Sunday, April 11, 2021
Responsible Christianity
Colossians 1:9-14
Far too many
believers have lost their way in realizing the freedom and joy that Christ came
to bring. They are bound by laws,
traditions, doctrines and guilt. As we
come to the close of the series on Authentic Christianity, we now turn to the
key to living in freedom.
Where the
purpose of the BELIEVER is not clearly defined, the purpose of the CHURCH
is not clearly defined and religion replaces relationship with
Christ.
Early Christians
knew that they were saved “by grace through
faith”, but they did not know how to live in freedom from the
law.
What a shock
when we find that even after we are saved we cannot live the Christian
life in our own strength.
Our best
was not enough to get us saved, and our best will not be enough
to get us to victory.
We are not
encouraged anywhere in the Bible to resort to our best. There is
no evidence in the Scripture to be found that God expects anything of us but total
failure.
My salvation is
secured not by my imitation of Christ but by my participation in
Christ.
Man working for God is one thing. God working in man
is quite another.
Have You Made the Wonderful Discovery of the Spirit-Filled
Life? by Dr. Bill Bright
The Bible tells
us that there are three kinds of people.
1. Natural Person (Someone
who has not received Christ.)
1 Corinthians 2:14
2. Spiritual Person (One who is directed and empowered by the
Holy Spirit.) 1 Corinthians 2:15
3. Carnal Person (One who
has received Christ, but who lives in defeat) 1
Corinthians 3:1-3
Walking in the Spirit is a choice that can become a lifestyle. It is learning to depend upon the Holy Spirit for His abundant resources as a way of life.
How, then, can
one be filled with the Holy Spirit?
- Obey God’s Command.
Ephesians
5:18
- Claim God’s Promise.
1 John 5:14-15
Spiritual
breathing
- Exhale sin --
confess your sin. 1 John 1:9
- Inhale God --
receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit by faith. Romans 8:11
