To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. Rev 3:21
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has been a long time since I wrote the last article and I am really glad to resume with the articles. I didn't find the right time and mindset and focus to continue on articles. By the grace of God, again I found the motivation to continue. I am writing this on September 8, 2019. We are about to close the new creation series and this is the penultimate chapter and with the next chapter we will get into conclusion.
If you have gone through the new creation series, you could have identified that Christianity is not religious based movement instead it is all about the relationship with the true triune God through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The real goal of the Christian life is to lead a life like Christ, walking in the spirit, giving fruits, reflecting the nature of Christ and that won't happen without a continuous connection with the Holy Spirit. The connection with the Holy Spirit cannot go proper without a clean conscience so we need to walk pure with the clean heart in order to live a life like Christ.
Having said that, we have seen that there is an opposition in our lives here and the opposition comes from the world, our flesh and the devil. There are three types of problem that are in the world that impacts us lust of eye, lust of flesh and pride of life as per 1 John 2:16. So, there are temptations and troubles coming our way when we try to lead a Godly life as per 2 Timothy 3:12. In the past couple of articles, I have wrote about protecting ourselves from the temptations and withstanding troubles. In this chapter will try to focus on how to overcome the opposition.
First to overcome the temptations, we need to have the clear motive set in our mind and the motive is to attain the same glory of Christ in the eternal life. Our motive shouldn't be just getting into the heavens but we need to fix our eyes on what are all promised to us in the life which is to come. Even Jesus fixed His eyes on the eternal joy on the right hand of the Father which is set forth in front of Him and endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2 So, if we follow the role model of Jesus, we will overcome for sure. Please check the blessings of the overcomers in the messages to the Churches of Revelation and we have to fix our eyes on those eternal blessings. This must be our motive.
Secondly, we must know about how to fight the battle. Paul equates Christian life to three different types, warfare, wrestling and race. The first is the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6 where the new born Christian should be aware of the spiritual armor. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet with preparation of gospel of peace, helmet of salvation, shield of faith and sword of spirit, which is the Word of God. But, we should be aware of the opposition as well which is principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickednesses of high place. Secondly, Paul sees a Christian life as wrestling and he instructs Timothy to wrestle in a right way 2 Timothy 2:5. So, we need to wrestle not with flesh and blood but against all the temptations and troubles that are brought against us by the opposition. Thirdly, Paul sees the Christian life as a race as he writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. and Why because to obtain an incorruptible crown. So, Paul says "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I Corinthians 9:27.
There are two kinds of people in every sport or game, One is players and another is Spectators. Only the winning player or team will get the prize but the spectators won't get anything. Today, most of the Christians are just spectators but only those who enter the race and overcome will get the eternal rewards. So, if you are troubled and tempted a lot because of your Godly life, then remember that greater prize awaits. Whenever you decline a temptation down for the sake of the Lord, His name is glorified and you will be eternally glorified. Remember even Christ said the same thing that there will be troubles for you in this world, but remember that I overcame the world. So, if you run your race, walking by spirit, bearing fruits and reflecting Christ in your life, you will surely be equivalent of Him as John says "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." I John 3:2. Remember we are called to be overcomers and not settle for just average Christian life and the goal of Christian life is to be Christ like in this world so that we will be like Him in the coming life as well.
If you have this mindset and if you are in communion with the Holy Spirit, then you will surely reach there. There is only one thing which could stop you from reaching the eternal glory and that one deceiving this is the desire of money. There are two examples, one in Old Testament and one in New Testament who were greatly regarded but had fallen from their positions. Most of you would have guessed the New Testament example who is the famous example of Judas Iscariot who lost his position because of the desire for just 30 silver pieces. But, it is difficult to guess the OT example. The perfect example is Balaam, the prophet who had a great vision and revelation. In Numbers 24, he prophecied about Jesus and he also mentioned that his spiritual eyes were opened Numbers 24:3. This was a great gift that not even many great ministers of God had. But, even if his spiritual eyes were opened, his heart was on money so that he gave an evil counsel to Balak, the moabite king to make the daughters of moab to commit adultery with Israelites and made Israelites to eat and worship things that were offered to idols. Rev 2:14. His eyes were darkened as per Exodus 23:8, Deut 16:19. Finally, Balaam was killed in the battle by Israelites and he didn't die a death of righteous as he desired once. Numbers 23:10, 31:8. Peter and Jude quoted Balaam on a wrong note and Jude says that only blackness and darkness was kept for such people for ever. Why ? All because of love of money. Samson and David committed adultery but still they were recorded in faith giants in Hebrew 11. But, it is the love of money which is a slow but definite killer.
Keep yourself girded and walk in love, truth and after the Spirit. You will lead a true Christian life which is a born again life, having your soul regenerated every day with the Word of God. May you reap rich blessings in heaven. Let's give all glory, honor and praise to God the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever. Amen.
