrase that God doesn’t show favoritism. You see, God extends his offer of salvation to ALL people, ALL sinners, ALL. In the offer of forgiveness of sins God truly does not show favoritism.

And the offer of salvation and forgiveness of sins is effective and impacts those who fear the Lord. Those who obey. Those who have the utmost regard for God and his word.

Do you see that?

It’s both. The offer of salvation and forgiveness is for all people. God does not show favoritism. ALL sinners are given the opportunity to repent and turn to God.

AND God’s forgiveness is effective upon those who fear God. Not everyone is saved. Only those who fear God and trust in God’s plan for salvation in Jesus Christ.

That’s why we share the gospel with all people. Because salvation is available to all. But only those who receive and repent are forgiven of their sins.

Why would anyone reject such amazing grace?