A Carnal or Spiritual Life

 

A carnal person is too proud or fearful to trust God. They live by their own efforts and do not want to "bother" God. They live a roller coaster life, stressed out and weary, living a legalistic or an undisciplined life. They only open their Bible on Sunday, if then. When given a choice, they slide into sin, because it is easier than following God's way out (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Carnal people may have prayed for salvation, but they skip one important step...salvation means to repent of sin and to trust in God. They hide their sin and think no one will ever find out (Numbers 32:23). If they do not walk away from their sin and trust God, they are not Christians (1 John 2:3,3:6-9; Ephesians 5:5). They continue to practice sin and have no remorse for it.

The problem with living a carnal life is that we miss out on the abundant blessings of living a spirit-filled life. God loves us and planned every day of our life. He even wrote them down in His book before we were ever born (Ephesians 2:10; Psalm 139:16). Life is so much easier when we live it God's way. His Spirit directs our every move.

We can contrast the carnal lifestyle with that of a Spirit-filled Christian, who lays down carnality of any kind (Ephesians 5:18). They are so completely yielded to the Holy Spirit that He fills their spirit and soul with His presence (Romans 8:9). They believe in Christ and were sealed with the Holy Spirit, who is their guarantee of their inheritance with Christ of God's entire Kingdom (Ephesians 1:13-14).

They may grieve the Holy Spirit by some thought, word or deed, but they repent as soon as the Spirit convicts them; and they do not live a lifestyle of sin (Ephesians 4:30; 1 Thessalonians 5:19). They are true disciples of Christ and they glorify God with every part of their life (John 16:1-15). Due to their dedication, they reap a fulfilled life, overflowing with the fruit of God's Spirit and empowered by Him as well (John 15).

Prayer:

Father God, thank You for sending Your Spirit to rebirth our spirit and to fill our body, soul and spirit for eternity (John 1:12; Colossians 2:9, 10; John 14:16, 17). Remind us that His life flows in and through us and affects everything we think, do and say (John 7:37:39). Help us to glorify Jesus and to live as His disciple throughout our lifetime (John 16:1-15). Prompt us to obey Your Word, so Your Spirit can freely work in and through our life.

Thought for the Day:

God calls His Saints to live as witnesses for Him. - Acts 1:1-9

The Beauty of Holiness

What most people do not realize is that there is beauty in holiness (Psalm 29:2, 96:9). There are church denominations, which add to Biblical law and fence members of their congregation into a narrow, legalistic lifestyle, which is more rigid than God ever intended. 

The standard by which we judge our behavior is not by human dogma, activities or acceptance, but the Truth of God's Word.However, there is also a tendency today to skirt Biblical directives and to partake in sinful activities, which we justify in our own heart as harmless. 

When we flirt with the flesh, the world and Satan, we walk a fine line between God's Truth and Satan's lies. We compromise our character. By our thoughts, words and deeds, we tarnish the name of our Father God.

We even shut up the Kingdom of Heaven for some, because of our hypocritical lifestyle (Matthew 23:13-14). God is holy, and He dwells within us; therefore, He desires His habitation to be a place of holiness (1 Peter 1: 15-16). 

Before He even created the world, God planned for His Saints to live a holy, blameless life before Him, out of our love for Him (Ephesians 1:4, 2:10).Human beings are so self-centered that we cannot comprehend the fullness of life beyond the grave. 

We think that we have to experience all that life on this earth has to offer, because we only have one life to live. This is a lie straight from the pit of hell. Our earthly life is merely temporary (James 4:14). It is our life in God's eternal Kingdom that is our true life.

Prayer:

Father God, our sinful habits and our sinful lifestyle spit in Your face (1 Thessalonians 4:7). We focus on issues in this life, when that is not what You are really concerned about at all. Many people wonder what Your will is for them. Your will is more about our sanctification than our place of employment, brand of car or style of clothing (1 Thessalonians 4:3). 

Giving thanks for our lot in life is also Your will for us (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You actually put us in the neighborhood and occupation in which we can further Your Kingdom, and that should be our daily focus.

Thought for the Day:

God calls us to be a living testimony of the change His presence makes in our life and as examples of righteous living to the praise of His glory. - Ephesians 1:12