The journal. (Caldwell, Ohio) 1934-1961, 1959-09-03

The sincere Christian is con-
cerned about living a consistent
Christian life. Our text suggests
how such a person can realize
his desire for the glory Of God
and for his own blessing.
We see first that the Christian
should always be on guard =
watch ye". Satan is determined
to snare and capture a Christian.
He is opposed to everything and
everyone who is identified with
God q Peter 5:8). The worldly
system is also attractive and
alluring though it is harmful
spiritually and even physically.
Also, the fleshly desires are still
present; many of them are strong
and demand satisfaction. Many
times the conflict within the
Christians heart is strong and
long, and the more determined
he is to live for God, the greater
the conflict. Therefore the Chris
tian must ever be on the alert.
Satan, the world and even our
desires will deceive us and cause
us to go astray.,
'Stand fast in the faith" 49,
stand firm in your faith. One
must be stable so that he is not
swayed and upset by false doc
trines and the storms of life.
To be firmly grounded in the
faith, the Christian should daily
search the scriptures and store
them in his heart. In Ephesians
6:17 we are told that the word
of God is the sword Of the
Spirit. A sword is weapon, of
defense as we'll as of offence
We should learn to use it wisely.
The Psalmist said, ''Thy word
have l hid in mine heart, that
I might not sin against thee"
psalm 119:11-. The Christian's S
faith is based on the word of
God, therefore he should become
as familiar as possible with
Gods word.
The next admonition, quit
you like men," tells us that we
are to act like men, not like
children. The Christian is ex-
pected to grow in his Christian
experience. This growth will be
revealed in his behaviour and
attitudes. We should strive for
maturity - disciplined, ready to
accept responsibility, ready to
work. We must learn to exercise
sound JUDGMENT and be firm in
our resolutions.
Along with the above, we are
exhorted to ''be strong" The
Christian is expected to grow in
strength. A normal child is ex-
pected to grow stronger each day.
He does so by exercise, healthy
activity, proper food and fresh
air. So the Christian who ex-
poets to grow and be strong
should feed upon the word OF
God, learn to spend time in pray
er, and to put into practice what
he has learned from the word
of God and engage in Christian
activity by helping those who are
in need, physically or spiritually
He will also seek opportunities
to witness to the grace, mercy
and power of God.
Finally, we read: s'Let all your
things be done with charity
Our zeal and constancv must be
consistent with love. We should
be able to defend our faith, bu,
not devour and destroy. Love
should not only reign in the
Christians heart, but it should
also shine out in his life. Chris.
tian love should be conspicuous
First Corinthians, chapter 13 ex.
plains the inheritance Of love
in the Christians life. Such 8
love is the result Of the Holy
Spirit being permitted to contro,
the Christians life Galatians
5:22. 23).
God has made it possible fol
the Christian to live consistently
and victoriously. Let us pray
that we who bear the name o.
Christ might be so living.