Written by REVELATIONS FOR TODAY by Pastor Michael Obata
Galatians 5:24 – New International Version (NIV)
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
GOD gave us HIS SPIRIT and HIS WORD that gives us the Grace and ability to live a godly life that pleases HIM. We have been given the Grace (ability) to conquer unrighteous cravings of the human nature. Romans 6:12-14 says, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.” The world is challenging, and it will get more challenging. The world system threatens the Christian way of life. We are more exposed to negativity and its temptation more than ever. What is bad is now accepted as good, and what is good is now called evil.
Now that we have been given a new life in Christ Jesus, let us, through meditation of the scriptures, prayer and fellowship with one another in the Body of Christ, crucify the sinful human nature with its passions and desires. It is impossible to do it with our own strength. It takes the Grace of GOD through HIS SPIRIT and HIS WORD. To be successful in this new life, we must consistently and fervently engage ourselves in prayer and meditation on the scriptures. The WORD of GOD is what strengthens our spirit man and, in turn, our will to do what is right and shun what is evil. The world controlled by the devil will always present challenging situations that will threaten this new life in Christ. However, greater is HE in us that he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). Let us be disciplined to follow the ways of the LORD, which is true repentance. Mark 1:14 -.and saying, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].”
If a Christian continues in unrighteous acts, the power of GOD will cease to function in them, and they become exposed to attacks of satan and his cohorts of darkness. When that happens, a child of GOD will start to experience challenges in their health, finances, relationships and so on. The system of the world will trample on them (Matthew 5:13). Let us put aside the cravings of our human nature that do not glorify GOD. GOD wants you to be like HIM. That is the whole point of being a Christian: to operate in the DIVINE NATURE. Let us therefore honour the LORD with all that is us – our body, soul and spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Then we shall begin to see the manifestation of HIS divine power at work in us. Let us be deeply rooted in the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge so that we can be filled with all the fullness of GOD that is able to build us and bring to manifestation our glorious inheritance in Christ.
Scripture meditation
Galatians 5:16-24, 2:20, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, 1 Timothy 4, Romans 6:6 & Romans 8.1.
Prayer
Glorious FATHER, thank You for the new life in Christ Jesus. FATHER, let your grace to live a holy life multiply in me and let my body continue to be a living temple for You to dwell always. In JESUS NAME.
Confession
I am a new creation in Christ Jesus; I am dead to the sinful nature of the flesh!