In the quest to get their Christian life to function sucessfully, many despair of ever finding an effective answer. Counselors listen to “presenting problems” such as depression, anxiety, and moral failures. Interpersonal conflicts continue even after self-help solutions have been attempted.
It seems ironic that one of the keys to discovering deliverance from such symptoms is to recognize that the Christian life is not merely difficult; it is impossible. As the first beatitude states it, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
The only one who ever really lived the Christian life is Christ Himself. This is good news, since Christ personally indwells and empowers His people through the Holy Spirit [Romans 8:9].
Instead of trying your best to live life for God, victory comes by discovering how Christ can live His life through you! [Galatians 2:20]
One of the essential resources for this abundant life involves recognizing the believer’s new identity in Christ. Although everyone has been programmed to try to get personal needs met through a natural identity, by natural means (the “flesh”), God has made provision for fulfillment through placing Christ in the believer and the believer in Christ. Being in Christ has accomplished the miracle of gaining a new spiritual identity: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
Rather than continuing to try to live the Christian life in your own strength, you can abide in Christ and appropriate His supernatural resources. Christ declared to His disciples, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
By appropriating your new identity in Christ, the fleshly symptoms are displaced by the sufficiency of the indwelling Christ–God’s lifetime guarantee.
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This theme is effectively expounded in Dr. Bill Gillham’s book, Lifetime Guarantee (Harvest House). It is available through Lifetime Guarantee Ministries, Fort Worth, TX. http://www.Lifetime.org