HOW TO LIVE A VICTORIOUS CHRISTIAN LIFE
Rev Mike Jones,
1 Pet 4:1‑2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the
flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in
the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his
time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
"Ceased from sin", how great that sounds to the committed Christian! "No
longer to live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but doing
the will of God". This is the kind
of Victorious Christian life that every Christian should desire and determine to
obtain.
Sadly, Many Christians live a life of "quite desperation" as they are
daily defeated by the world, the flesh, and the devil. May God help us to
understand how we can have the mind of Christ so we can cease from sin and live
our lives in the will of God.
One of the best scripture passages to help us learn how to live a
Victorious Christian Life is-
Eph 4:22‑24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old
man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the
spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness.
1) Kill the Canaanites- "Put off
concerning the former way of life the old man" When the Children of Israel
entered the Promised Land they were told to "Kill the Canaanites"; every man,
woman, and child was to be slain. That is the way it must be in our Christian
life- Show no mercy to sin. Destroy it in any form it comes at you- in manly
strength, in womanly lust, or in childlike desire. (Jesus called this "Denying
yourself and taking up your cross daily".
This does not mean you become a "monk" in a secluded world. Learn to live
in the world but do not allow the world to live in you! The boat is supposed to
be in the water but the water is dangerous when it gets in the boat.
2) Change your Habits- "be renewed in
the spirit of your mind". Control
your tongue, change your friends, altar your patterns, tame your thoughts.
Escape from the "box" Satan has built around you-
People drink alcohol in order to escape the pressures of life or in order
to enjoy the pleasures of life. When pressures or desires come you must learn to
let God show you how to find rest and enjoyment in a living relationship with
Him.
3) Celebrate Christianity-
"Put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness"
Find your part in the work of the Lord and produce fruit for God. Remove
the Briars and rocks. Plant a crop. Guard against surprise attacks. Determine to
live the Abundant Christian life; one in which you find more joy in God than you
do in serving evil- The prodigal son thought the "good" life was money,
partying, and friends but he woke up in a hog pen to find life was a lot better
at the Father’s house.
Enjoy the good things of God and live a victorious Christian life but remember how serious sin real is--Eccl 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.