Fight the Good Fight of Faith, English Edition

Lesson : The Excellence We Show • 

Scriptures were clear that we are to conduct ourselves in such a way that others can see that we represent God in what we do. We are called to live out our status as those who have been set apart for God’s purpose and use, as his own holy, thankful people. The young Christian couldn’t see how he could be like that, considering all the things that he had done, and the way he had previously lived. He was shocked that God would call him a “saint.” How is it possible that we are called “holy ones” when we have done the kinds of things we have done in the past? 3. “Being a Christian is like being a secret agent for the Kingdom of God!” Perhaps you have seen the spy movies where a secret agent representing a foreign nation penetrates a situation and serves the interests of his country. Or, you have followed the news and heard an ambassador speak about the views of his country on a particular issue, relating to others the perspectives and policies of his country. When s/he was speaking, they were representing the position of their nation, literally speaking as if the entire nation was present and giving its official view on that issue. How does the Bible’s use of the concept of ambassador help us to understand the role and duty of a Christian before their family, friends, associates, and neighbors, serving as the Lord’s agent and ambassador of the Kingdom? In the last session ( The Endowment We Receive ) you learned that when you were saved, God the Holy Spirit gave you a gift(s) to be used to build up the Body of Christ. Now you will explore more fully how God intends to use you in creative ways to represent him in the world as you fight the good fight of faith. Now that we have become the very children of God by faith in Jesus Christ (1 John 3.1-3), we are called to be like the Lord, to imitate God’s character, to act like him, and to love others as if he were living through us right here on earth. We are called “saints,” the very holy ones of God, made righteous through our faith in Christ, made holy and cleansed from sin by the blood of Jesus. God wills our sanctification (set apart for God’s possession and use), that in every aspect of our lives – our thoughts and attitudes, speech, conduct, and our relationships – we might show others that we belong to Christ, and that his Kingdom can be seen among us, in the church. We as believers in our various life contexts must assume the role of sainthood, and let the Holy Spirit, through time and discipline, form us into the very ones that the Father says we are. Each of us needs to learn how to control our own bodies in holiness and honor, for God did not invite us to a life of selfishness and lust, but to a new life that is both holy and beautiful – a life that glorifies him.

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