Tuesday, 15 November 2016

The Victorious Christian Life (2)

Image result for the victorious christian lifeLiving the Victorious Christian life is the aspiration of every true Christian believer. For many Christians see it as the optimum reward and payback for the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross of Calvary. As Christian converts, we all know that this life is possible if only we put our trust and confidence in God’s word- which cannot fail!

For the Bible in the book of 1 Pet 4:1‑2 states: “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.” "Ceased from sin", how great that sounds to the committed Christian! "No longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but doing the will of God".  This is the kind of Victorious Christian life that every Christian should desire and determine to obtain. 

Sadly, Many Christians live a life of "quite desperation" as they are daily defeated by the world, the flesh, and the devil. May God help us to understand how we can have the mind of Christ so we can cease from sin and live our lives in the will of God.
One of the best scripture passages to help us learn how to live a Victorious Christian Life is- Eph 4:22‑24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 
           
Three Great Principles for Victorious Christian Living are given in these verses:

1) Kill the Canaanites- "Put off concerning the former way of life the old man" When the Children of Israel entered the Promised Land they were told to "Kill the Canaanites"; every man, woman, and child was to be slain. That is the way it must be in our Christian life- Show no mercy to sin. Destroy it in any form it comes at you- in manly strength, in womanly lust, or in childlike desire. (Jesus called this "Denying yourself and taking up your cross daily".
This does not mean you become a "monk" in a secluded world. Learn to live in the world but do not allow the world to live in you! The boat is supposed to be in the water but the water is dangerous when it gets in the boat. 

2) Change your Habits- "be renewed in the spirit of your mind".  Control your tongue, change your friends, alter your patterns, and tame your thoughts.
Escape from the "box" Satan has built around you- People drink alcohol in order to escape the pressures of life or in order to enjoy the pleasures of life. When pressures or desires come you must learn to let God show you how to find rest and enjoyment in a living relationship with Him. 

3) Celebrate Christianity- "Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" Find your part in the work of the Lord and produce fruit for God. Remove the Briars and rocks. Plant a crop. Guard against surprise attacks. Determine to live the Abundant Christian life; one in which you find more joy in God than you do in serving evil- The prodigal son thought the "good" life was money, partying, and friends but he woke up in a hog pen to find life was a lot better at the Father’s house.

Enjoy the good things of God and live a victorious Christian life but remember how serious sin real is--Eccl 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.

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