christian living(1)

8/3/2019 Christian Living(1)

1/26

www.amazingdiscoveries.org 2010

1

Christian Living

ConsiderthecrucialpointsoftheChristianlifewithauthorWendyGoubej.

Why Should I Study the Bible?TheBiblehasbeenstudiedforcenturiesbypeoplesearchingforGod.Ithas

changedmanylivesforthebetterandhascomfortedmanysorrowfulpeople.

Granted,theBiblescontentshavealsobeenusedasaweaponagainstothersand

havebeenmisquotedtojustifyanynumberofevils.Justaswithanyotherbook,itiseasytotakeswordsfromtheBibleoutofcontextandusethemforonesownends.

TherehavebeenmanyinhistorywhohavemanipulatedotherswiththeBible.ButjustbecausesomehaveuseditnefariouslydoesnotmeanthattheBibleshouldbe

discarded.

ItisbelievedthattheBiblecontainsthewaytoeternallife.TheBibleclaimsitselfto

beinspiredbyGod.Andifthisisso,thentherearemanyreasonsnottodiscardits

words,buttofindcomfortandguidancewithinthisholyBook.

HerearesomeofthereasonstheBiblegivesforwhyweshouldstudyitspages:

To give us hope

Romans15:4tellsusthatthethingswrittenintheBiblewerewrittenforour

learning,sothatwemighthavehope.Thereareagreatmanycomfortingversesin

theBiblethatspeakofGodsloveforhumanity,andHispromisetohelpusinour

hourofneed.

Whileonearth,JesusinvitedalltocomeandlaytheirburdensatHisfeet.This

invitationextendstoallhumanitythroughoutallofhistory.TheBibleisabookthat

canbringgreatpeaceandcomforttoitsreaders.Thereareover3000promisesin

theBibleassurancesfromalovingheavenlyFatherofHiscareandconcern.

AcceptingthembyfaithbringsapeaceandanassuranceofHisloveandpowerin

ourlives.

To teach us the plan of salvation

Whatisthepurposeoflife?WhereamIgoingwhenIdie?

TheBibleprovidesanswerstothesequestionsandmanymore.Mostimportantly,

however,theBibleclearlyoutlinestheplanofsalvation:howwecanbecome

reconcileduntoGodandsomedayliveintheearthmadenew.

Thehopeofahappyeternallifeinheavenisahopesharedbymanyreligions.The

Biblegivesustheplantogetusthere.Inaddition,theBiblehelpsusunderstand


2/26


2

howwegothereandwhyweneedaplantosaveus.

Thiscanbeverycriticalinformation,forunlesswerealizethatweneedsaving,wewontlookforaSaviour.

To reveal Jesus as SaviourWhenonEarth,JesusspokeoftheScripturesastestifyingofHimself.Totestify

meanstoaffirmordeclare(oftenunderoath)whatonehaswitnessedorlearned

throughfirsthandknowledgeorexperience.

SincetheBiblehasbeenwrittenby40authorsoveraperiodof1500years,weshouldseetheScripturesasagroupofwriterstestifyingoftheaccuracyoftheir

experiences.TheScripturereferredtobyChrististheOldTestament.Thatwasthe

onlyScripturetherewasduringHislifetime,andyetChristdeclaredthattheOldTestamenttestifiedofHimself.

ThosewhoteachthattheOldTestamentScripturesarenotapplicabletousdonot

understandwhatJesusissaying.IfwewanttofindmoreaboutJesus,weshouldnotrestrictourselvesonlytotheGospelsorPaul'sbooks.TheentireBiblewillreveal

thebeautyofGod'scharacterandJesusChristasthesolutionforhumanitysproblemswithsinonthisearth.


3/26


3

How God Saves Us

We all need a Saviour

Allpeopleneedtocometotherealizationthatweneedsaving.Ifwearesinnersin

needofsaving,thenweneedaSaviour.Wheredidsincomefrom?

Ofourselves,wecouldneverliveuptothesupremestandardneededtogain

entranceintoheaven.Becauseitwasnotourfaultthatwewerebornsinners,God

didnotleaveustoruin,butdevisedaspecialplanwherewecouldallbesaved.

Manypeoplefighttheideathatweareallsinners.Romans6:23statesthatthe

wagesofsinisdeath.Justfromthesimplefactthatweallendupdying,wecan

determinethatindeedweareallsinnersinneedofaSaviour.

WhenwelookatthelawofGodtheprinciplesofrightlivingasoutlinedinthe

Biblewecanseethatwecertainlyhavebrokenthelaw.Allofushave,atsometimeoranother,liedorstolensomethingthatwasntourstotake,orwishedwe

couldhavesomethingthatwedidnt.Manyofushavekilledbothliterallyandwith

ourwords.

Nooneisexemptfrombreakingthelaw.Thewordlawcansometimesgetpeople

angry,butthelawisjustastandardofbehaviorandattitudesthat,iffollowed,

wouldmakeEarthaheaventoliveon.

Butallofusknowthatthisplanetisfarfromaheaven.Somanycommitsuicide

becausetheyjustcantbeartheworldanditsproblemsanymore.Death,however

gruesome,isstill,intheirminds,aneasierandbettersolutionthanfacingthe

problemsintheirlives.

IfmorepeopleturnedtheirlivesovertothecontrolofGod,andfollowedHisprinciples,therewouldbemuchlesspainandsorrow.However,thatisnotthecase.

Weareindeedadyinghumanracethatdesperatelyneedsasolutionandapurpose.

In Christ

TheprincipleofsinleadingtodeathissofirmlyentrenchedintheBibleandGods

KingdomthatGodHimselfcouldnotchangeitforusafterAdamandEvesinned.If

Godcouldoverlookthesinprobleminus,howcouldHeexpectorderandharmony

inheaven?So,Hedevisedarescuemission,whichislaidoutintheBible.

Paul,oneoftheapostlesofJesus,spenthiswholelifecommunicatingthisrescue

mission,knownastheGospelorgoodnews,tothepeopleinEuropeandtheMiddle

East.

InPaulswritings,wefindakeyphrasethatturnsupthroughoutallhisletters.That

phraseisinChristorinChristJesus.SimilarphrasessuchasinHim,together

withHim,intheBeloved,inWhomallexpressthesameidea.Ifwedonot


4/26


4

understandwhattheBiblemeansbythisexpression,wewillneverbeabletofully

understandthegoodnewsoftheGospel.

PaulslettertotheEphesianstellsusthatGoddevisedthisplanforusbeforeHe

evenmadetheworld.ThiswasHiscontingencyplan.Becausedeathspreadtoall

humankind,sincewearealloffspringofAdam,GodhadtodeviseaplanwherewecouldallbesavedinChrist.

TheFathertookthehumanraceandcorporatelyunitedittoHisSon.ButfirstChrist

hadtoqualifytobeourrepresentativeandSaviourbyconsentingtobemade

human.

GodtheFatherunitedthelifeofHisSontoourhumanityinthewombofMary.That

iswhyJesusiscalledthesecondorlastAdam.Onlybyconsentingtobemade

humancouldJesustrulyrepresentus.AndwhenHedied,Hisdeedsofrighteousness

becameourdeedsofrighteousness,andasaresultwearelegallyredeemed.

