Persist In Prayers And The Word

Luke 18:1 (NKJV)

Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart

Emphasis Mine

In this verse, Jesus was talking to His disciples. Encouraging them to always pray. “Always” here will mean to be consistent and persistent. Meaning to always pray even when there is no tangible evidence of the results you expect and to pray even when it is uncomfortable.

Why should we be consistent and persistent in prayers? We should because we trust His character as a never changing Father and we have chosen to live in obedience to His instruction given in Luke 18:1. The bible also records in John 17, Jesus’ prayer to the Father.

Prayers keep us in perpetual fellowship with the Father. It is a two-way communication with our Daddy.  Through prayers, we receive instructions and directions for the next assignment for our lives. One who chooses to live godly must settle it within them that godliness will require total surrender and complete dependence on God Himself on how to navigate through life.

The Word of God provides the language we use in communication with the Father. When we pray, we get into agreement with the Father concerning His word. For example, the word of God tells us that in everything, we should give thanks. So, when we give thanks (or say thank you, Father, in our prayers), we are agreeing with Him according to His word. Amen.

It can be quite challenging to be consistent and persistent in prayers without knowledge of God’s Word. Through the word, we have access to the knowledge of His promises, we receive encouragements through some of the characters in scriptures and more.

Do not relent; Persist in prayers and the word.  because these are the two most important aspects guaranteed to equip you to live a godly life. Amen.

Continue In The Spirit

A decision to live godly is a decision to live a Spirit-led life. Meaning, as a believer, the Holy Spirit now dwells in you. We are told in John 4:24 that God is Spirit, so, it, therefore, His offspring are spirit beings as well. As an unbeliever, the Holy Spirit convicted you of sin and as a result, you received the message of your salvation and became born again.

Our emphasis is this, you began in the Spirit, so continue in the Spirit. Paul, writing to the Galatians said this,

Galatians 3:2-4 (NIV)

Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ.  How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Have you experienced so much for nothing? Surely it was not in vain, was it?

Always remember to tell yourself this truth “I began in the spirit; I will continue in the spirit”.

As already established, a godly life is a Spirit-led life, and your success in this new lifestyle of godliness is only guaranteed when you live as led by the Holy Spirit within you. Otherwise, you will wound up living in condemnation, depending on human effort to make changes in your life and more.

It is only by continuing in the Spirit that you can be guaranteed to enjoy blessings from the spirit such as the fruit of the spirit, the gifts of the spirit and more.

So, I encourage you to let go of human efforts, let go of the law, rather, continue in the spirit. Amen

Pursue Undivided Fellowship

As one who has decided to live godly, fellowship with the brethren is non-negotiable. In fellowship, we build healthy relationships and also learn how to reach out to others just like Jesus did. In fellowship, we learn from each other and grow spiritually to a place of maturity. When we fellowship, we are living in obedience to the word. Hebrews 10:25a encourages us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together.

In Galatians 2:12-13, a situation arose whereby Paul had to confront Peter because of what I will call a fellowship misconduct.

Galatians 2:12-13 (NLT)

When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision.  As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.

A little background on this story. In their days, Jews were circumcised and Gentiles were uncircumcised. In order for the Gentiles to fellowship with the Jews, they had to go through circumcision; all these were according to the law. Peter was an apostle to the Jews and Paul an apostle to the Gentiles (Galatians 2:8).

Peter (an apostle to the Jew) ate with (fellowshipped with) Gentile Christians (Christians because they are not under the law) but when Peter’s friends came, Peter stopped eating with the Gentile Christians because he was afraid of being criticized by people who believed in circumcision. So, as a result, Peter’s hypocritical action led others astray. Amen.

Our point of emphasis is this, pursue undivided fellowship. Fellowship with purpose and when you do, it will guide you and prevent division. When you fellowship with the brethren, encourage one another. When you find yourself in the midst of unbelievers, bring the message of salvation to them and anything else the Holy Spirit leads you to do. Be careful not to avoid unbelievers without giving them a chance to hear the message you have to bring. Do not be an eye-servant, if you do, you will lead many astray just like Peter did in this situation. Amen.

Know The Father And Live In Him

Knowing the Father is another step into living a godly lifestyle. It is impossible to be godly without knowing God Himself. One of the ways we get to know Him is by understanding what he expects from us.

1 John 2:3-5a

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.  But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. 

