Studies In Christianity

Christian Living #9 The War Within

Our current series of lessons is about the challenges of living the Christian lifestyle

With this lesson our intent is to concentrate on three things: 1. We come with an unrealistic self-image. 2. We come with unrealistic self-confidence. 3. We come with an unrealistic view of our potential.

unrealistic self-image. I. Most of us embark on our Christian walk with an unrealistic self-image.

This lack of a repentant heart is a major problem among Christians today.

Proverbs 21: 2 Every man's way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs the hearts. Jeremiah 17: 9 The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? 10 I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give to each man according to his ways, according to the results of his deeds.

Dennis Rader … BTK

If God could have viewed anyone as righteous He would not have sent Jesus as a sacrifice. Isaiah 64: 6 For all of us have become like one who is unclean, And all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment;

I Corinthians 6: 9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.

Ephesus 2: 1 And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, 2 in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. 3 Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.

Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

When you came to Christ the world may have viewed you as a “good ole boy”, but God viewed you as an enemy, as an object of wrath, and one awaiting a death sentence.

we place unrealistic confidence in ourselves. II. When becoming a Christians we place unrealistic confidence in ourselves. *I WILL lead a consecrated life.

Revelation 12: 10 Then I heard a loud voice in Heaven, saying “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night.

Ephesians 6: 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.

God removes guilt of sin, not the desire to sin, Galatians 5: 17 For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.

New life in old bodies

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, I John 3:4 Matthew 5: 48 You are to be perfect as your heavenly Father is Perfect. ( Heb. 4:15 )   Romans 3: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, I John 3:4 Everyone who practices sin, also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. 5: 17 – All unrighteousness is sin ...

Romans 13: 1-2 Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists authority has opposed the ordinance of God; and they who have opposed will receive condemnation upon themselves.

Romans 14: 14 I know and am convinced in the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean in itself; but to him who thinks anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. Vs. 23 – But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

I John 3: 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and we know that know murderer has eternal life abiding in him. Matthew 5: 27-28 You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery’ ; 28 but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

I Samuel 16: 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

James 4: 17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. Matthew 7: 21 Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.   

Ephesians 2: 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus For good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

unrealistic view of their potential. III. Christians too often have an unrealistic view of their potential.

God did not send His Son to die in vain God did not send His Son to die in vain. Jesus knew that He was dying to save sinners most of whom would refuse to submit to His Lordship.

Romans 5: 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Ephesians 4: 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

The change begins in the mind, in the the heart, and then progresses into life

Remember : He die for you. He rose from the tomb. He is coming again for you.

Are you a daily bible reader ? Are you on schedule for th year ? Great Job ! You are commended !