TheBibletellsusthatallwhoareinChristwilllive.Justasalldiebecauseallhave

sinnedinAdam,soalsoallhaveobeyedinChristandstandjustifiedtolifeinHim.ByHisperfectlifeandsacrificialdeath,Hesatisfiedallthedemandsofthelaw

onourbehalf.InChrist,humanityhasanewhistorythatqualifieseverybelieverfor

heaven.

The Gift of Righteousness

Manypeoplebelievesalvationisjusttheforgivenessofsin.Itsasthoughoursins

arewrittenonablackboardandthat,whenJesusdied,Hewaslikeaneraserthat

erasesallofoursins.ButthisisnotwhattheBibleteaches!

Yes,oursinsarewrittenonablackboardandJesusislikeaneraser,butthatisnot

thewholestory.Ourslatedoesnotremainempty!AllofthegoodandholyandrighteousdeedsthatChristeverdidarenowtransferredtousandarenowwritten

onourblackboard.ThisistheincrediblegoodnewsoftheGospel.

Theimportantthingtoremember,however,isthatwhatGodhasbroughttothewholehumanracebyChristsobedienceisafreegiftanditcannotbeoursunlesswe

acceptit.

Accepting the Gift

ThemomentwebelievethatGodhasdonethisforus,andacceptitforus,we

becomeincludedinChristandhavealltheprivilegesthatcomeswithbeinginChrist.

ThemomentyouacceptChristasyourSaviourandyoutrustonlyinHimforyour

salvation,GodlooksatyouasacceptedintheBeloved.Itsasthoughoncewere

born,wereceivedaspecialbirthdaypresentfromGod.ItsuptouswhenwewillopenthatgiftandreceivewhatHehasgivenus.Wehavetwooptionswiththisfree

giftfromGod:acceptitorrejectit.


5/26


5

TheBibleassuresusthatGodwillmakeusholy,unblameable,andunreproveableif

wechoosetobelieveinJesusChristastheSonofGod.Thoughwemaybesinners,in

Godseyeswearenowconsideredprefect,blameless,andwithoutfault.Thisgives

uspeacewithGodandallowsustostopworryingaboutoursalvation.

IfwebelieveinJesus,webecomesonsanddaughtersofGod.Aswecontinuetomoveforwardinthisbelief,Godwillchangeusintopeoplefitforheaven.

GodlooksoneveryonewhobelievesinJesusChristasHischild.IfyoubelieveinHis

name,youhavealreadyreceivedeternallifeeventhoughyoumaynotfeelitorthink

youdeserveit.WhenPresidentLincolnissuedtheEmancipationProclamation,it

legallyfreedallslaves.Yettenyearslater,therewerestillsomeslavesworkingonplantations.Why?Becausetheydidnotbelievethegoodnews,sotothem,they

werenotfreed.

What will you Decide?

WhenJesusdiedonthecross,HegaveusallnewlifethroughHim.However,ifyoudonotbelievethis,itwillnotbetrueforyouaswell.

Godhasgivenallofusachoice.WecaneitherdecidetobeinAdamorinChrist.Thereisnomiddleground.ItwasnotourfaultthatwewereborninAdam,butit

isourfaultifwedecidenottobeinChrist.

Manypeoplethinktheymustwaituntiltheyhaverepentedfromtheirsinstocome

toGod.Thisisnottrueatall.ReadwhattheBiblesaysaboutrepentanceand

conversion

Thereisnothingweourselvescandotomeritsalvation.Thiscomestousonlyasa

giftfromGod.GodpaidtoohighapriceforustoignoreHisincrediblesacrificefor

us.FindouthowtoacceptChristssacrificeforyoupersonally.

IfyouvealreadyacceptedChristssacrificeforyou,readATrueChristianSpiritual

LifetofindoutwhatitmeanstoliveaChristianlifealifesavedbyChrist.Isitany

differentfromanyotherlife?HowdoesGodactuallymakeusfitforheaven?


6/26


6

God's Supreme Sacrifice for You

The Cross

ThePhoeniciansinventedthecrossasanexecutiontoolapproximately600years

beforeChrist.ItwasthenadoptedbytheEgyptians,andlatertheRomansrefineditandusedittoexecuterunawayslavesandtheirworstcriminals.

Crucifixionwasthemostpainfulandshamefulinstrumentofexecutionever

practiced.ThebookWatchWithMegivesadetaileddescriptionofRomanexecution.Ittakesbetweenthreeandsevendaystodieonthecross.

Gangreneisformedinyourhandsandfeetwhererustynailshavepierced.Youhave

splittingmigraineheadaches.Everyjointofyourbodyfeelstornapartandthepain

isexcruciating.Youhavecrampseverywhere.Airisforcedoutofyourlungssothat

youaresuffocating.Inthenightyouareexposedtothecoldandinthedaytimeyou

areexposedtotheheat.

ButwhatisitthatmakesChristsdeaththesupremesacrificeaboveallother

deaths?Manymartyrshavesufferedhorribledeaths,someinwaysthatseemmore

agonizingthanJesusdeathonthecross.

The Curse

ItwasthechiefpriestsandofficerswhocriedoutcrucifyHim(John19:5-7)when

PilatepresentedChristtothem.Pilate,anofficialofRome,foundnofaultinJesus,sotheJewshadtogiveareasonwhytheyweredemandingJesuscrucifixion.Theysaid

thattheyhadalawthatcondemnedChristtodeath.Thelawtheywerereferringto

wasthelawofblasphemy.

Accordingtothelawofblasphemy,Jesuswastohavebeenstoned,notcrucified.In

John10:30-33weseetheJewstryingtostoneJesusafterHesaid,TheFatherandI

areone.Thisprovestheywereawarethatstoningwasthemethodofdeathfor

blasphemy.

TheJewsdemandedChristbecrucifiedbecausetheywantedhimtobecursedofGod.InDeuteronomy21:22-23welearnthatifamancommittedasindeservingof

deathandhungonatreeasameansofexecution,hewasaccursedofGod(seealsoActs5:30;10:39;13:29).

WhentheJewscriedoutcrucifyHimtheywerenotonlydemandingthatChristbe

puttodeath,buttheyweredemandingthatGodscursebeuponHim.ToaJew,whenoneishungonatree,theycouldnotofferaprayerofforgivenessforallthe

sintheyhadcommittedbecausetheywereforeverseparatedfromGod.Theywere

accursed.ThisiswhattheywantedforChrist.


7/26


7

The Cost

Galatians3:13tellsusthatChristredeemedusbybecomingacurse.Christfeltthe

guiltofthewholeworld.AndHechosetodothisforus.Godcouldnotremovethe

cursefromChristbecauseHelovedusandthatwastheonlywayHecouldsaveus.

HesparednotHisownSon,butdeliveredHimupforusall(Romans8:32).Hedid

thisbecausetheSonHimselfhadwillinglychosenthispathbecauseofHisloveforus.

SomehaveaccusedGodtheFatherofbeingevilbecauseHeallowedHisownSontodie.Theyask,whatkindofaFatherwoulddothattoHisSon?Thesepeopleforget

thatGodistheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpiritThreeinOne.

