I learned this some years ago from my mentor, Robert D. Brinsmead. It is all according to the Bible and what the apostle Paul wrote. Brinsmead is a lay theologian and a Christian scholar. For about 20 years he published a world wide publication called "Verdict." The motto for Verdict was, "The Gospel Plus Nothing and Nothing but the Gospel." Brinsmead is now retired and resides in Australia.
Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, 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 for me" Galatians 2:20.
There is a Christian life that we must live. The reason that God does not take us to heaven the moment that we become Christians is because we are to be witnesses for Christ and his Gospel here on this earth. That is the Christians purpose in life. We are no longer called to become holy by the works of the law, which is religion. We are called to be witnesses for Christ and his Gospel so that others will come to know Christ as their savior as we do. You cannot be an effective witness for Christ if you are living like the devil.
The Christian life is the highest life that one can live. Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth" Matthew 5:13. "You are the light of the world" Matthew 5:14. If it wasn't for Christians life on this planet would be unbearable.
Paul said, "If you have been risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God" Colossians 3:1-3.
Here is where Paul is calling us to live by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh. "Set your affections on things above" The things that are above are Christ and his Gospel. We live and have our being in Christ and his Gospel. In the Gospel, we have been justified, sanctified and redeemed, 1 Corinthians 1:30. Brinsmead use to say, "If you are now perfect and complete in Christ, then act like it". If you have been risen with Christ and your life is hid with Christ in God and you sincerely believe that, then that should help you to live a higher more spiritual life.
Robert Brinsmead said, "Play your position." What is our position? Our position is that we are perfect and complete in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10. Now, act like it. If one does not believe the Gospel then this article will not help you. This article is for Gospel believers only. If you do not believe that you are perfect and complete "In Christ." then the only thing left for you is the law and religion, which is a DIY yourself holiness that will result in your condemnation.
Living by faith, "The Just Shall Live By Faith" Romans 1:17, is living by the Holy Spirit. Living by the Spirit is living in the Gospel. It is not living by laws, rules or religion. living by rules, laws and religion is living by the flesh and has nothing to do with living by the Spirit. Religion is of the flesh. Religion is a preoccupation with ones self. Living by the Spirit is a preoccupation with Christ and his Gospel.
Paul wrote, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, 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 for me" Galatians 2:20.
There is a Christian life that we must live. The reason that God does not take us to heaven the moment that we become Christians is because we are to be witnesses for Christ and his Gospel here on this earth. That is the Christians purpose in life. We are no longer called to become holy by the works of the law, which is religion. We are called to be witnesses for Christ and his Gospel so that others will come to know Christ as their savior as we do. You cannot be an effective witness for Christ if you are living like the devil.
The Christian life is the highest life that one can live. Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth" Matthew 5:13. "You are the light of the world" Matthew 5:14. If it wasn't for Christians life on this planet would be unbearable.
Paul said, "If you have been risen with Christ seek those things which are above, where Christ sits at the right hand of God. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth. For you are dead and your life is hid with Christ in God" Colossians 3:1-3.
Here is where Paul is calling us to live by the Holy Spirit and not by the flesh. "Set your affections on things above" The things that are above are Christ and his Gospel. We live and have our being in Christ and his Gospel. In the Gospel, we have been justified, sanctified and redeemed, 1 Corinthians 1:30. Brinsmead use to say, "If you are now perfect and complete in Christ, then act like it". If you have been risen with Christ and your life is hid with Christ in God and you sincerely believe that, then that should help you to live a higher more spiritual life.
Robert Brinsmead said, "Play your position." What is our position? Our position is that we are perfect and complete in Jesus Christ, Colossians 2:10. Now, act like it. If one does not believe the Gospel then this article will not help you. This article is for Gospel believers only. If you do not believe that you are perfect and complete "In Christ." then the only thing left for you is the law and religion, which is a DIY yourself holiness that will result in your condemnation.
Living by faith, "The Just Shall Live By Faith" Romans 1:17, is living by the Holy Spirit. Living by the Spirit is living in the Gospel. It is not living by laws, rules or religion. living by rules, laws and religion is living by the flesh and has nothing to do with living by the Spirit. Religion is of the flesh. Religion is a preoccupation with ones self. Living by the Spirit is a preoccupation with Christ and his Gospel.
