3 THINGS WE MUST DO C0NTINUALLY
I teased my FB friends last night with this post, “there are at least 3 things that Christians are commended (commanded) to do CONTINUALLY, (and yet sadly not regularly preached about). Do you know what they are ? If you know tell me, this is my topic for my blog tomorrow”.
I received some interesting responses.
Watch, Abide, Pray
Pray, Preach, give Thanks
Take up the cross, Pray, Rejoice
Pray, Praise Preach
You will see, they were not to far away from what I want to write about. I used the word continuously because in 2 of the texts I will be using, it is written in the Greek, present continuous tense. Some churches because of their Theological roots will emphasise one of these things, but no church seems to major on all three, and yet, unless we major on all three, we will have defeated, unfulfilled hurting, and backslidden believers our churches. because of our sinful nature and lack of discipline, Christians need to be reminded regularly about these 3 essentials. I have written on these truths before and I am sure I will again.
1. Romans 12:1 (continually) Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service (and worship) NKJV
The only life worth living is one that is totally surrendered to Jesus (continually). He is not only our Saviour, but wants and needs to be the Lord of our life. Paul tells us in Romans 6:6 that our old nature IS crucified with Christ. The word crucified could be even better translated “rendered powerless” meaning that when we are laying on the altar in surrender, our old nature is not operating, unless we choose to roll off the altar and give our old nature power. We must seek to learn to live totally surrendered 24/7. That is why Paul says we must do it CONTINUALLY, constantly making the choice, “not my will but thy will be done”. Speaking personally, I need all the help I can get, I am so glad we have the glorious promise in James “We have not, because we ask not”. So every day, let me encourage you to re-affirm Jesus is the Lord of your life, and ask Him to “tie you down”, bind you to the altar with the cords of Calvary love. I can at least say the level of surrender has never been so high in my life, but I have a long way to go, but it is working.
2. Ephesians 5:18 Be (continually) filled with the Spirit. To many to be filled with the Spirit is a one off experience, here Paul is saying we must learn to be continually Spirit. filled This command is so closely related to the one above. When we crawl off the altar we are taking over an area/s of our life that the Holy Spirit should be controlling. So when you re-affirm Christ is the Lord of your life, the Holy Spirit wants to come back into into that area/s or areas you pushed Him out. I actually pray “Holy Spirit fill the House, let there be no area that you are not in control”. Then spend some time praising and worshipping the Lord.
3. 1 Thess. 5:18 In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Here Paul tells us IN EVERYTHING give thanks. Without exception, every situation, every painful experience, give thanks why ? Firstly, it is not giving thanks for all things, but maintaining a thankful heart, because God is sovereign, God is on control, everything that comes our way is with God’s permission, and he has permitted it for a purpose. So there is no room to hold unforgiveness and hurt in our hearts, these things can produce a “root of bitterness” that will rob us of our peace and joy. We will start fighting for our rights (Jesus is no longer Lord) we cease to be Spirit filled, and the enemy has won.
So, let me remind you that these 3 keys things are essential in our daily walk with the Lord. This again, is why discipleship is essential to see that these things become a lifestyle practice for us. Preachers, take every opportunity to remind the saints of these things.
You, may say, “I have heard all this before”, but are we doing it ? there is an old hymn that has these words in it. “Tell me the story often, for I forget so soon. Teaching is all about repetition, until the information becomes revelation, and continue to repeat it, until it is a permanent lifestyle practice. After almost 64 years a Christian I have still not fully learnt the lesson, let us pray for each other regularly so we fully obey these commands.
If I have said something new or different today, and it has blessed you, would you let me know please ?
