Good morning,
Happy New Year.
Many people make resolutions each year. Generally speaking, most are broken before January has expired. Sunday I preached a message on Spiritual Conduct. The Introduction began with a suggestion to dump the resolutions in place of OBEDIENCE to God’s word. Further I asked how many had even read the complete Bible. How can you be obedient to something you know nothing about? So, the challenge was to begin to read the Bible this year. Three chapters a day should do it.
This is an important message for all believers. God expects us to act in accordance to His word. I have printed the outline and references below. Please look up the references and ask God whether these are areas where work is needed. Then allow the Holy Spirit to convict and work.
Obedience to God and His word should be what we strive for in 2017.
1) SPIRITUAL BATTLE (EPHESIANS 6:10-12)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
2) SPIRITUAL MIND (PHILIPPIANS 2:1-3, 4:8-9) KEY VERSES 2 AND 8
If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
3) SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION (JAMES 3:1-18) KEY VERSES 10, 17-18
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
4) SPIRITUAL FRUIT (GALATIANS 5:22-3)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
5) SPIRITUAL CONDUCT (2 PETER 1:1-12) KEY VERSES 3-9
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
6) SPIRITUAL TRUST (PROVERBS 3:5-6)
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7) SPIRITUAL CLEANSING (1 JOHN 1:9)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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Remember, people are looking at you every day. Christians should be presenting themselves as the Scriptures above state.
Are we?
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001