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'Christ in You...'
by Dale Krebbs
The question often arises in the heart and mind of someone who has recently believed in Jesus Christ as their Savior - now what?
What is Jesus' will for me, now that I have surrendered my life to Him?" Do I just bask in the comfort zone of assurance that the Holy Spirit produces in my heart? Is there a next?
The Apostle Paul gives a very simple and specific instruction as to what is next.
This is perhaps one of the most specific and encouraging few verses in all the Bible.
His advice is easy to outline and to understand - and remember, and make a part of our very being. There is little room for interpretation, guessing, or manipulation. It is strait-forward and clear. And very, very hope filled, full of joyful expectation and overall encouragement.
These scriptures can be broken down into 5 (or some other number) simple guidelines to how to live your Christian life for as long as you live. He begins with perhaps the number one exciting and desirable attitude - one that all of us desire at all times and seasons - happiness.
I have numbered them to help in remembering and thereby living by them:
1. "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly];
2. Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]. Do not quench (suppress or subdue) the [Holy] Spirit;
3. Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets [do not depreciate prophetic revelations nor despise inspired instruction or exhortation or warning]. But test and prove all things [until you can recognize] what is good; [to that] hold fast.
4. Abstain from evil [shrink from it and keep aloof from it] in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [separate you from profane things, make you pure and wholly consecrated to God]; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved sound and complete [and found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
5. Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]." - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (AMP)
One can elaborate almost endlessly regarding each of these, because they sum up the Christian life in all its aspects. They defend against discouragement, fears, and crush hopelessness if meditated upon constantly every day, ponder them as you retire at night, and arise in the morning. They address every element of what we call life, with its disappointments and failures as Christians. They increase our faith, and fight against doubts that lead to spiritual lukewarmness and complacency.
If you will allow him, Paul's words can guard your heart and mind from falling away from your choosing by God for inherit life.
"Because of this, brethren, be all the more solicitous and eager to make sure (to ratify, to strengthen, to make steadfast) your calling and election; for if you do this, you will never stumble or fall. Thus there will be richly and abundantly provided for you entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:10-11
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