The Christian Life - A Life of Joy, Peace and Suffering

The Christian Life: The Born-Again Experience

The moment a person accepts Jesus as his or her Savior, a new life begins. This Christian Life is a life lived with the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is given to every true believer at the moment of Salvation. The natural man is dead and the Spiritual man is born, by believing in Jesus Christ and being justified by faith in Him. 

John 3:3 - Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

John 1:12 - But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Ephesians 2:5-6 - Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

The Christian Life: The Battle between Flesh and Spirit

The Christian Life is a constant, never-ending war between the flesh and the Spirit. We are constantly exposed to things that could easily draw us away from God and make us commit Sins that the devil would love us to do. As long as you are on earth, you cannot escape this war. However, you can fight the good fight with the Power of Christ resting in you.

Romans 8:13- For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Romans 6:12-13 - Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.

The Christian Life: Aiming at progressive Perfection

We have no excuse to fall into a pattern of sin, as we have the Holy Spirit in us and sin would grieve the Holy Spirit indwelling in us. Holy Spirit is the counsellor and comforter given to all believers by the Grace and Power of God. Christ was tempted on earth just like every other human being, but He overcame sin and never let evil overcome Him.

We who are Born Again by the Spirit of God have the desire to please God, but many times we fail. Though we will not be completely perfect on this side of Heaven, we should keep growing in good works and obedience. If you have no desire to grow in the Lord, you have a very good reason to examine whether your faith is real.

If you are a Christian, you definitely won't become sinless now on earth, but you should sin less and less and less, as you keep abiding and growing in Christ.

2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and [in] the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him [be] glory both now and forever. Amen.

The Christian Life: The Real Abundant Life

If you live an obedient life that often overcomes the flesh, you will eventually start enjoying the fullest life that God wants us to. Please note that real abundant joy and peace doesn't come by a problem-free life or massive wealth or any sort of worldly pleasure, but by submission to God's will and living a life that is pleasing to God.

The only war that results in true Peace is the War Against the Flesh, won not by our strength but by God's power. God never promised that the Christian life journey is going to be easy or happy always. But, He will provide us with His strength and grace to live a Christian life that is more of Jesus and less of the world if we seek Him.

Romans 14:17 - For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

Psalms 118:24 - This [is] the day [which] the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalms 16:9 - Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

1 Peter 1:8 - Whom not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see [him] not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

The Christian Life: Awaiting Heaven

Jesus has prepared a place for every true believer. In heaven, there is no pain, illness, hunger or pandemic. It is the safest and best place filled with the glory of God. This world is not our permanent residence. Our lives should reflect the fact that we can rejoice in any circumstance on earth because we have a rock-solid hope of being with God forever. 

We are called to be heavenly minded and store up treasures in Heaven. We will be rewarded for every good work we do for God on earth. Every Christian is supposed to be a full-time missionary, glorifying God wherever they are. God needs Christians everywhere; in every legitimate workplace. When the world identifies that Christians are not all about amassing wealth and fame on earth, but rather in the business of pleasing God in everything, God will be glorified.

Matthew 16:27 - For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 25:21 - His lord said unto him, Well done, [thou] good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

Revelation 22:12 - And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward [is] with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

1 Corinthians 3:8 - Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

1 Corinthians 3:13-15 - Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

Revelation 21:4- And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

John 14:2 - In my Father's house are many mansions: if [it were] not [so], I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

This Post: The Christian Life

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