Articles
SUCCESSFUL CHRISTIAN LIVING
Our world is increasingly hostile toward men and women of faith. In the Lord’s church, as
well, challenges of worldliness and false teaching hinder our success. And, in our own lives, we
are painfully aware of our shortcomings and failures to achieve all that we should.
God knows all of these challenges and has made sufficient preparation to equip us for every
good work. In particular, in the instruction and encouragement of Scripture, we find a resource to
empower our quest for accomplishment in God’s service.
First Peter 1:13, for example, provides three powerful encouragements to move us along the
right path. The apostle wrote, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-
minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ” (ESV).
The Christians of the first century faced the same underlying problems confronting us today.
The encouragement Peter gave to them will help us to move forward powerfully in our age.
Prepare Your Mind for Action.
Peter noted that success in Christian living comes from within. Our minds must be prepared.
Without the preparation coming from God’s truth, we can never hope to please Him. The root of
discipleship is being a student, one who learns the way of Christ.
The church must be a learning organization with sermons and classes enhancing the personal
study each Christian must do to be faithful to the Lord who speaks to us in Scripture.
This preparation, which begins in our minds, must be expressed in our lives. The truths of
the Bible are not merely intellectual trivia; they have the power to transform our actions into
successful service. We are to prepare our minds for action.
Be Sober-Minded.
Christians are not called to be gloomy and downcast. An underlying gladness and optimism
are in our faith. We are, however, to be realistic, to think, and to act seriously about serious
matters.
The outcome of our work in the church is the most significant achievement imaginable. We
deal with the question of eternal life and death. Our consideration of Christian service should
always reflect the gravity of the difference our success or failure may make. ~Gregory Tidwell
March 2019, vol. 161, no. 3, Reprinted with permission, Gospel Advocate.
(The final “encouragement” will be shared in next week’s bulletin.)
