I will prepare myself to Represent Jesus Christ
1 John 2:29 NKJV — If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.
When people see me live a righteous life, God is honored through my actions.
And the Lord gives us the ability to die to our flesh and walk in righteousness.
Romans 6:6 NKJV — knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.
It begins and ends with what you think.
The world has it backwards.
They say you have to do good works to get right with God.
When the truth actually is: that we do good works because we are right with God.
Belief drives your values, which drive your behavior.
Truth, (which comes only from God) must lead you.
Allowing emotion to lead, results in being double-minded.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8 NKJV
Thus, to apply the truth and follow His commands is walking daily in the new creation given by God at salvation.
God created us, then saved us from our sins, and brought us into His family.
With that comes a new way of living, a new perspective, and a new future.
1 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,
It doesn’t happen over night, just like a newborn doesn’t have many abilities at birth.
Rather, it’s a journey of learning God’s Word, applying it to our day-to-day, and being guided by the Holy Spirit, realizing our actions can quench His leadership in our lives if we choose to walk in the lusts of the flesh instead of the truth of Christ.
Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV — that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another. “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Ephesians 4:25-30 NKJV
My choice is to live a life which is pure.
Are you setting your mind on things above or things of this earth?
Do you practice righteousness, service to God and others?
Are you confident that you will hear: “Well done good and faithful servant”?
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
I John 3:1-3 NKJV
Are you preparing to meet Jesus?
I hope so.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your truth and the clear guidance You give us. Thank You for salvation and Your compassion. Thank You for understanding us better than we do and revealing so much to us. Lord, I’m so thankful that this is a journey which You walk with me each day. I’m so blessed to be able to look to Your Word for the renewing of my mind and the transforming of my attitudes and actions. Lord, please let my life be a reflection of You. Thank You! Amen.
This post is based upon the sermon notes from our Pastor, Rod Wilgus, and if you want to hear the sermon it is on our YouTube page: Elkton Bible Baptist Church.
patientlyhopeful 