Our Solid Rock

 

Sometimes I feel like I am standing in quicksand on this earth. There is no solid footing around me, but just a sucking pit of decay. People in our neighborhood, workplace, the mall and the streets unleash the power of Satan into the world by living in sin. We reap the consequences of their sin, as well as our own (John 5:13). Sin gives Satan permission to work his evil, degradation and destruction in our life.

The antidote for this malaise is to walk away from sin and to live in holiness. God is faithful and He readily forgives a repentant heart (1 John 1:9). Righteous living releases the anointing of God in our life. It also prevents much of Satan’s influence in our world and his strongholds in our life. Christians may walk after the flesh in an occasional moment, but we do not walk in sin as a lifestyle (Galatians 5:16-25.)

Many people are under the false impression that sinners go to hell and good people go to heaven. In truth, authentic Born Again Believers go to heaven, and unbelievers condemn themselves to hell by their unbelief in the name of God’s one and only Son (John 3:18). Our eternal destination has nothing at all to do with our good works, but has everything to do with our total surrender to God.

We live a holy life because of our union with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We walk out of darkness and into the kingdom of light (Ephesians 5:8). The righteousness of Christ is our birthright as Born Again children of God. Christ is our whole life; a new life based on our relationship with Christ in us, our hope of eternal glory (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 1:27, 3:3-4). Christ lives in us, giving us a victorious life on this earth.

Prayer:

Father God, You are our safe place in a world that often frightens us. Christ is the solid Rock beneath our feet. He gives breathing room to our soul (Psalm 62:1-2). We no longer fear the quicksand of life, but we trust in Christ who is our impenetrable fortress. We lack no good thing in this life. We find our help and our glory in You. We trust You absolutely and we lay down our life for You all day long.

Thought for the Day:

Let God build your life on the sold Rock of Jesus Christ. - Mt. 7:24-27

Imitators of Christ

 

 

As authentic Believers in Jesus Christ, we lay our sinful, carnal, earthly life at Jesus’ feet and identify with His crucifixion and resurrection (Philippians 3:8). We find our righteousness by faith in Christ, rather than in self-effort (Philippians 3:9; Galatians 3:1-3). Over the weeks and years of our walk with Him, we stop travailing over our sinful state and realize that we are already dead in Christ and raised to walk in newness of a life in Him (Romans 6:4).

 

We are united in mind, character, creativity and vision with our Father, just as Jesus is one with us and with our Father (Ephesians 3:19). We walk, talk, think and pursue a totally different lifestyle now. We are imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1), who is our life (Colossians 3:4). We exalt Him with our thoughts, words and deeds (Ephesians 4:1). Jesus gives us His power and authority over sin and the world, because He dwells within us with all the power of the triune God (1 John 4:15; Colossians 2:9).

 

In the current age of technology, sin is easier to access than ever before. If we have the slightest inclination toward sinfulness, we will certainly find a multitude of outlets for it. However, technology also gives us a wealth of Biblical resources at our fingertips. Out ability to grow in the knowledge and wisdom of God exponentially increases with technology. We also have the opportunity to fellowship with other Christians from around the world from the comfort of our own home, and to share our walk with Christ.

 

God removes the very presence of sin from our life, because we are His Temple. He cannot dwell in the presence of sin (Psalm 5:4; 1 John 5:18). We will reign with Him as priests of God during the Millennium (Revelations 20:6). Entertaining sin in our life or cowering in the corner of our house without using our talents for God will reap for us God’s displeasure (Matthew 25:14-30). God will take our talents and give them to those who are more faithful to His call on their life.

 

Prayer:

Father God, walking down the wrong path in life will affect our place in eternity. We may taste of the spiritual aspects of life, which You provide for us; and then walk away as if they have no value to us. We may sell our birthright as Your children in exchange for the lusts of the flesh. Then, we will walk as apostates for the rest of our life on earth. Hell holds a special place for those who turn their back on You. However, we desire to live only for You, because You live within us (John 14:19).

 

Thought for the Day:

Follow the wisdom from above, cling to that which is good, do not live in hypocrisy and cleanse your ways according to God’s Word (James 3:17; Psalm 199:9).