WhattheSonwants,theFatherandHolySpiritwant,andwhattheFatherwants,the

SonandHolySpiritwant.Theythinkalike.Theyloveusalike.Itwasnoteasyforthe

FathertoseeHisSonsuffering.

TheFathersufferedwiththeSon,andbecausetheyareallGod,GodHimselfofferedHimselfasthesubstituteinourbehalf.So,itwasntreallyafar-awayFather

watchingandallowingHisSontosuffer.ItwasaverynearFathersufferingwithHis

Son,forbothweregivingofthemselvesforusbecausetheylovedus.

ItwasGodtheFatherHimselfwhoraisedJesusfromthedead(Acts5:30;1

Corinthians6:14;Galatians1:1).JesusdidnotraiseHimself.JesuswastotallydependentonHisFatherwhileinthisworld,andHewasnolessdependentonthe

FatherforHisresurrectionalso.ThiswasaremarkablecondescensiononthepartofJesus,whohadallpowerbeforeHecametoearth.ButHewillinglylaidasideHis

powertobedependentonHisFatherinallthings.

WhenJesuswasdyingonthecross,Heexclaimed,MyGod,MyGod,whyhasThou

forsakenMe?(Mark15:33-37).

TheplanwasthatJesuswoulddieforthehumanraceandthentheFatherwould

raiseHimup.ButJesusiscryingouttoHisFatherthatHefeelsabandoned.Hedoes

notfeelHisFatherspresenceanylonger.Thehopeoftheresurrectionwentwith

thatabandonment.HecouldnotsaveboththeworldandHimself.Hehadtochoose

betweentheworldandHimself,andHestillgoesthroughwithit!

DoyouknowwhatHeissayinginthisact?HeissayingthatHelovesusmorethan

HelovesHimselfthatHewaswillingtodieeternallywithoutthehopeof

resurrectionsothatwecouldlive;thatHewaswillingtobeeternallyseparatefromHisownFatherwhomHehadbeentogetherinfellowshipwithsincethebeginning

oftime;thatHewaswillingtosacrificeneverbeingabletoseeHisFathersface

againinorderthatwewouldbesaved.

ThisishowmuchHelovedus.ThisisthedepthofHissupremesacrificeforus.

InPsalm22,wereadtheremarkableaccountofacrucifixionandtheverywords


8/26


8

thatJesusutteredbeforeHedied.Thisaccountgivesusaclueintothedeep

emotionalpainthatwrackedHisheartwhileonthecross.

Inverse6,JesusdescribesHimselfasaworm.Jesus,andinotherwords,God,laid

downHislife(1John3:16)andwaswillingtobeblottedoutofexistencethatwe

mightliveinHisplace.ThisishowmuchthecrossdemonstratedGodsloveforussinners.Bythissupremesacrifice,JesuswastellingusthatHelovesusmorethan

Himself.

Our Choice

WhenwetrulyunderstandwhatJesushasdoneforus,itinspiresustoloveHim

(John4:19)andtowanttoliveforHim(2Corinthians5:14-15).Whenweseethe

lovethatChristhadinchoosingusoverHimself,itawakensloveinus.Thisisthe

rightmotivationforacceptingChrist.BecauseHehasshownushowmuchHeloves

us,wecanbegintoslowlystarttotrustHimwithourheartsandlives.

Whenloveisawakenedinus,thenlivingforHimandchoosingHiswaysbecomesnotachoreoraduty,butanactoflovinghonorandpraisetotheOnewhodidso

muchforus.Inthisway,obediencetoGodslawsandwaysisneveranactofgood

worksdonetosaveourselvesbutanoutpouringofourgratitudeandloveforGod

foreverythingHehasdoneforus.


9/26


9

Conversion and RepentanceWhenwerealizeoursinproblemandourhelplessnesstoriseaboveournatureson

ourown,thereisonlyonethinglefttodo.WeneedtogiveupandletGodtake

control!WhenGodbringsustothispoint,weconsideritthemiracleofconversion.

Butwhataboutrepentance?DontwehavetorepentfirsttocometoGod?Doesnt

repentancecomebeforeconversion?Inthisstudy,wewillexplorewhattheBibleteachesaboutconversionandrepentance.

Conversion

InJohn3:3,JesusChristsaysthat,unlesswearebornagain,wecannotseethe

KingdomofGod.Thisshowsusthattheconversionexperience(alsocalledthenew

birthexperience)isquiteimportantifweexpecttogotoheaven.

ThepowerforthenewbirthcomesfromGod,notus,andtheHolySpiritistheactive

agentinthenewbirthexperience.ConversionisasupernaturalworkoftheHolySpirit.ItismarkedbyachangeofattitudetowardsGod.Insteadofrunningaway

fromGod,theonewhoisbeingconvertedturnstowardGod.

Conversiondoesnotmeanthatwehavetohaveeverythingstraightrightawayorunderstandeverything.TheChristianlifeisapaththatleadstoheaven.Manywho

areatthebeginningoftheirChristianexperienceareakintobabiesorchildrenjustbeginningtheway,andlearningastheygoalong.Conversionisaboutnotfighting

withGod,butsubmittingtoGod.

Inorderforustounderstandspiritualthings,weneedtohaveourheartsandminds

renewedbytheHolySpirit.ConversioncreatesanewanddeepercapacityforknowingGod.

TheHolySpiritrenewsyourmindandtherebycreatesnewunderstandingsand

intereststhatwerenottherebefore.Youbegintoexperienceanewdesiretoknow

God.Thisnewattitudeleadstoachangedlife.InEzekiel,GodpromisestogiveusnewheartsandnewspiritsthatcanrespondwarmlytoGodandtoothers.

Conversioniscalledthenewbirth.Itsthebeginningofspirituallife.Justasyou

cannotchooseyourownbirthdayinthephysicallife,youcannotchooseyourownspiritualbirthday.Youcannotconvertyourself,orothersforthatmatter.Thatis

completelyuptoGod.YoucanshareChristwithothers,butitisuptotheHolySpirittochangetheattitudetowardGod.

GodpromisesthatHewillfinishtheworkHestartsinus(Philippians1:6).

Repentance

Somepeopleaskifrepentanceisnecessaryforsalvation.TheBiblesaysyes.The

onlytypeofpeoplewhofeeltheneedforrepentance,however,arepeoplewho


10/26


10

realizetheirsinfulstatethosewhoaresickofthemselves,sickofmessinguptheir

lives.Repentanceinvolvesagenuinesorrowforsinthatincludesaturningaway

fromthesin.

Thereisafalsesorrowforsinthatismoreofasorrowfortheconsequencesofthe

sin,likeathiefthatisnotsorrythathestole,butthathegotcaughtandisnowinjail.

Therearemanypeoplewhohaveafalsesorrowfortheirmisdeeds.Howmany

storiesdowereadofcold-bloodedpeoplewhohavedestroyedchildrenorfamilies

throughtheirheartlessacts,andwhoarenotrepentant?

