Posted on Mon, Aug 20, 2012
This sinful world has its values. See Galatians 5: 19-21; so also, the Christian life, its norms. Galatians 5:22. The world glamorizes sin. Often, it extols all its negatives and minimizes life’s positive qualities. Hollywood detects the latest fashion, whether or not such fashions are disingenuous. People want to be like Actor “X” or Actress” Y” because they are “successful”. The Christian in this world is, thus, faced with the struggles to model his life after Christ and be ridiculed, or accept the pattern of the world and risk eternal separation from God. Must he hold on to what is good as allowed by the bible?
Yes, in a sinful world, the Christian life is possible. But a Christian in this world must abide in Christ who is his head. He must be humble; should read God's Words - the bible, and has to pray without ceasing.
1. Being humble is a must for the Christian because the Christian life is not his; it is the life of Christ. Thus, to live Christ's life in this world, he must operate from Christ, who is his head. He (Christ) has the secret of victory. Therefore, a Christian in this world has to submit his will, wholly, to Christ and yield completely to His directions and guidance. By so doing, he will draw the needed strength and grace from Christ, and get constant help. He will see the effectiveness of depending not on his power for daily living. But on the power of Christ with whom he can get through this sinful world and the difficult times of his life with relative ease. James and 1 Peter quote Proverbs 3:34, which states that He (God) mocks the proud but gives His grace to the humble. The humble Christian in this world will be able, and willing to spend time in prayer asking total sustenance.
2. As a Christian in this world, he must read the bible, always. We hear from God through the bible. In the bible, the Christian in this world will see instances of God’s intervention in people’s lives – ordinary and often sinful people like him. God speaks to us through the bible and shows His unselfish love for us, in spite of our sins; and the bible also shows His hatred for sins. How Jesus Christ received God’s punishment for our sins, and obtained an eternal pardon for us, are in the bible. God’s vast provisions “made for us in all things for this life, and that which is to come” are in the bible. Such provisions as: authority over constant accusation of sinfulness by our consciences - (we are forever forgiven of all our sins – past, present and future, the moment one becomes a Christian); victory over Satan’s subtlety; power to make wealth; rights and privileges as Christians and much more, are in the bible. Thus, the bible should “not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.” Joshua 1:8. Therefore, living a Christian life in this world is possible, if the Christian is wholly wrapped up in the word of God.
3. Living a Christian life in this world is possible, if the Christian in this world is, constantly, able and, unhesitatingly, willing to talk to God about his needs. We talk to God in prayer. His prayers must be immersed in the word of God. He has to be assured that God hears and answers prayers. Luke 19. He must talk to God about everything and humbly wait on Him for direction.
Thus, surrounded by witnesses of answered prayers from past personal experiences, exploits of contemporary Christians and his forbearers in the bible, a Christian in this world will be sufficiently emboldened to pray, read the bible, and depend on God to lead him to live Christ’s life in this sinful world. When he fails, he will know how not to wallow in defeatist self-pity but to always get up and trust Christ for His ever-present forgiveness and mercies.
The following link from the u-tube so effectively enforces the message in this discourse:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGrlO8ntOQk
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