Christian Fellowship Community Group
A safe place for Christians who Love Jesus Christ to meet and ask for prayer and share scriptures from the bible. We value the posting of Christian music, poems, stories and also personal testimonies. Please let us know your needs, concerns and have some fun getting to know each other. We treat each other with respect.
WHAT IS THE NORMAL CHRISTIAN LIFE ?
What is the normal Christian life? It is something very different from the life of the average Christian. Indeed a consideration of the written Word of God - of the Sermon on the Mount for example - should lead us to ask whether such a life has ever in fact been lived upon the earth, except only by the Son of God Himself. But in this exception lies immediately the answer to the question. The Apostle Paul gives us his own definition of the Christian life in Galatians 2.20. "It is no longer I, but Christ". Here he is not stating something special or peculiar - a high level of Christianity. He is, we believe, presenting God's normal for a Christian, which can be summarised in the words: "I live no longer, but Christ lives His life in me".
God makes it quite clear in His Word that He has only one answer to every human need - His Son, Jesus Christ. In all His dealings with us He works by taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God died instead of us for our forgiveness, He lives instead of us for our deliverance. So we can speak of two substitutions - a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures victory. It will help us greatly, and save us form much confusion, if we keep constantly before us this fact, that God will answer all our questions in one way only, namely by showing us more of His Son. (by Watchman Nee)
IS IT NORMAL FOR A CHRISTIAN TO SIN ?
It is said that there always exists the possibility at every step of our development to make the experience of Roman 7 again. It is certainly possible. It is even possible to fall back into serious sin, BUT IT IS NOT NORMAL. To entertain such notions can only do more harm than good.
Our walk in sanctification can be compared to the walk of Peter on water. Should we have said to him?: "Dear Peter, don't forget, it is possible for you to sink at any moment, and also don't forget, there are dark powers around for you to battle - storms draw near. But of course, don't forget to fix you eyes on Jesus" and so forth.
What would the Lord say to such a sermon?
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" (Phil. 313) was the method of Paul. He neither looked at the deep at his feet, nor at the storm, threatening to draw near. But when Peter saw the storm, he got frightened and began to sink, for he could not keep his eyes on both, the Lord and the storm at the same time. In any case, the method of Paul is the only right one, hence he recommended to his disciples: "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." (Phil. 3.15)
(by M. von Brasch)
What is the normal Christian life? It is something very different from the life of the average Christian. Indeed a consideration of the written Word of God - of the Sermon on the Mount for example - should lead us to ask whether such a life has ever in fact been lived upon the earth, except only by the Son of God Himself. But in this exception lies immediately the answer to the question. The Apostle Paul gives us his own definition of the Christian life in Galatians 2.20. "It is no longer I, but Christ". Here he is not stating something special or peculiar - a high level of Christianity. He is, we believe, presenting God's normal for a Christian, which can be summarised in the words: "I live no longer, but Christ lives His life in me".
God makes it quite clear in His Word that He has only one answer to every human need - His Son, Jesus Christ. In all His dealings with us He works by taking us out of the way and substituting Christ in our place. The Son of God died instead of us for our forgiveness, He lives instead of us for our deliverance. So we can speak of two substitutions - a Substitute on the Cross who secures our forgiveness and a Substitute within who secures victory. It will help us greatly, and save us form much confusion, if we keep constantly before us this fact, that God will answer all our questions in one way only, namely by showing us more of His Son. (by Watchman Nee)
IS IT NORMAL FOR A CHRISTIAN TO SIN ?
It is said that there always exists the possibility at every step of our development to make the experience of Roman 7 again. It is certainly possible. It is even possible to fall back into serious sin, BUT IT IS NOT NORMAL. To entertain such notions can only do more harm than good.
Our walk in sanctification can be compared to the walk of Peter on water. Should we have said to him?: "Dear Peter, don't forget, it is possible for you to sink at any moment, and also don't forget, there are dark powers around for you to battle - storms draw near. But of course, don't forget to fix you eyes on Jesus" and so forth.
What would the Lord say to such a sermon?
"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead" (Phil. 313) was the method of Paul. He neither looked at the deep at his feet, nor at the storm, threatening to draw near. But when Peter saw the storm, he got frightened and began to sink, for he could not keep his eyes on both, the Lord and the storm at the same time. In any case, the method of Paul is the only right one, hence he recommended to his disciples: "All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." (Phil. 3.15)
(by M. von Brasch)
" Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is." 1 John 3:2
"And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 2 Cor. 3:18
Notice how the above verse says "being transformed" That is in the present, indicative passive in Greek. It means it is going on right now, and it is God who does it to us. It will not be accomplished till we see Christ face to face.
"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Cor. 13:12
But if we want any of God's glory for ourselves, we will miserable fail in our effort to live a sinless live. However, if we seek the glory that comes form God, we will through the faith of the indwelling Christ become overcomers of sin, death and the devil.
When Paul said in Gal 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.” He is saying, in order to have spiritual victory, he had to be "crucified with Christ" and let go of the right to live his life the way he saw fit. We don't have the power to be a holy person in our own strength, but once we surrender to Jesus and live by faith like Paul we find the power to live a righteous, confident and joyful life. These spiritual principles that gave him success are no different for us today. If we are doing something wrong or sinning, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts us (John 16:8). We still have the choice of free will to either listen and obey or go off on our own way.
I feel compelled to post the following here. It's not directed at any member here in particular. Maybe someone passing through can benefit from reading it.
From In Touch Ministries (Dr. Stanley)
If you feel compelled to let Christ live through you, pray the following:
1. Confess your inadequacy. Acknowledge that you have tried to be a godly person but feel spiritually frustrated or defeated.
2. Acknowledge that Christ is sufficient. Since He is God, He can give you wisdom for every decision and strength to overcome temptation and adversity.
3. Abandon your life to Him. You must give Him permission to live His life through you. Let go of your own efforts to “be good enough” or “do enough” to please Him.
4. Confess it to be true. Say out loud, “Jesus, please live through me. I yield myself to Your will. Help me remember that I am now dead to sin and alive in You.” This is not a one-time commitment; you will probably have to surrender multiple times in your life. When you fail, be reminded that you cannot live a holy life apart from the Lord’s power.
Name a specific situation in which you need God’s help to react righteously and wisely, and then commit it to the Lord in prayer.
Closing: God does not call you to endure a tolerable Christian life—He wants it to be extraordinary. Experience the life He has planned for you—yield control of your life to Him, and stop trying to be righteous in your own strength. Trust Jesus to live through you. By guiding and empowering you, He will take care of all your troubles.
Prayer: If you did not already do so, pray through the steps above. Even if you made a similar commitment in a previous season of life, it can be helpful to reaffirm your reliance on Christ’s power for daily living.