GenuinerepentancecomesfromGod.Thisisapointonwhichmanyerr,andasa

resulttheylackthefaithtoreceivethehelpthatChristdesirestogivethem.They

thinkthattheycannotcometoChristunlesstheyfirstrepentandthatrepentance

preparesthemfortheforgivenessoftheirsins.

TheBibledoesnotteachthatwemustrepentbeforewecanheedtheinvitationof

Christ.WecannomorerepentwithouttheSpiritofChristtoawakentheconscience

thanwecanbepardonedwithoutChrist.

WecannotrepentofanythinguntilwecometoChrist.Repentanceissomethingwe

receive.ItisagiftfromGod.WecometoJesusandHegrantsusrepentanceandthen

forgivesoursin.WedonotcleanseourselvesinordertocometoChrist.Instead,we

cometoChristandthenHedoesthejobofcleansingus.

Romans2:4tellsusthatitisthegoodnessofGodthatleadsustorepentance.WecannotturnawayfromsininourownstrengthbutwecanseektheLordtodothose

thingsforus.Goddelightstohelpthosewhocannothelpthemselves.Thatisoneof

thepointsofdifferencebetweenJesusChristandthegodsofotherreligions.

ChristianityistheonlyreligioninwhichtheGodofferedHimself,died,androse

againinordertodeliverhumankindfromitsdesperatestate.Christianityisalsothe

onlyreligioninwhichGod,andGodalone,istheSaviour.Allotherreligions,

includingCatholicism,teachthatwehavetodosomethinginordertoearn

redemption.ThisiswhollyagainsttheBible.

OurpartisonlyalwaystocometoJesus.


11/26


11

A True Christian Spiritual LifeInMatthew5:20NIV,Jesussays,ForItellyouthatunlessyourrighteousness

surpassesthatofthePhariseesandtheteachersofthelaw,youwillcertainlynot

enterthekingdomofheaven.

ThePhariseesthoughtthemselvestobeveryrighteousness.Bytheirreligiousrites

andobservances,bytheirgivingtotheTempletreasury,andbytheirpiousworks,theyfeltthattheywerethemostsuitedforheaven.YetJesussaidthatweneededto

bemorerighteousthaneventhePharisees.

TothedisciplesinJesusday,thatstatementmusthaveseemedacomplete

impossibility.IfeventherighteousnessofthePhariseeswasnotgoodenough,who

couldeverbesaved?

WhattypeofrighteousnesswasJesustalkingabout?Canwereallyevenobeyonour

own?Whataboutourpersonalstruggleswithsin?Howcanweovercome?

Jesuswastheepitomeofrighteousnessonthisearth.Helivedaperfectlifeforyouandme.

IfwewanttodiscoverwhatJesusmeantwhenHesaidthatwemustbemore

righteousthanthePharisees,wemustfirststudyhowJesuslivedHislife.Whatwas

thesourceofHispower?

The Christian's Source of Power

Hebrews2:14-18tellsusthatJesuswasmadetobelikeoneofusineveryway.He

hadstrugglesandtemptations.Hegothungryandthirstyandtired.HehadtobecomelikeussothatHecouldqualifytobecomethesecondAdam,ourSaviour.

Hebecameanexampleforusineveryway.Jesuscanempathizewitheveryhuman

experienceandcircumstance.AndwecanneversaythatHehadanyspecial

advantage.

HowthendidJesusperformthemiraclesHedidandhowdidHeliveobedientlyineveryway?

Union with the Father

John5:19andJohn8:28tellusthatHedidnothingofHimself(oronHisown).John

10:30-33and6:57showusthesecretofChristspowerthatwemayalsohave.John10:30saysIandmyFatherareone,and6:57tellsus,hethateatethme,evenhe

shalllivebyme.

ThisisnotsomegrotesqueliteraleatingofJesus,butaspiritualeating.InJohn6:48,

JesuscallsHimselfthebreadoflife,inverse51,thelivingbread.Heisalso

knownastheWordofGodinJohn1:1.


12/26


12

TheWordofGod,then,istheBiblethatcontainsHisspokenwordswhileonEarth,

aswellasHolySpiritinspiredwordsthroughout1500yearsofJewishhistory(2

Timothy3:16-17).Thisisthebreaduponwhichwearetofeast.Withoutit,we

cannothavelife(John6:53).

TheSonwasincloseconnectionwithHisFatheranditwasthroughthiscloseunionthattheFatherwasabletoworkthroughJesus.Jesuswascompletelydependent

uponHisFatherinallthings.Themiracles,thehealingsandtheteachingswereall

throughtheFather.Jesusbecametotallyhuman,dependentupontheFatherforHis

strength.

ThisprincipleofunionwiththeFatherappliestousbecausewearetoconnectascloselywithJesusasChristdidwithHisFather.John15:1-8talksaboutJesusasthe

truevineandeachofusbeingabranchinChristbearingfruit.Jesustellsusthis:

AbideinmeandIinyou.Asthebranchcannotbearfruitofitself,exceptitabideinthe

vine;nomorecanye,exceptyeabideinme.Iamthevine,yearethebranches:Hethat

abidethinme,andIinhim,thesamebringethforthmuchfruit:forwithoutmeyecan

donothing...Ifyeabideinmeandmywordsabideinyou,yeshallaskwhatyewill,and

itshallbedoneuntoyou.HereinismyFatherglorified,thatyebearmuchfruit;so

shallyebemydisciples(John15:4-5,7-8).

Anappletreebearsfruitbecauseitisanappletree,nevertobecomeone.Thesame

istrueintheChristianlife.AChristiandoesgoodbecauseheisaChristian,neverto

becomeoneortogetanyreward.IfweabideinChristthenChristliveswithinus.

SinfulmencanbecomerighteousonlyastheyhavefaithinGodandmaintainavital

connectionwithHim(DesireofAges,309).

JustasJesuswassurrenderedtotheFather,soarewetobesurrenderedtoJesus.

HowdidJesusmaintainavitalconnectionwiththeFather?Mark1:35tellsusthat

Hegotupearlyandprayedeveryday.AndHedidnotprayselfishprayersbut

prayersthatalwaysputGod'swillfirst(Matthew26:39;John6:38).Hewasalways

askingWhatwouldYouhaveMedo?andaskingforstrengthtofulfillGodswill.

Theproudheartstrivestoearnsalvation;butbothourtitletoheavenandourfitness

foritarefoundintherighteousnessofChrist.TheLordcandonothingtowardthe

recoveryofmanuntil,convincedofhisownweaknessandstrippedofallself-

sufficiency,heyieldshimselftothecontrolofGod.ThenhecanreceivethegiftthatGodiswaitingtobestow(DesireofAges,300).

WhatadifferencethisisfromtheteachingsofIgnatiusofLoyola,RobertSchuller,

andothersinthenewspiritualformationmovement,whichfocusestheattentionon

us,ourabilitiestoredeemourselves,andevenourabilitytobecomegods.


13/26


13

Practical Prayer Principles

BecomingaprayerfulpersoninvolvesalotofhelpfromGod,butsomepatient

effortonourpartaswell.Itisimportanttoestablishatime,aplace,andamethod

forprayer.

Establish a TIME for PrayerAndinthemorning,risingupagreatwhilebeforeday,hewentout,anddepartedinto

asolitaryplace,andthereprayed(Mark1:35).