 Emphasis Mine

-        Obedience is key to living a godly lifestyle. It is a very necessary part of the kingdom lifestyle. I will dare to say that your increase in godliness is determined by your obedience to the Father.

-        Obedience to the Word is proof that we know the Father. (1 John 2:3).

-        Obedience is an expression of our love for the Father.

-        Obedience is proof that we have faith in His promises.

Scripture says;

1 John 2:5b (NIV)

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

Emphasis Mine

This statement is simply giving us a tool to do a personal evaluation. If at any given time you wonder whether or not you are living in God, ask yourself this question “Am I living as Jesus did?”

As a way of living in God, we must live as Jesus did. One statement that governed Jesus’ life here on earth is John 5:19 (NIV).

he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.

So, when you live as Jesus lived, you are living up to the standards of the Father. Amen.                                                                             

Have A Personal Testimony

John was one of the disciples of Jesus Christ and in writing the book of 1 John 1 you can sense his confidence as he talks about God the Father and Jesus Christ.

1 John 1:1 (AMP)

[I am writing about] what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life [the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ].

As one who desires to live a godly life or one who is living a godly lifestyle, how is your journey in the Lord so far? How is your journey in the kingdom so far?

Are you at a place where you can speak confidently like John did? Do you hear God for yourself? Do you see for yourself concerning the Word? Do you have tangible outcomes as a result of your new lifestyle? What is your testimony?

Personal testimonies of how the Word transformed or transforms you are very encouraging both to you and the listeners. It is a tangible evidence of what you have heard, what you have seen and what you are now experiencing.

As you desire to live godly, avail yourself to be transformed by Him, you will have a personal testimony to share with many just like John did and when he did, many joined him in fellowshipping with the Father. May your testimony cause others to join the kingdom because the purpose of a testimony is so that others hear the goodness of the Father and have fellowship with Him. Amen.

Add Value To Others And Build Others

When Jesus was on earth, amongst the many things that He did, He specialized in adding value to people’s lives and building them up. He healed the sick, raised the dead, He cast out demons, comforted the oppressed, encouraged the depressed, taught the word, provided food to the hungry, quenched the thirst of the thirsty, prayed for people, and more.

He purposefully added value to the lives of many and built the lives of people. Anyone who lives a godly life or seeks to live a godly life, adds value to the people around. You may say “I do not know what to do in order to add value and build up others”. Ask the Father to show you what to do. Begin with one person and before you know it, you will be reaching many.

Praying for others and reaching out to others by sharing the word with them are the two most accessible ways of adding value to their lives and building them up.

When you begin investing in the lives of others, you are consciously and actively activating the principle of seedtime and harvest and a time will come when you and the people you build will reap a good harvest. Amen.

A Vessel Of Honor

2 Timothy 2:20-21 (NKJV)

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

Emphasis Mine

In other, for a person to become a vessel of honor, he or she needs to take ownership of their cleansing. “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor,…”

A person who lives excellently is one who desires to be used by God and will do everything in their part to live up to par with the godly and approved standards.

Living as a vessel of honor is a lifestyle that glorifies God.

In order to be a vessel of honor cleanse yourself with the Word –You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. (John 15:3).

In order to be sanctified and useful for the Master – Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17).

Amen!

Keep The Faith

A person who lives an excellent lifestyle endures till the end. Is a consistent and persistent person. Is someone who is determined to stay focused despite the distractions.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 (NIV)

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Emphasis Mine

So much can be said about these scriptures. However, this is what we would focus on “I have kept the faith”. Keeping the faith is an expression of Godliness. Amen.

When someone chooses to keep the faith, it is an indication that they are being consistent and persistent. Consistent in that, at all times their believe and confession about the kingdom is unshaken. Persistent in that, even in the midst of persecution, discomfort, they will press through in order to get to the next level.

Paul took Christ at His word, He counted on what Christ said, He had confidence in His promises, Paul did what he ought to do despite the odds.

Paul could boldly state that “I have kept the faith” because, indeed, he did. He functioned on earth purposefully. His life is characterized as one who maximized every God-given opportunity to live for Christ alone. By living for Him and bringing others to the knowledge of Him.

One who keeps the faith is purposeful about staying in the Word of God.

One who keeps the faith is knowledgeable about the faith.

One who keeps the faith demonstrates a lifestyle that is proportional to the faith – an excellent lifestyle.

The Apostle Paul did, so can we. Amen!