Greetings to you in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It has been a long time since I wrote the last article and I am really glad to resume with the articles. I didn't find the right time and mindset and focus to continue on articles. By the grace of God, again I found the motivation to continue. I am writing this on September 8, 2019. We are about to close the new creation series and this is the penultimate chapter and with the next chapter we will get into conclusion.
If you have gone through the new creation series, you could have identified that Christianity is not religious based movement instead it is all about the relationship with the true triune God through His Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The real goal of the Christian life is to lead a life like Christ, walking in the spirit, giving fruits, reflecting the nature of Christ and that won't happen without a continuous connection with the Holy Spirit. The connection with the Holy Spirit cannot go proper without a clean conscience so we need to walk pure with the clean heart in order to live a life like Christ.
Having said that, we have seen that there is an opposition in our lives here and the opposition comes from the world, our flesh and the devil. There are three types of problem that are in the world that impacts us lust of eye, lust of flesh and pride of life as per 1 John 2:16. So, there are temptations and troubles coming our way when we try to lead a Godly life as per 2 Timothy 3:12. In the past couple of articles, I have wrote about protecting ourselves from the temptations and withstanding troubles. In this chapter will try to focus on how to overcome the opposition.
First to overcome the temptations, we need to have the clear motive set in our mind and the motive is to attain the same glory of Christ in the eternal life. Our motive shouldn't be just getting into the heavens but we need to fix our eyes on what are all promised to us in the life which is to come. Even Jesus fixed His eyes on the eternal joy on the right hand of the Father which is set forth in front of Him and endured the cross. Hebrews 12:2 So, if we follow the role model of Jesus, we will overcome for sure. Please check the blessings of the overcomers in the messages to the Churches of Revelation and we have to fix our eyes on those eternal blessings. This must be our motive.
Secondly, we must know about how to fight the battle. Paul equates Christian life to three different types, warfare, wrestling and race. The first is the spiritual battle in Ephesians 6 where the new born Christian should be aware of the spiritual armor. The belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet with preparation of gospel of peace, helmet of salvation, shield of faith and sword of spirit, which is the Word of God. But, we should be aware of the opposition as well which is principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickednesses of high place. Secondly, Paul sees a Christian life as wrestling and he instructs Timothy to wrestle in a right way 2 Timothy 2:5. So, we need to wrestle not with flesh and blood but against all the temptations and troubles that are brought against us by the opposition. Thirdly, Paul sees the Christian life as a race as he writes in 1 Corinthians 9:24, Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. and Why because to obtain an incorruptible crown. So, Paul says "But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." I Corinthians 9:27.
There are two kinds of people in every sport or game, One is players and another is Spectators. Only the winning player or team will get the prize but the spectators won't get anything. Today, most of the Christians are just spectators but only those who enter the race and overcome will get the eternal rewards. So, if you are troubled and tempted a lot because of your Godly life, then remember that greater prize awaits. Whenever you decline a temptation down for the sake of the Lord, His name is glorified and you will be eternally glorified. Remember even Christ said the same thing that there will be troubles for you in this world, but remember that I overcame the world. So, if you run your race, walking by spirit, bearing fruits and reflecting Christ in your life, you will surely be equivalent of Him as John says "but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is." I John 3:2. Remember we are called to be overcomers and not settle for just average Christian life and the goal of Christian life is to be Christ like in this world so that we will be like Him in the coming life as well.
If you have this mindset and if you are in communion with the Holy Spirit, then you will surely reach there. There is only one thing which could stop you from reaching the eternal glory and that one deceiving this is the desire of money. There are two examples, one in Old Testament and one in New Testament who were greatly regarded but had fallen from their positions. Most of you would have guessed the New Testament example who is the famous example of Judas Iscariot who lost his position because of the desire for just 30 silver pieces. But, it is difficult to guess the OT example. The perfect example is Balaam, the prophet who had a great vision and revelation. In Numbers 24, he prophecied about Jesus and he also mentioned that his spiritual eyes were opened Numbers 24:3. This was a great gift that not even many great ministers of God had. But, even if his spiritual eyes were opened, his heart was on money so that he gave an evil counsel to Balak, the moabite king to make the daughters of moab to commit adultery with Israelites and made Israelites to eat and worship things that were offered to idols. Rev 2:14. His eyes were darkened as per Exodus 23:8, Deut 16:19. Finally, Balaam was killed in the battle by Israelites and he didn't die a death of righteous as he desired once. Numbers 23:10, 31:8. Peter and Jude quoted Balaam on a wrong note and Jude says that only blackness and darkness was kept for such people for ever. Why ? All because of love of money. Samson and David committed adultery but still they were recorded in faith giants in Hebrew 11. But, it is the love of money which is a slow but definite killer.
Keep yourself girded and walk in love, truth and after the Spirit. You will lead a true Christian life which is a born again life, having your soul regenerated every day with the Word of God. May you reap rich blessings in heaven. Let's give all glory, honor and praise to God the Father through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you now and forever. Amen.
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