Myvoiceshaltthouhearinthemorning,OLORD;inthemorningwillIdirectmy

prayeruntothee,andwilllookup(Psalm5:3).

JesusfavoritetimetopraywasintheearlymorningbeforeHisbusyscheduleof

servingandpreachingbegan.GodenjoyshavingcommunionwithHimthroughout

theday.However,ifwedonotturntoGodinthebeginningofourdayforgraceand

strength,wewilloftenfindourselvesonourkneesintheeveningaskingfor

forgivenessforthemistakeswemadebecauseweneglectedthegreatopportunity.

Establish a PLACE for Prayer

...hewentout,anddepartedintoasolitaryplace,andthereprayed(Mark1:35).

Butthou,whenthouprayest,enterintothycloset,andwhenthouhastshutthydoor,

praytothyFatherwhichisinsecret;andthyFatherwhichseethinsecretshallrewardtheeopenly(Matthew6:6).

JesusalwaysfoundaquiteplacetocommunewithHisFather.Sometimesitwasina

garden,sometimesupinamountain,butwhereveritwas,Heusuallywasoutof

doorsandbyHimselfwhereHewouldnotbedisturbed.

ItisimportanttofindaspecialplacewhereyouwillnotbedisturbedinyourtimewithGod.Itmaybeaspecialchairbyyourbedoritmaybesomewhereinyour

backyard.ManypeoplereportthattheirprayerlifeisrechargedwhentheygooutdoorsinnaturelikeJesusdid.

Whetheroutonthedeckinthemorningorunderthestarsatnight,youcanfeelHis

presencemorefullysurroundedbytheevidenceofGodsCreation.Butthe

importantthingistochooseaquietplacewhereyoucanbealonetotalktoyour

BestFriend.

Establish a METHOD of PrayerButwhenyepray,usenotvainrepetitions,astheheathendo:fortheythinkthattheyshallbeheardfortheirmuchspeaking.Benotyethereforelikeuntothem:foryour

Fatherknowethwhatthingsyehaveneedof,beforeyeaskhim(Matthew6:7-8).

MatthewtellsusthatGoddoesnotwanttohearvainrepetitionsinourprayers.

PrayeristheopeningupofourhearttoGodlikeafriendandisappropriateatany

time,atanyplace,inanyform.Yetinthosespecialmomentsoftimealone,in


14/26


14

intimatecommunionwithHisFather,Jesuskneltandprayedaloud.

ToabideinJesusistoallowHiswordstoabideinyou.InHisanalysisofhowtoliveasaChristian,Jesusmakesabundantlyclearwhatitreallymeanstobeunitedwith

Him:

IfyouabideinMe,andMywordsabideinyou,youwillaskwhatyoudesire,anditshall

bedoneforyou(John15:7).

ToabideinChristmeansthatHiswords,HisteachingsandHislife-givingprinciplesfillyourmindandtransformyourlife.Godswordscontainlife-givingpower(Psalm

33:9;John6:63).Thisistheconnectiontothesourceofpowerinyourlife.

Why do so many read God's Word and receive little benefit?

Hebrews4:2tellsus...thewordpreacheddidnotprofitthem,notbeingmixedwith

faithinthemthatheardit.

Thereareover3000promisesintheBible.Theyareassurancesfromaloving

heavenlyFatherofHiscareandconcern.Acceptingthembyfaithbringsapeaceand

acalmassuranceofHisloveandpowerinourlives.

Itisfaiththatconnectsuswithheaven,andbringsusstrengthforcopingwiththe

powersofdarkness.InChrist,Godhasprovidedmeansforsubduingeverysinful

trait,andresistingeverytemptation,howeverstrong.Butmanyfeelthattheylack

faith,andthereforetheyremainawayfromChrist.

Letthesesouls,intheirhelplessunworthiness,castthemselvesuponthemercyof

theircompassionateSaviour.Looknottoself,buttoChrist.DesireofAgespage429

tellsusthis:

HewhohealedthesickandcastoutdemonswhenHewalkedamongmenisthesame

mightyRedeemertoday.FaithcomesbythewordofGod(Romans10:17).ThengraspHispromise,WhoevercomestoMeIwillneverdriveawayJohn6:37.Castyourselfat

Hisfeetwiththecry,Lord,Ibelieve,helpmyunbelief(Mark9:24).Youcannever

perishwhileyoudothis,never!

WithoutChristwecandonothing(John15:5),butwithChristwecanallthings

(Philippians4:13).ChristpromisesthatwhenweabideinHim,therewillbeahost

ofbenefits.Wewillbearmuchfruit(John15:8).Thisfruitwillmanifestitselfas

love,joy,peace,longsuffering,gentleness,goodness,faith,meekness,temperance(Galatians5:22-23).

Oursoulswillberestored(Psalm23:3),andHewillgiveusbeautyforashes,theoil

ofjoyformourning,thegarmentofpraiseforthespiritofheaviness(Isaiah61:3).

OtherswillglorifyandpraiseJesusforthefruittheyseeinourlives(Philippians

1:11).Hisglorywillbeourglorytoo.


15/26


15

TheglorythatGodisspeakingofisnotaself-centeredegotisticalkindofglory,but

ratheronethatresultsinblessingstoothers.JesussaysinJohn12:32,ButI,whenI

amliftedup,willdrawallmentoMyself.ItisnotuntilGodisliftedupandglorified

thatHecanbringmentoHimselfforthepurposeofsalvationtomankind.

Hisglorybringsblessingstotheworld.ThekindofgloryRobertSchullerteachesandpreachesaboutleavesJesusChristoutoftheequation.

Justasababymustreceivenourishmentthroughtheumbilicalcordinthewombof

themother,sowe,too,receivenourishmentthroughourvitalconnectionwithGod.

Withoutitwearepowerlessinourbattleagainstevil.Withoutitwearehelplessin

ourstruggleagainsttemptationsandsin.

Ourworksdonotsaveus,buttheyaretheevidenceofgenuinefaithinGodinour

lives.TheyareinstrumentalinleadingotherstoChristandsalvation.


16/26


16

What is Faith?

SometimeswewonderhowwecangettoknowGod.Well,itsthesamewayweget

toknowanybodyelse.Inordertogetacquaintedwithanyone,threethingsare

necessary:

1.Weneedtotalktothem2.Weneedtolistentothem

3.Weneedtogoplacesanddothingstogether.

Thesearetheingredientsofgoodcommunication.ButhowdoweknowGodiseven

there?

Wetakeadvantageofmanythingswecantsee.Howlonghasitbeensinceyousaw

electricityorwind?Wecantseethismysteriousthingcalledlife.Yetwecansee

theresultsofalloftheabove.

EventhoughwecannotseeGodorhearHisvoicewithourhumanequipment,wecanstillseetheworkingofHispower,andbytakingadvantageoftheavenuesof

communicationHehasgivenus,wecancometoknowHim.ItsbyknowingHim

thatwelearntotrustHim.

FaithisimportanttotheChristianlife.Hebrews11:6tellsus,Butwithoutfaithitis

impossibletopleasehim:forhethatcomethtoGodmustbelievethatheis,andthat

heisarewarderofthemthatdiligentlyseekhim.

