Dynamics of Christian Living?
By Pastor Paul Klusewicz
April 13, 2008

Are we hearers of the Word? Are we doers of the Word? Do we edify the Body of Christ? Do we stand on the absolute truth “All scripture is God breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness?” 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV) Do we give all the honor, praise and glory to the Lord? Do we see serving the Lord as an intense calling?

As Christians we need to remember the Devil is a “roaring Lion.” Also, he can masquerade as an “angel of light.” At this time in our country we see how many things speak of love, peace and faith-and these are things that lead us directly into the arms of Satan. As is often the case, Satan’s guise is often masked as an organization promoting what seems good and harmonious to us, but in reality is a “season of sin.” Any one of us can be deceived including great theologians, pastors, elders, church leaders and many, many Christians. How easy is it for us to wind up on the wrong path? Very easy!

We need to be diligent in our discernment of the things of this world-media, TV, computers, charismatic speakers. These items/people will try to neutralize you, compromise you and enlighten you exactly the way Satan wants and once a Christian is neutralized, the Devil can move on to the next person. As Americans we strive for tolerance and normal has an extremely wide range of connotations almost to the point that “anything goes.” However, Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6 (NIV).

As previously stated there are dangerous and demonic things out in the world. Often is the case that politicians and world leaders call for compromise. Should we as evangelical Christians be people who compromise? Should we always try to be inclusive? Are we evangelicals scary at times? Often we shout “Come to Jesus; Jesus is Lord; Sin is Sin” and this is good and godly, but always remember the true, absolute agenda of the Church is to lead men, women and children into a love relationship with Jesus Christ. People need to be set free in the Lord; people need to know God; people need to love God and love their neighbor too. How does this happen? The answer is a love relationship with Jesus Christ. And what is a big requirement for us? When we meet people we should mention Jesus. Yes, people may be offended, you may not be liked or accepted at the job or your civic or social club. You will come under scrutiny from others. You may even make mistakes or fail, But even with our mistakes and failures we can bring glory to God. There will be testimonies through our trials.

The Holy Spirit is with you and at work in you. The Holy Spirit gave you a spirit filled deposit at the time of your conversion. You are no longer carnal flesh and blood. You belong to the Lord-You are His! You have a responsibility to let God be shown in you. As John the Baptist said “He must increase, but I must decrease” John 3:30 KJV.

You are the Lords. You have a responsibility to let God be shown in you. We must deny ourselves; our pride; our way. We must allow God to take over our lives and we have the deep calling to put others first. Frequently our main problem is that we do and say what we want.

Also our logic states “I am a good person; I mow my grass; I take care of my house and my kids; I’m a good husband or wife; a good man or woman-Don’t I deserve to be saved.” These are all good things, but how does one get saved? The answer comes from Romans 10:9-10 (KJV):

"If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for from the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."

If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door ask Him to come into your heart and He will. In reality, a man on death row can be saved, and it has occurred; one of the men who hung next to Jesus on the cross received salvation right then and there.

Always know that God is in charge and His mercy extends to us constantly. Discouragement is the Devil’s tool. Don’t allow despair or discouragement to sink into your heart or your mind, but continually surrender to the Lord. And please remember God starts with small things; small things become large in God’s economy. Little things become big things.
Zechariah 4:10 (NKJV) “For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the LORD, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

Never underestimate the value of small things. Small tasks are important; small contributions are important. Matthew 10:42 (NIV) “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."
Matthew 25:34-40 (NIV)

"Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” "Then the righteous will answer him, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you? The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

We are being called for Jesus Christ and by the power and strength of the Holy Spirit we will be aggressive for God. Luke 10:19 (KJV) “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”

Through God we will be able to knock down the walls, the bars, and the prisons in people’s lives. Through the power of the Spirit we will be able to tear down spiritual strongholds that keep people in bondage. Through Jesus we will be able to minister to the broken hearted, the hurting, the emotionally distraught leading them to the restoration power of Jesus Christ. You should want to continually serve the Lord, dwell in His word and prayerfully seek Him with all your “heart, mind and soul.” At times we will be in spiritual warfare and there will be resistance. Even when you do all the right things, there still may be havoc because of the Devil, the world and people. The battle can be intense at time; the enemy has schemes to come against you. We must “be strong in the Lord, in His mighty power.” We live in the power of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and we have the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. Let’s recognize God’s power in our lives. Let’s stop focusing on ourselves and our problems. Let’s boast in the Lord and know that our strength comes from God and God alone. Philippians 4:13 (NASB) “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” 1 John 4:4 (KJB) “Greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.” Focus on your abilities and your availability; God has made you able!

Stand firm in the Lord! Stand on the promises of God! March forward as Christian soldiers for the Lord! The battles we face at times are not a “tiptoe through the tulips”. We are engaged for the Lord in the battle and we stand for the Lord until the end. No matter what we or the people around us are going through God’s “light is at the end of the tunnel.” We persevere, push through and press on and take our stand against the “devil’s schemes.” These schemes can come from anywhere-from husbands, wives, church members, church side issues such as the color of the rugs, drapes or walls. In fact, the more we reach for Christ the more the devil will come at us.

In “our struggle” the Body of Christ is so important and in particular strength will always come when there is unity within your church body. Unity is so important. Division can lead to resentment and cause havoc in the church. Division can destroy people’s homes; keep people out of prayer; block us from the important gatherings of people coming together for church and prayer meetings; and prevent us from going to bible studies. If you’re living for yourself and serving yourself the devil’s work is already done and he will leave you alone. When you are serving the Lord and seeking the Lord you will tend to get hit by the devil, but just keep coming to Christ, coming to Church, to worship, and to prayer-both individually and corporately.

The excuses must stop. Sometimes we wonder why our life is a mess. The answer is easy! You need to seek God first. And your life will absolutely change. You need to stand your ground and do everything you can by the power of Jesus Christ. And after you’ve done all that you can take an aggressive stance in the Lord and “wear the belt of truth.” Call upon the name of the Lord and know by “grace we are saved.” Stand by the truth for “the truth shall set you free.” Don’t let emotions guide you; let the Lord lead you. You are a righteous man! You are a righteous woman! You are a saint! Wear the Gospel of Jesus Christ; learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ and share the Gospel of Jesus with the people the Lord sends your way. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news” Romans 10:15 (NIV). “Take up the shield of faith” and believe all the time; trust all the time and you will “extinguish all the arrows of the enemy.”

We are saved by faith and faith produces action. Trust and rely on the Lord in all circumstances and situations. Know who you are in Christ “and we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 (NASB). Wear your “helmet” and use your “sword” which is the Word of God. Scripture is our chief tool. When temptation, doubt and people come against you, go to the Word of God and use it correctly. Pray in the Spirit on all occasions. Be alert! Keep praying every day! Go to your prayer closet; the church moves on its knees. Keep the flame of the Holy Spirit going in your heart. Say yes to God! "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2 (NIV). Be a warrior and a soldier for Jesus Christ! And when the day comes to stand before the Lord, He will say “Well done good and faithful servant” Matthew 25:23 (NIV).