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CONTINUE IN CHRIST - PART 3
WEDNESDAY 19 JUNE 2024
To continue in Christ is a means of entering into the higher and awesome realm of God's boundless grace and love. And we can only thrive in laying hold of the full privileges of the finished work of Christ, if we continue in Christ. However it takes FAITH, RIGHTEOUSNESS and BOLDNESS of the Spirit to persevere in the Lord. More below!

Reference: 1 John 2:28-29 English Standard Version (ESV)
"And now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears we may have confidence and not shrink from Him in shame at his coming. If you know that He is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of Him."
To remain in fellowship with Christ, we must always practise righteousness because Christ Himself is the concrete personification of righteousness. If we shall be manifested in boldness of attitude when He appears, then upholding the constant practice of righteousness is of paramount importance. To that effect, Johannine literature in accordance with 1st John 4:17 reads, "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world" (NLT).
Now pay apt attention, so as to gain a significant understanding of this truth: Every born again Christian was born with the ability to practise righteousness. This is because through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus took care of this corrupt nature, known as Adamic nature. He took it to the Cross along with the consequences and shame and put an end to it. To that effect, Pauline epistolary expression reads, "He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness]" (2 Corinthians 5:21 AMP).
Now that we have embraced the finished work of Christ, from the realm of His resurrection, we have incredibly become a caption known as "The righteousness of God." And to practise what we have become, God has given us His Spirit and His divine nature in Christ, because we have risen with Him and in Him! As Petrine epistolary dictates put it: God has made us become partakers of the divine nature. It literally says, "And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires" (2 Peter 1:4 NLT). To be honestly direct, we've been positioned to share His divine nature, which implies the removal of old Adamic nature, replaced with the God-kind of life. Got it? Now that you can afford to practise righteousness, what's next? Be empowered with the right knowledge or cognizance on how to do so!
How to practise righteousness:
1. Set your mind on things above:
Colossians 3:1-3 reads, "If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory" (NIV). In other words, practise constant expressions based on heavenly realities.
2. Live as one set apart for God's purpose:
Living to please God is a function of righteous practice. And to do so successfully, you must embrace the truth that you are set apart for His purpose on earth, and therefore, living a life of consecration entails aligning your thoughts and actions with His perfect will for your life. To that effect, Romans 12:2 reads, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (ESV).
Due to the capacity of this very article, the further list of the number of "know how" (practical knowledge of righteousness), as mentioned above, will continue in the successive parts of this topic. Dearly beloved, to be a skilled "righteousness" practitioner is nothing less than activating all the powers of your soul to be constantly awakened to actioning God's will and purpose for your life in this present world. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!
Scripture Reading - Leviticus 20:26; John 17:16-19; Ephesians 1:4-5; Hebrews 5:13.
Guided Prayer:
Thank you my precious heavenly Father for providing me with deeper insight into the physical practice of righteousness, which contains a treasure trove of uncommon knowledge that empowers me to live my life in this present world, in every way that pleases you and brings glory to your Holy name, in Jesus' Name, Amen!



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