Somepeoplethinkyouneedawholelotoffaith,butLuke17:5-6tellsusthatfaithas

smallasamustardseedcanmovemountains!Itapparentlydoesnttakealottoachievealot.Faithisnotmeasuredbyhowmuchwehave.Alittlefaith,ifitis

genuine,doestheimpossible.

WhatifwedonthavethefaithrequiredforGodtobeabletoworkinourlives?WejustneedtoaskGodforit(Mark9:20-27).WehaveonlytoaskGodforthefaithwe

needsincefaithultimatelycomesfromHimanyway.

WeshallneverbeataplaceforwhichGodcannotmakeprovisioninourlives.Lord,

Ibelieve;helpmyunbeliefiswhatwecansayanytimewedontfeelwehave

enoughfaith.HeisfaithfultohelpusatanytimeinourneedofHim.

Thespiritualpromisesarealwaysavailable.Butthepromisesfortemporal

blessings,evenforlifeitself,aregivenonoccasionandwithheldonoccasionas

Godswillseesbest.FaithstilltrustsGodevenwhenthingsdontworkouttheway

wewantthemto.ItseasytotrustGodwhenlifeisgoingsmoothly.

Therealtestoffaithcomeswhenourprayersseemunanswered.Thetruthisthat

wedontworkonourrighteousnessnordoweworkonfaith.Botharegifts.Both


17/26


17

comeasaresultofknowingJesus.AndknowingJesuscomesasaresultofspending

timeinprayerandcommunionwithHim.IfwewillcometoHim,Hewillsupplyto

usthegenuinefaiththatweneed.

A Story of Faith

Genuinefaithistocontinuebelievingevenifitdoesntseemtobeworkingatfirst.Matthew15:21-28tellsusofaGentilewomanoftheCanaaniteracethatcametoJesusaskingforherdaughtertobehealed.

ThedisciplesandJesuswerecomingtotheborderofPhoeniciawhenthiswoman

cameuptoJesus.ChristsmessagehadspreadintotheregionofPhoeniciawhere

theGentileCanaaniteslived.Thiswomanhadheardoftheprophet,who,itwas

reported,healedallmannerofdiseases.AssheheardofHispower,hopesprangup

inherheart.

Inspiredbyamotherslove,shedeterminedtopresentherdaughterscasetoHim.It

washerresolutepurposetobringherafflictiontoJesus.Hemusthealherchild.Shehadsoughthelpfromtheheathengods,buthadobtainednorelief.Andattimesshe

wastemptedtothink,whatcanthisJewishteacherdoforme?Butshedetermined

nottoloseheronlyhope.

Christknewthiswomanssituation.HeknewthatshewaslongingtoseeHim,and

HeplacedHimselfinherpath.Byministeringtohersorrow,HecouldgivealivingrepresentationofthelessonHedesignedtoteach.ForthisHehadbroughtHis

disciplesintothisregion.HedesiredthemtoseetheignoranceexistingincitiesandvillagesclosetothelandofIsrael.

TheJewishpeoplewhohadbeengiveneveryopportunitytounderstandthetruth

werewithoutaknowledgeoftheneedsofthosearoundthem.Theymadenoeffort

tohelpsoulsindarkness.ThepartitionwallthatJewishpridehaderected,shuteven

thedisciplesfromsympathywiththeheathenworld.Butthesebarriersweretobe

brokendown.

Christdidnotimmediatelyreplytothewomansrequest.ButalthoughJesusdidnot

reply,thewomandidnotlosefaith.AsHepassedon,asifnothearingher,she

followedHim,continuinghersupplications.

Annoyedbyherimportunities,thedisciplesaskedJesustosendheraway.Theysaw

thattheirMastertreatedherwithindifference,andtheythereforesupposedthatthe

prejudiceoftheJewsagainsttheCanaaniteswaspleasingtoHim.ButitwasapityingSaviourtowhomthewomanmadeherplea,andinanswertotherequestof

thedisciples,Jesussaid,IamnotsentbutuntothelostsheepofthehouseofIsrael.

AlthoughthisanswerappearedtobeinaccordancewiththeprejudiceoftheJews,it

wasanimpliedrebuketothedisciples,whichtheyafterwardunderstoodas

remindingthemofwhatHehadoftentoldthemthatHecametotheworldtosave

allwhowouldacceptHim.


18/26


18

Thewomanurgedhercasewithincreasedearnestness,bowingatChristsfeet,and

crying,Lord,helpme.Jesus,stillapparentlyrejectingherentreaties,accordingto

theunfeelingprejudiceoftheJews,answered,Itisnotmeettotakethechildrens

breadandtocastittodogs.Thiswasvirtuallyassertingthatitwasnotjusttolavish

theblessingsbroughttothefavoredpeopleofGoduponstrangersandaliensfrom

Israel.

Thisanswerwouldhaveutterlydiscouragedalessearnestseeker.Butthewoman

sawheropportunityhadcome.BeneaththeapparentrefusalofJesus,shesawa

compassionthatHecouldnothide.Truth,Lord,sheanswered,Yetthedogseatof

thecrumbswhichfallfromtheirmasterstable.

Whilethechildrenofthehouseholdeatatthefatherstable,eventhedogsarenot

leftunfed.Theyhavearighttothecrumbsthatfallfromthetableabundantlysupplied.So,whilethereweremanyblessingsgiventoIsrael,wastherenotalsoa

blessingforher?Shewaslookeduponasadog,andhadshenotthenadogsclaim

toacrumbfromHisbounty?

ThiswomanwassodifferentfromthePharisees.Theymurmuredandcomplained.

Theymanifestedunbeliefandbitterness,andrefusedthesalvationsofreelyoffered

them.ThiswomanwasofanunfortunateanddespisedracethathasnotbeenfavoredwiththelightofGodsWord;however,sheyieldsatoncetothedivine

influenceofChrist,andhasimplicitfaithinHisabilitytograntthefavorsheasks.

Shehasnonationalorreligiousprejudiceorpridetoinfluencehercourse,andshe

immediatelyacknowledgesJesusastheRedeemerandasbeingabletodoallthat

sheasksofHim.

Jesusissatisfied...ByHisdealingswithher,Hehasshownthatshewhohasbeen

regardedasanoutcastfromIsraelisnolongeranalien,butachildinGodshousehold.Asachild,itisherprivilegetoshareintheFathersgifts.Christnowgrantsher

request,andfinishesthelessontothedisciples.Turningtoherwithalookofpityand

love,Hesays,Owoman,greatisthyfaith:beituntotheeevenasthouwilt.Fromthathourherdaughterbecamewhole...ThewomandepartedacknowledgingherSaviour,

andhappyinthegrantingofherprayer(DA,399-402).

EventhoughJesusseemedtoignore,spurnandeveninsulther,thisGentilewomanperseveredinherfaith,continuingtotrustHimandpetitioningherrequest.The

bestdefinitionoffaithistrust.Itisdependinguponanother.

