DCLM Search The Scripture Youth For November 20, 2022 : Topic – Consistent Christian Living
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YOUTH STS
LESSON 999
CONSISTENT CHRISTIAN LIVING
Memory Verse: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
TEXT: Genesis 5:22-24; 17: 1; Ephesians 6:10-18
Decision determines destiny. Decision to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour is wonderful and rewarding in this life and in eternity. However, following Him consistently to the end is what matters. Some youths begin well, but end badly. A careful look at the prevailing situation around us reveals that Christian youths are becoming lukewarm. The reason for this may be due to their love waxing cold. But the solution remains consistent Christian living on a daily basis.
Question 1: What is consistent Christian living?
To live a consistent Christian life is to be unchanging over a long period of time. That is, you are consistent in your conviction about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Scripture, hell, heaven, etc. The Scripture says, “My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?” Examples abound in the Scriptures of those who walked with God to the end of their lives. Some of them are Enoch, Noah, David, Daniel, Timothy, Paul, Hezekiah and John the Beloved. You can also walk with Him from today.
COMMAND TO WALK WITH GOD
Gen 5:22; 17:1; Isaiah 30:2i; Jer 6:16; John 2:2-6; Isaiah 35:9; Kings 9:4,5; Jos 22:5
“And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, said unto him. I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect” (Gen 17:1). The command of the Lord to every youth is to come to Him and then continue to walk daily with Him until he enters into His rest in heaven- “Can two together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). The command to walk with God is not a physical one. It means to give ones life to Christ by repenting one’s sins, confessing those sins to God directly and believing in the finished work of Christ at Calvary. “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3,4).
Question 2: How does God expect us to walk with Him?
Walking with God is interesting and practical. He expects us to walk as children of light (l John 1:7), honestly (1 Thess 4: 12), in newness of life (Rom 6:4), in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), in love (Eph 5:21, in wisdom (Col 4:5), in truth (1 Kings 1:1-4), by faith (2 Cor 5:7), humbly (Micah 6:8) and with a perfect heart (2 Kings 20:3). Christian youths are on a journey to heaven. The devil may allow a youth to start the journey but he will do all be can to stop him from making heaven. We are living in the last days and stand the danger of unprepared for the coming of the Lord. We live difficult or perilous times. Rebellion, Backsliding, covetousness, pride, blasphemy, disobedience to parents, headiness, high-mindedness and examination malpractice characterise these days. “This know also that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, …lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away” (2 Tim 3:1-5). How is it with you now? Have you lost your Christian experiences? What about your first love? Do you care about spiritual things now? Examine yourself! The first step in ensuring that one lives a consistent Christian life is to check whether one’s Christian experiences are still intact. Human character has no reservoir. The fact that you once lived an acceptable life before God does not guarantee you will always be acceptable before Him. There is nothing like once saved, forever saved. We are called by God to a life of consistent walk with Him. Therefore, if a Christian youth turns from holiness, sobriety, prayerfulness, zealousness and seriousness in soul-winning and begins to develop coldness in spiritual things, his chances of getting to heaven are doubtful (Eze 18:24).
COURAGE TO WALK WITH GOD
Gen 5:22; Eph 6:10-18; 2 Cor 10:3-5; 1 Cor 15:56, 57; Luke 4:4
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Eph 6: 10, 11).
Question 3: How can a Christian youth maintain a consistent walk with the Lord?
The antidote for backsliding and lukewarmness are these: firstly, we must be saved from sin. Secondly, we are enjoined to be strong in the Lord and make use of our divine ability. God’s power is strong enough to keep all His children from falling. It is the duty of every Christian youth to ensure that they are strong at all times. A wise believer will ensure that he does not have any careless moment. The devil knows the time to strike, especially when Christians do not pray, read their Bible or renew their strength in the Lord. It is the will of God that believing youths be strong in the Lord every moment of their lives. Thirdly, we are encouraged to stand against the wiles of the evil. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Eph 6: 12). The aim of Satan and his agents is to wrestle or fight with Christian youths, weaken, overcome and make them ineffective. No Christian youth can afford to trifle with the devil and his agents. The believer is in constant warfare with the devil and his agents. The devil is conscious of the fact that there is an on-going battle between his host and God’s people. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world” (1 Pet 5:8,9). Furthermore, the subtlely of the enemy calls for constancy in the spiritual strength of the believer. The methods of the devil are so complex that the believer needs to put on the whole armour of God at all times. The devil is at work night and day to entrap, enslave and ruin the careless believer. The youth who constantly lives the victorious Christian life needs not to fear the devil. “Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and Laving done all, to stand” (Eph 6:13). The spiritual armour the Lord gives His children to overcome the devil and his agents include:
The Truth (Eph 6: 14): The believer needs to remain in the truth as he has been taught. He should also uphold the truth always. Wherever he may find himself, he should stand for the truth. This keeps him secured in Christ and free from error. He should not compromise because compromise is sin.
Righteousness (Eph 6: 14): Righteousness acts as both defensive and protective weapons. Believers are to put on the breastplate of righteousness. Righteousness is a great weapon in spiritual warfare. When you live righteously, the devil will be afraid of you. Righteousness is a spiritual shield. It protects a believing youth from backsliding. One cannot maintain consistent walk with God without living a consistent life of righteousness.
Soul winning (Ephesians 6:15): winning is essential victory in spiritual warfare- We are commanded to be consistent in soul-winning. Preaching the Gospel of peace is the duty of all Christians. When you consistently engage in winning souls, it guarantees constant victory in Christ. “A true witness delivereth (Proverbs 14:25).
Shield of Faith (Eph 6:16): In the middle of the pieces of the armour is the shield of faith which God has made available to every believer. It holds the first three and the last three weapons together. Therefore, develop your faith always. None can live a consistent Christian life without walking by faith (Heb 11:32-34).
Salvation from sins (Eph 6:17): Sin leads to defeat while freedom from it gives victory over sin and Satan. The helmet of salvation protects from the arrow of the devil.
Sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17): For a Christian to experience daily triumph through Christ, he needs the word of God, This Word is powerful, proven, purposeful, practical and profitable, Christian youths should read, study, meditate, hear and act on the word of God for daily victorious living.
Prayer and Supplication (Eph 6:18,19): Prayer is an indispensable weapon for consistent Christian living. We are commanded to pray “always with all prayer and supplication in the spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints”. To walk with God consistently, one needs to pray frequently and fervently. Prayer keeps one’s spiritual life fresh. It enables one to keep his consecration. Christian youths who pray consistently draw sufficient grace and strength from God to face the future. Pray until you cultivate the habit of praying. “Pray without ceasing” (Thess 5:17).
Question 4: Recall and explain five spiritual armour Christian must put on for spiritual warfare.
CONSECRATION TO WALK WITH GOD
Gen 5:24; Psalms 16:8; 26:11; 101:1-3; 116:9; 68:10-13
“And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him” (Gen 5:24). It takes great decision, determination and discipline to walk with God consistently to the end. You must count the cost of you dropping by the wayside- Do not allow anything, person or the devil to make you backslide. “But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me” (Psalm 26:11). When we walk with God consistently, we enjoy His prosperity (Gen 24:40), peace (Mal 2:5,6), provision (Psalm 84:11), protection (Pro 2:7), preservation (Isaiah 35:8-10), power (2 Cor 12:9) and presence (Gen 5:24) and promotion (Psalm 75:6). Finally, there is great gain in consistency. The youth who lives ‘the consistent Christian life will enjoy victory at an times; he will established in the faith, live & fruitful Christian life and be ready to meet the Lord at the rapture. “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matt 24: 13).