Beloved, I am glad to share with you today on an important topic, that of the spiritual life.
As a matter of fact, it is supported by the Word of God, because it is written in Deuteronomy 8.3 ” He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. “
But how to have spiritual life?
- First I have to choose it: Deuteronomy 30.19-20 “19 This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
- Then you should listen to the word of God : Acts 16.14 “ One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message.”
Romans 10.17 “ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
- We must be called by God: 2 Thessalonians 2 13-14 “13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
- Repent from your sins : Acts 2.38 “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
- We should believe in Jesus: John 3: 15-16 15 “that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.” 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 20:31 “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
A spiritual life is therefore essentially based on listening and closeness to God, as the prophet Isaiah says in Isaiah 55.3: “Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David.”
For the Lord God did not want His only begotten Son, who accepted to come into the world to take upon himself the sins of men, to remain among the dead : Acts 13.34: ” God raised him from the dead so that he will never be subject to decay. As God has said, “ ‘I will give you the holy and sure blessings promised to David.’ “
That’s why anyone who believes in Jesus, even if he dies, will have eternal life, as written in John 5.24: “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. ” Similarly, by believing that he is the Son of God, he will have life in his name. We read this in John 20:31, ” But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
Thus, all those who are alive in Christ should see themselves as dead to sin, for the Bible says in Romans 6:11, ” In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” In Romans 8:10 it is also written, “But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness.” So there is no life and justice without the spirit. And the death for Jesus’ sake is also manifested in our flesh, as written in 2 Cor 4.11: ” For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”
Moreover, the love of Christ urges us, because we believe that if only one is dead for all, all are dead; and that he died for all, so that those who live, no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose for them.
That’s why we can read this in Galatians 2:20: ” I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” That’s also why Christ is our life, as written in Philippians. 1.21 : ” For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Hence the preaching of the Gospel to the dead as written in 1 Peter 4.6: ” For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.”
Finally, we have moved from death to life through Christ our Savior. This is said by Apostle John who tells us in 1 John 3:14: ” We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.” Let us therefore remain close to the Lord Jesus in fraternal love and obedience to his will. Our prayers strengthen you all in this regard.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite anyone who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me as follows :
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I acknowledge that I have sinned against you and ask forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as my Lord and personal Savior. I acknowledge that you died on the cross of Calvary and that you rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me each day to eternal life you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal to me and strengthen my heart and my faith so that your light may shine in my life right now.
Thank you, Lord Jesus, for accepting me in your divine family so that I too can contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby waterpoint to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
To you all adoration, power, and glory, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to revert on your queries and comments as necessary, before sharing with you next week on the resistance to temptation.
May the Almighty Lord God bless you in abundance.
David Feze, Servant of the Lord of hosts.