Living Faith

ThereoncewasatightropewalkerwhowascrossingNiagaraFalls.Afterhehad

heldthecrowdsspellboundwithhisdaring,heasked,HowmanyofyoubelieveI

couldcrossthetightropeagain,thistimepushingawheelbarrowwithsomeone

ridinginit?

Thecrowdsapplauded.Theyweresurehecoulddoit.Butthenhesaid,Whowill


19/26


19

volunteertoridethewheelbarrow?

Therewasavastsilence.Theaudiencehadjustbeenremindedofthevitaldifferencebetweenbeliefandtrust.Itsonethingtobelievethatthewheelbarrow

wouldmakeitsafelyacrossthechasm.Itsquiteanotherthingtoputyourlifeonthe

line.Thatsthekindoffaiththatisgenuine!

Howcanwebestlearntotrustsomeone?Bygettingtoknowthem.Paultrusted

Jesus.In2Timothy1:12hewrote,ForthewhichcauseIalsosufferthesethings:

neverthelessIamnotashamed:forIknowwhomIhavebelieved.

WecangettoknowGodlikethat,too.Here'show:

1.ListeningtoHim(Romans10:17)2.TalkingtoHim(Philippians4:6;Luke11:9-13)

3.WorkingwithHim(Matthew11:29)

Buthowdoweacquirefaith?Isitsomethingthatweworkonordowescrewupourenergyastightaspossibleuntilitcomes?TheBibletellsusthatfaithisagiftfrom

God.Hehasgiveneveryoneameasureoffaith(Romans12:3)andistheauthorand

finisherofourfaith(Hebrews12:2).

OurfaithgetsbetterandbetterthemoreweworkongettingtoknowGodthrough

thethreeavenuesabove.ThemoretimewespendwithJesus,themoregenuineit

becomes.

God's Will Revealed

WhenwearewalkingwithGodinthisway,GodwillhelpustobecertainofHiswill.

Wewilltellus,helpus,guideusthroughoutourlives.TherearethreewaysthatGodrevealsHiswilltous.

1.ThroughHisWord(Psalm119:105;Joshua1:8).TheScripturesareaveryreliablesourceoffindingGodswillonanygivensubject.Muchwisdomcanbe

obtainedregardingfinances,parenting,oranynumberofmoralissues.Ifyouneedguidanceonamatter,alwaysconsulttheBibleforguidancefirst.

2.Throughprovidenceorcircumstances(Proverbs3:5-6;Psalm37:23).God

willoftenbringcircumstancesintoourlivesinordertorevealHiswilltous.Whenweareinprayerregardinglifedecisionssuchasajoborresidence,weneedtolook

foropenorcloseddoors.

3.Throughdirectcommunicationtotheheart(Acts8:26-40).Sometimesthe

HolySpiritwillimpressuponyourheartHiswilltoyou.Oftentimesitishelpfulto

prayveryspecificallytotheLordregardingcertainmattersthatweareunclear

about.

Anexampleofthisisonepersonwhoprayedaboutanofferedjobopportunity.They


20/26


20

prayedthatifthisjobopportunitywereinGodswillforthem,theirexcitement

wouldcontinuetogrowstrongerandstronger.AndifthiswerenotGodswill,that

Hewouldtakethisideaaway.

Assoonasthatprayerwasuttered,thepersoncouldntevenrememberthenameof

thecompany.TheyknewinstantlythatitwasnotGodswillforthem.Sixmonthslater,thecompanyfolded!Godknowstheendfromthebeginning.Bybeinginthe

verycenterofHiswillwehavepeaceinourlives.


21/26


21

SurrenderAsweperceivethatGodisrealandactiveinourlives,wehaveadesiretolearn

moreaboutHim.

AswebegintosenseoursinfulnessandourneedforChrist,webegintodesireapersonalrelationshipwithHim.WewanttogiveHimourlove,butsometimesthere

seemstobenothingthere.Howdoesthisworkofconversionbegin,andwhatisourroleinit?

Jesustaughtthattherighteousnessneededtoenterheavenwasgreaterthanthe

righteousnessofthescribesandPharisees(Matthew5:20).Therighteousness

neededforsalvationisarighteousnessbyfaith(Galatians2:15-16,21).

Righteousnessbyfaithisatransactionthegreatesttradethatwasevermade!We

tradeourtotalsinfulnessinexchangeforChristsholyrighteousness.Thisisthe

onlyrighteousnessthatcangainusentranceintoheaven.

Dying to Self

WereceivethisrighteousnessofChristswhenwegiveupontryingtoobtain

salvationbyourgoodworksorbehavior,andsurrenderourwilltoGod.TheBiblecallsthosewhohavegivenuponthemselvesdead(Romans6:2).Deadpeople

cannotsin(Romans6:7).WedietoselfbybeingcrucifiedspirituallywithChrist(Romans6:6).

Thisisanactofsurrender,butitisnotanactualphysicaldeath,noradeathtoones

identity.Itisnotaboutbeingamindlessspinelessthingthatobeyswithout

question.ItisanintelligentsurrenderofonesselfishdesiresandinclinationstoGodsrevealedwill.

Noonecancrucifythemselves.Itmustbedoneforthem.Itisthesamewith

surrender.WeactuallyneedGodinordertobeabletosurrenderfullytoHim.

BecauseHeisagentleman,GoddoesnotforceHimselfonus,orpossessusagainst

ourwill.Heasksusforpermissionfirst(Revelation3:20).Jesusspokeofself-

surrenderasself-denialalosingofoneslife,givingupeverythinginordertogain

everything.

Weallhavetodie.Ourchoiceiswhetherwewanttodietoselfandberebornin

Christ,ortodiewithoutChristandforfeitoursalvation.Whenweholdontothe

controlofourliveshereonEarth,weloseoureternallife,butwhenwedecideto

loseitforthesakeofChrist,wegaineternallife.Self-surrenderisnotaone-time

experience.Itssomethingwehavetododaily(Luke9:23).

Surrender is God's work in us

Andthereislifeafterspiritualdeath.Romans6:4-5tellsusthatdyingtoselfisnot


22/26


22

theend.ItisthebeginningofanewlifeinChrist.Godcontrolsthenewlifebecause

wehaveyieldedourselvestoHim.Surrender,orgivingup,isadmittingthatwecan

donothing.Inevitably,therefore,theworkofbringingustothepointofsurrender

mustbetheworkofGod.Itisnotsomethingwecandoforourselves.

WearecontrolledeitherbyGodorSatan(Romans6:16;Luke11:23;James4:4).Theonlycontrolwehaveistochoosewhoisgoingtocontrolus:

UnlesswedoyieldourselvestothecontrolofChrist,weshallbedominatedbythe

wickedone.Wemustinevitablybeunderthecontroloftheoneortheotherofthetwo

greatpowersthatarecontendingforthesupremacyoftheworld.Itisnotnecessary

forusdeliberatelytochoosetheserviceofthekingdomofdarknessinordertocomeunderitsdominion.Wehaveonlytoneglecttoallyourselveswiththekingdomoflight

(DesireofAges,324).

James4:7-8tellsushowtoresistthedevilandhiscontrol:

SubmityourselvesthereforetoGod.Resistthedevil,andhewillfleefromyou.Draw

nightoGod,andhewilldrawnightoyou.

