CONTINUE IN CHRIST - PART 5

FRIDAY 21 JUNE 2024

CONTINUE IN CHRIST - PART 5

Reference: 1st 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."

In continuation of how to practise righteousness, below are the remaining outstanding lists of the "know how"

7. Embrace the mind of Christ:

1st Corinthians 2:16 reads, "For, 'Who can know the LORD’s thoughts? Who knows enough to teach him?' But we understand these things, for we have the mind of Christ." To embrace the mind of Christ is to gain the accurate understanding of God's truth, not just to agree with it. If you don't embrace the mind of Christ, you can't practise righteousness effectually, meaning that you'll reduce your Christian walk to frivolous religious devotion based on human understanding. The Holy Spirit tremendously renews our minds as we yield our souls to be completely receptive to remarkable divine realities and wisdom from the Word.

8. Walk in the fear of God:

Solomonic inspiration based on Proverbs 9:10 reads, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (ESV). The fear of God is a Spirit. The Spirit behind it is known as the Holy Spirit. So the beginning of true wisdom starts with receiving and walking in step with the Holy Spirit, by being constantly filled with Him. It is the same Spirit that will guide you into the knowledge of God continually. Therefore to walk in the fear of God, which is a fuction of righteous practice, you should hugely embrace the ministry of the Holy Spirit in your life by responding to His leading in that realm of operation.

9. Walk in love:

In Ephesians 5:1-2 (ESV), Paul stated, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." When you walk in love, you are practising righteousness. What are the essential elements of love precepts? Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily upset; it keeps no record of wrongs. It is not self-absorbed.  Love doesn't tally wrongs or celebrate injustice; but truth—yes, truth—is love's delight! Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. And love never fails. Simply put, love should guide the course of your Christian walk, so that your faith does not appear to be a meaningless noise.

10. To avoid carnality, always be clothed with Christ:

Romans 8:6 reads, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace" (KJV). Now, to avoid carnally-inspired Christian life, Johannine literature numbered as 1st John 2:15-17 (ESV) reads: "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in Him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever." Loving the things of the world opposes the ways of the Spirit. However loving the things of the world does not mean developing hatred for people, but detesting the worldly desires and refraining entirely from participating in evil and ungodly practices.

 

Beloved, that man which is born of the flesh is flesh; he does not sustain the ability to function in righteousness, let alone practise it. Therefore to continue in Christ - the first step is to remind yourself of the law of God's likeness or image which you've inherited in Christ Jesus. The second step is to always act on the knowledge of righteousness I have listed in all the parts of this topic on a consistent basis, through the help of the Spirit. Although there is more to share concerning the mystery of practising righteousness, like walking in the light, exercising a God-like belief system, etc, I will stop at the points I've shared in this article due to capacity. Stay tuned for part 6. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Genesis 15:6; Psalm 23:3; Job 27:6; Psalm 36:10.

Guided Prayer:

Gracious Father in heaven, I thank you for the doctrine of righteousness, through grace and salvation that come by the glorious gospel of Christ, which is for all and sundry. It teaches to forsake sin, and to have nothing to do with it, because an earthly, sensual practices and ungodly conversations do not align with a heavenly calling. In practising righteousness, I make conscience of that which is good, thereby denying all ungodliness, corrupting influences, and worldly desires. By the enabling power of the Spirit, I live soberly, righteously, and godly, pleasing you in this present world, in Jesus' Name, Amen.