Often times it is a good idea to stop and think about exactly what is important. This occurs, at a minimum, in a business when the end of the year occurs. Management looks at the past year and determines what changes need to happen for the coming year. What is good for business is also good for learning institutions, churches, and just about anyone else involved with a leading a group of people.
When it comes to your living the Christian life, some sound advice needs to be put into daily living. John Gregory Mantle hits the nail on the head in regards to summarizing living victoriously for Christ: “There is a great difference between realizing, ‘On that cross He was crucified for me,’ and ‘On that cross I am crucified with Him.’ The one aspect gives us deliverance from sin’s condemnation, the other from sin’s power.”
Ever wondered why you are not growing in your Christian life? Or why you are not as much of a mature Christian as you would like? Paul in his letter to the Galatians gives you the remedy: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (2:20). Therein lies your solution to successful Christian living. It all boils down to not living your life the way you want to live it, but in laying that lifestyle aside and living according to Christ’s mandates.
So, the Christian life is obtainable and is a lifestyle that you can accomplish each moment of each day. How do you do that? By making the main thing the main thing with each minute of the day. That main thing is nothing more than consciously living according to the Scriptures, instead of living by your natural inclinations. Go put that main thing into your daily practice!
In order to see growth, you need to be consistent.
I really love John Gregory Mantle’s statement. Jesus’ death and resurrection has made us alive and free. If He didn’t do this, then we would be dead (in sin).