DAILY WALK AS A CHILD OF GOD Part 3

8 3 12 Daily Walk as a Child of God Part 3

DON’T FORGET TO PRAY!

Yesterday is in the past. Today is the present. It’s in the present that we write our past. Tomorrow how do you want your past to reflect your walk of faith? Did you walk as a child of God?

Your Daily Walk as a Child of God should be based on:
1. “The right kind of belief in Jesus Christ.”
2. “Walking in the newness of life. You are a “new creation” forget the past, the “old you” is dead.”
3. “A continual process of examining yourself in light of your faith position in Christ.”

SCRIPTURE: 2 Corinthians 13:5 (NIV) Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Cor 6:1-2 As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

NOTE: In our text today the apostle Paul urges the Corinthians to examine themselves to make sure they are in the faith. He said something very similar to this earlier in his letter to the Corinthians, chapter 6:1-2 where he urges them to “not receive God’s grace in vain.” He is talking about the same thing in both of our texts.

On occasion we go to the doctor for a checkup. This is done to insure that our physical health is okay and if not, steps can be taken to take care of any problems.
Paul urges us as believers to do the same thing in regard to our spiritual health. We should give ourselves a spiritual checkup to see if anything needs correcting. If we find we are falling short of God’s benchmarks as revealed in Scripture we need to take steps to correct the problem.

One of the main things I should always ask myself is whether or not I am showing continual growth and an awareness of Christ’s presence and power in my life?  Is the Holy Spirit actively involved in my walk of faith? One of the visible signs that the Holy Spirit is actively involved in my life is that I continue to read and study the Word God and the love I have for God and for his Son, Jesus Christ grows stronger each day. If I test my faith and discover that instead of drawing closer and closer to God I am actually growing further and further away I obviously have a problem.

As I examine myself I should question the motives behind why I do what I do. Am I doing what I’m doing to exalt self or to exalt Christ? How do I view my salvation? Do I see my salvation as a direct result of my goodness, my abilities, the work that I am doing for God? Or do I see my salvation as a work of grace; the results of God’s love for me, a sinner, but available to all who call upon his name. A gift given that is undeserved, given purely and simply by him to me because he loves me.

My self-examination is important. If it reveals I have a life-threatening spiritual problem I need to give it immediate attention. Spiritual sickness is always a result of sin and if untreated will result in death. The prescription that God makes available to all who are sick from sin is found in 1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” God’s prescription for sinfulness has a 100% cure rate. All I need to do is ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to me anything in me that needs to change. He will gently and lovingly reveal to me what needs changing and guide me in doing it.

For me to “walk daily as a Child of God” I must constantly examine myself and make sure that I am the genuine article: a blood bought, forgiven, redeemed, born again child of the King. This knowledge can be mine if I will regularly submit myself to a spiritual examination performed by the Holy Spirit. When we are in good spiritual health we are enabled to strive for faithfulness, to strive for the power necessary to live a righteous and godly life.

Word from the Lord: “Beloved trust in Me with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Me, and I will make your paths straight. Don’t attempt to be wise in your own eyes, rather see the world as I see it and understand how deeply I hate evil. Having this understanding will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. You are my dearly loved child. Your heart is mine. Now rejoice and be glad!”

Did the Lord speak to you today?  Why not write it down and claim it for His Glory.

Prayer:  What do you need to pray to the Lord today? Listen to your heart. He loves you!