THE CLEAR
EVIDENCE THAT CHRISTIANS ARE WALKING CLOSER TO GOD IN THEIR CHRISTIAN LIFE
(James 4:8-10) Draw nigh
to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and
purify your hearts, ye double minded. ⁹ Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. ¹⁰ Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
(Psalms 73:28) But it is
good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I
may declare all thy works.
INTRODUCTION:
a. King
David’s ultimate desire was always to walk closer to God and to draw near to
Him continually.
( Psalms 73:28 ) But it is
good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, that I
may declare all thy works.
There
is multiple evidence in the lives of God's people showing that they are walking
closer to Him.
1. BY
READING AND MEDITATING ON THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR DAILY LIFE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( Joshua 1:8 ) This book
of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein
day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written
therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have
good success.
Daily
meditation aligns our thoughts with God's will, ensuring our steps are guided
by His truth rather than worldly wisdom.
2. BY
WORSHIPING WITH FAITHFULNESS IN GOD'S TEMPLE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( Acts 2:46-47 ) ⁴⁶ And
they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from
house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, ⁴⁷
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.
True worship
fosters unity among believers and creates an environment where God's presence
transforms hearts.
3. BY
SERVING GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND STRENGTH IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( Hebrews 10:22-23 ) ²² Let us
draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. ²³
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is
faithful that promised;)
Serving
with a pure heart reflects a life cleansed by Christ, holding firmly to His
promises without wavering.
4. BY PRAYING ALWAYS TO GOD FOR HIS PERFECTION IS CLEAR
EVIDENCE.
( Psalms 91:1-7 ) ¹ He that
dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of
the Almighty. ² I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my
God; in him will I trust. ³ Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the
fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. ⁴ He shall cover thee with his
feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield
and buckler. ⁵ Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the
arrow that flieth by day; ⁶ Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness;
nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. ⁷ A thousand shall fall at thy
side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
An
active, persistent prayer life anchors us securely under the shadow and
protection of the Almighty.
5. BY GIVING TO GOD TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE LORD WITH
CHEERFULNESS IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( 2 Corinthians 9:6-9 ) ⁶ But this
I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully. ⁷ Every man according as he purposeth
in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth
a cheerful giver. ⁸ And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that
ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
⁹ (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever.)
Cheerful
giving demonstrates a detached heart from material wealth and total reliance on
God’s abundant provision.
6. BY WALKING AND FOLLOWING THE STEPS OF JESUS CHRIST IS
CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( 1 Peter 2:21 ) For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps:
Emulating
the lifestyle and suffering of Christ proves our true discipleship and
willingness to deny ourselves daily.
7. BY
SACRIFICING IN THE WORK OF THE LORD FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS' SAKE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( John 15:14-16 ) ¹⁴ Ye are
my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. ¹⁵ Henceforth I call you not
servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called
you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known
unto you. ¹⁶ Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,
that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:
that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Sacrificial
obedience shifts our status from mere servants to trusted friends of Christ,
producing fruit that lasts.
8. BY GLORIFYING GOD ALWAYS, EVEN IN OUR DEEP CRISES IN
LIFE, IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( James 4:6-10 ) ⁶ But he
giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth
grace unto the humble. ⁷ Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil,
and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.
Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. ⁹ Be
afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and
your joy to heaviness. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he
shall lift you up.
Humbling
ourselves and mourning over sin during trials invites God's grace to lift us
above our circumstances.
9. BY FULFILLING THE GREAT COMMISSION OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST AT ALL COSTS TO THE LOST IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( Mathew 28:19-20 ) ¹⁹ Go ye
therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: ²⁰ Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the
end of the world. Amen.
Actively
sharing the gospel shows we share Christ's burden for the lost, comforted by
His promise to be with us always.
10. BY WAITING FOR THE SOON COMING OF THE LORD JESUS
CHRIST WITH JOY AND HOPE IS CLEAR EVIDENCE.
( 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ) ¹³ But I
would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep,
that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. ¹⁴ For if we believe
that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God
bring with him. ¹⁵ For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we
which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them
which are asleep. ¹⁶ For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead
in Christ shall rise first: ¹⁷ Then we which are alive and remain shall be
caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so
shall we ever be with the Lord. ¹⁸ Wherefore comfort one another with these
words.
Living
with an eternal perspective comforts us during times of grief, knowing our
reunion with Christ is guaranteed.
The
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ is very soon. Let us be ready always for His
coming.
( Matthew 24:44-47 ) ⁴⁴
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh. ⁴⁵ Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made
ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? ⁴⁶ Blessed is that
servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. ⁴⁷ Verily I say unto
you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.
God
bless you all always!
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