Christianity 101: The new lifestyle

Having received a new life in CHRIST when we accepted CHRIST as our LORD and Savior, we find that GOD our Father desires and makes provisions for us to grow and develop characteristics that are like HIS and be changed to be increasingly like HIM in our thinking, attitudes and actions (1 Thessalonians 4:3). This process in a believer’s life may be termed Sanctification. Sanctification means to be set apart for special purpose or to be holy or sacred.

As a child of GOD you will not that the desire to live a CHRIST like life is often opposed by the desires and lifestyles of the life you lived prior to accepting CHRIST. This internal conflict is not unique to you neither does it necessarily signify that one had a genuine “born again” experience. It rather speaks to the need for us to cooperate with GOD so that we can be continually changed and enabled to live in accordance to the new life we have just received. In this episode we discuss the importance of the sanctified life and the process by which we can daily become like CHRIST and less like our old selves.

The sanctified life also known as life led by The HOLY SPIRIT. There is a big difference between the old nature and the new nature. The flesh and the Spirit.

Sanctification can be thought of as comprising of three parts:

1.Postional Sanctification which is where you stand in CHRIST, dead to sin, alive in CHRIST. Where you are justified at conversion and holiness is imputed to the believer. 2 Corinthians 5:17, Titus 3:5.

2. Progressive sanctification in a believers daily life, the process of becoming holy in daily living. Colossians 3:1–10, 2 Corinthians 3:18.

3.Ultimate sanctification our sanctification process being made complete by CHRIST when HE returns. 1 John 3:2

Sanctification is the work of GOD. It is not within our own strength to be sanctified. It is initiated by GOD and it is a change with which we should cooperate.

In our day to day living we find that there is a struggle within us, a struggle between the old and the new nature.

The old (sinful) nature has its mind set on what the body (flesh) desires. (Romans 8:5) The mind of the sinful man is dead.(Romans 8:6).The sinful nature is hostile towards GOD and does not submit to GODs laws(Roman 8:7) and those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please GOD.

The new nature has its mind set on what the Spirit desires, the mind controlled by the Spirit is HOLY and new.(Romans 8:5–6, Colossians 3:5–10, Galatians 5:19 -23)

Our response to this conflict is to continue to come to GOD and depend on HIM to strengthen us to live by the new nature by the help and leading of THE HOLY SPIRIT.

It is so important to live a Spirit led life, a sanctified life because it is consistent with our position in CHRIST. This is the kind of life that draws people to CHRIST, it pleases GOD for us to live Holy and it’s commanded for us to live Holy, It’s GODs will for us to live Holy. (1 Peter 1: 15–16, 1 Thessalonians 4:3–6, Romans 12:1–2)

It is impossible for us to live Holy on our own, this new life is all about being dependent on GOD, and so GOD has provided us with tools to help us live the way HE wants us to.

These tools are:

The word of GOD (John 17:17, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Psalms 119:105)

The HOLY SPIRIT (John 14:26,16:13)

A conscience (1 Timothy 1:19,1 Peter 3:15)

GODs grace (Hebrews 4:15)

Grace and peace.

sources :

Koi international Worship Centre Deeper life Growth track level 1