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Living The Christian Life
Contributed by Tom Walker on Oct 18, 2000 (message contributor)
Summary: In Gal. 2:20 Paul speaks of ìThe life which I now live in the flesh.
In Gal. 2:20 Paul speaks of ìThe life which I now live in the flesh.î Saved persons are to be submitted and surrendered to the Holy Spirit, in order that their lives might count for Christ. There are enemies in living this life such as the world, the flesh and the devil. Also, there is the enjoyment of this life. It is a tragedy that some folks think the Christian life is not something you can enjoy. As well, there is the enhancement of this life, which comes from prayer, Bible study, and Christian fellowship. It is important how we live the Christian life. Let me share with you several adverbs that express how we should live for Christ:
I. Live It Constantly (Titus 3:8). So many folks are ìup and downî in their Christian life. At times they are like a runner in a race giving it the best he has near the finish line. At other times you find them voluntarily ìsitting on the benchî in the Christian life. We should seek to live for God without any pause or let up.
II. Live It Valiantly (1 Chron. 19:13). We are to be brave and stout hearted for the Lord Jesus Christ. A good example is the three Hebrew children that would not bow to the idols. They face the fiery furnace knowing that God was able to deliver them, in spite of the flame.
III. Live It Uprightly (Ps.84:11). We are to live the Christian life with integrity. It behooves us to be people who are guided by proper principles in our daily walk. All of us need the right rules of action.
IV. Live It Patiently (Heb.6:15). Patience is the quality of being patient, as the bearing of provocation, annoyance, misfortune, or pain, without complaint, loss of temper, irritation, or the like. Impatience will get us into trouble with God and with man.
V. Live It Prudently (Isa. 52:13). The word is used in reference to the Lord Jesus in Isa. 52:13. If we are to be Christ-like, then certainly God expects the same thing out of us as well. The word has the idea of living with wisdom, insight, and good understanding.
VI. Live It Fervently (Col. 4:12; 1 Pet.1:22). We are to be fervent both in our prayers and in our love toward one another.
VII. Live It Expectantly (Titus 2:13). We should be looking for Jesus to return and take us to be with Himself.