LetGodfightagainstSatanonyourbehalf.Youarenotstrongenoughonyourown.

Romans7:18-19tellsusthateverythingdependsontherightactionofthewillthe

powerofchoiceGodhasgiventous;itisourstoexercise.

Youcannotchangeyourheart,youcannotofyourselfgivetoGoditsaffections;but

youcanchoosetoserveHim.YoucangiveHimyourwill;HewillthenworkinyoutowillandtodoaccordingtoHisgoodpleasure.(Phil2:13)Thusyourwholenature

willbebroughtunderthecontroloftheSpiritofChrist;youraffectionswillbe

centeredonHim,yourthoughtswillbeinharmonywithHim(StepstoChrist,30).

Insteadofexpendingourenergiesdoinggoodworkstoearnoursalvation,weneed

torechannelthoseenergiesintospendingtimewithChrist.Aswemakethechoice

tospendtimeday-by-dayinbeholdingChrist,weinviteHimtodoHisworkinour

lives,andHewillleadusstep-by-steptothepointofsurrender.Givingupispossible

onlywhenHehasbroughtustothatpoint.


23/26


23

Christian GrowthInapreviousarticle,weexploredwhatfaithis.Welearnedthatanotherwordfor

faithistrust.AndwelearnedthatwebegintotrustGodbyreadingHisWord,

prayingtoHim,andtrustingHimwithourlife.

Areyouinterestedingrowingspiritually?Thekeyisthatyoucannotgrowby

focusingongrowth.Probablynothingismoredetrimentaltospiritualgrowththan

constantlycheckingyourselfforfruit.

Thereisonesurewaytotellwhetheryouaregrowing:lookatwhetheryouare

eating.IsntthewaytogrowspirituallytopartakeoftheBreadofLife?

Growth and Grace

WhatdoesGodexpectofme?WhatpartoftheprocessdoesGodplayandwhatpart

doIplay?

IntheChristianlife,wearetogrowingraceandintheknowledgeofJesusChrist(2Peter3:18).

Weobtainthegraceweneedfromthethroneofgrace.Weareinvitedtocome

boldlytoaskformercyandgraceintimeofneed(Hebrews4:16).

WeobtaintheknowledgeofJesusChristthroughtheWord(1Peter2:2-3).Itis

throughpersonalstudyofScripturethatwecometoafullerunderstandingoftheknowledgeofJesus.

Throughthesetwoavenues,weareabletogrowinfaithandlove(2Thessalonians1:3).OurfaithmustgrowinitsdependenceonGod.

Peterwasagoodexampleofoursituation.HiseyeswereonlyonJesusashe

steppedoutoftheboatandontothewatertobewithHim.ButoncehetookhiseyesoffChristandbegantodependonhimself,hebeginstosink.Itsnotunusualforus

towaverlikethisinourfaithaswell.

Abiding in Christ and His Love

John15:4tellsusthatwecanonlygrowandbearfruitifweabideinChrist.Justasa

branchneedstostayconnectedtothemaintrunkofthetreeinordertoreceivelife-

givingnourishmentandsustenance,soweneedtostayconnectedtoJesus.GrowthintheChristianlifeislearningtodependuponGodmoreandmore.

DependenceuponGodisanallornothingproposition.Thereisnosuchthingasa

partialtrustorpartialsurrender.YouareeithersurrenderedtoGodatanygiven

momentoryouarenot,andareinsteaddependinguponyourself.

Romans8:35,38-39tellsusthatthereisnothingthatcaneverseparateusfromthe


24/26


24

loveofGod.Therefore,ifwefallandfail,wedontneedtowaitforGodtocooloff.

Wedontgiveupanddecidethatwellnevermakeittoheaven.WedonttrytomakethingsrightOnourown,andthencomebacktoHim.WecancometoHim

immediately,confessoursin,andourneedofHim.

Throughitall,ourrelationshipwithGodcontinues.Whenwethinkofthewonderful

wordsofRomans8,werealizethatGodwillneverseparatefromus.Theonlytime

separationcanoccuriswhenitsusdoingtheseparating.

Matthew26:41tellsusthatthespiritisindeedwilling,butthefleshisweak.We

arenaturallyweak.Wewanttodotherightthing,ourintentionsmaybegood,but

wefailshortintheactualityofdoing.ButGodpromisesusthatHisgraceis

sufficientforyou,forMystrengthismadeperfectinweakness(2Corinthians12:9).

WemustrealizethatasChristians,wedontgrowbybecomingstrongerandstronger.Wegrowbyrealizinganeweachdayhowweakweareandhow

dependentweareuponGodsgrace.

ThesecrettogrowthintheChristianlifeisrepeatingthefirstconversionexperience

onadailybasis.Colossians2:6-7admonishesus,Asyouthereforehavereceived

ChristJesustheLord,sowalkinHim,rootedandbuiltupinHimandestablishedin

thefaith,asyouhavebeentaught...

YoucontinueyourChristianexperience,youabideinChrist,inthesamewayasyou

receivedHimatfirst...yougaveyourselftoGod,tobeHiswholly,toserveandobeyHim,andyoutookChristasyourSaviour.Youcouldnotyourselfatoneforyoursins

orchangeyourheart;buthavinggivenyourselftoGod;youbelievethatHefor

Christssakedidallthisforyou.ByfaithyoubecameChristsandbyfaithyouaretogrowupinHimbygivingandtaking.Youaretogiveallyourheart,yourwill,

yourservicegiveyourselftoHimtoobeyallHisrequirements;andyoumusttake

allChrist,thefullnessofallblessing,toabideinyourheart,tobeyourstrength,

yourrighteousness,youreverlastinghelpertogiveyoupowertoobey(Stepsto

Christ,34).

Christ is the Author

Hebrews12:2-3givesusthesecrettoChristiangrowth:

LookinguntoJesus,theauthorandthefinisherofourfaith.

Whentheminddwellsuponself,itisturnedawayfromChrist,thesourceofstrengthandlife.HenceitisSatansconstantefforttokeeptheattentiondivertedfromthe

SaviourandthuspreventstheunionandcommunionofthesoulwithChrist.The

pleasuresoftheworld,lifescaresandperplexitiesandsorrows,thefaultsofothers,orourownfaultsandimperfectionstoanyorallofthesehewillseektodivertthemind

(StepstoChrist,34).


25/26


25

WhenwestayfocusedonJesus,wewillbearmuchfruitandwewillhavevictory

(John15:5;Philippians4:13).Manypeoplehavethemistakenideathatspiritual

birthcomesfromGod,butthatspiritualgrowthistheirownresponsibility.Itis

simplynotpossibletogrowingracebyourownfeebleefforts.

GrowthisagiftfromGod,justlikerepentanceandforgivenessandeternallife.AndwecontinuetoreceivethegiftofgrowthasweaskHimintoourliveseachday.


26/26


God's Promises to YouJesushasgivenusmanypreciouspromisesinHisWord.Itisimpossibletobelieve

thesemagnificentpromisesandnothaveassurancenow.ThatiswhyJesusgave

themtous.

Followingisalistoftwentypromises.TherearemanymoreinScripture.

christian living(1)

Documents