Encouraged for the Good Fight

Words to show that the Christian walk is a stuggle come to light in 1 Timothy 6:12 where we are exhorted to "[f]ight the good fight of faith...". There are so many distractions in society vying for our attention that we must fight to remain focused on our belief in Jesus Christ who died on the cross for our sins so that we can "...lay hold on eternal life..." (1 Timothy 6:12). That is eternal life in heaven.

Keep Your Footing Along the Path

Along with the Christian walk comes suffering and affliction. Jesus' steps are difficult to follow. This is why we cannot go it alone and must rely on Jesus' help. Following are words from Psalms 17:5 to utter for help along the way: "Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not." Amen!

We Should Walk in Christ's Steps

1 Peter 2:21-25 (KJV)

21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:

23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered he thereatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

New Year Christian Progress

Paul gives good advice for the New Year and always in Philippians 3:13,14. Paul does not count himself perfect, but he forgets "...those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.." and "...[presses] toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Similar to Paul, we, as Christians, are not perfect, but we hope to become more Christlike in our walk! Amen!

Spiritual Mind Brings Peace to Struggle

For believers in Jesus, there is an inward struggle. The believer wills to do good or follow God's commandments, but similar to Paul tends not to do good. In Romans 7:18,19, Paul says "...for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." Paul continues and discovers deliverance in Jesus Christ (Romans 7:24,25). Freedom from sin and death is found through the 'Spirit of life in Jesus Christ' (Romans 8:2). Thus, life and peace is found through becoming spiritually minded (Romans 8:6). In trusting God and keeping our mind on Him, we will be kept in perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).

Loving God Works for Good to Us

In the blog entry dated for 01/01/11, we learned that the idea of "anything goes" in Christianity comes to a stop where the line of love is drawn. This line is to love Jesus. To love Jesus is to keep His Words (John 14:23). To love Jesus is to love God for Jesus is in the Father and the Father is in Jesus (John 14:11). "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). With this verse, we know that if we love God and follow His will, good is going to come out of all things going on in our life.

The Line is Drawn at Love

At times in Christianity it can be easy to fall into the thinking that "anything goes." If anything does not go, then where is the line? The line is drawn at love. The fact is that anything does not go. Jesus says, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me" (John 14:23,24).

Prayer: Jesus, I pray, help me this new year to show my love for You through following Your commandments. Amen!