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True Spirituality ... The Key to Growth

Three essential truths

True Spirituality is very important to growing strong in the Christian life. So many Christians struggle for years in their walk with Christ because they haven't learned this essential truth. Put simply it is the fact that a Christian's growth is based on three essential truths of Scripture:

1. The Death of Christ (Romans 6)

It is easy to put the cross away, at least in our thinking, after we come to Christ for salvation. Once we have eternal life we often no longer see the need for Christ's cross. It has served its purpose completely...or has it? You see, the death of Christ on the cross did three things:

It paid the PENALTY of sin. According to scripture we all deserve death and hell because we are sinners. Christ's death paid that penalty that we all owed. This took place in the past. This aspect of Christ's crucifixion is what actually enables us to be delivered from sin and it's penalty, which is hell. It will eradicate the PRESENCE of sin. This will take place in the future. When our bodies die our ability to sin will die with it. Because of the cross we are guaranteed someday to be free from the enslavement of sin forever. It breaks the POWER of sin. This takes place in the present. Guess what? Sin has no more power over you! The cross of Christ defeated sin and its power completely! Because Christ died FOR sin we are dead TO sin.

2. The Resurrection of Christ (Romans 6)

While the death of Christ guaranteed our death to sin the resurrection of Christ guarantees our life to God. Here's the way Romans 6:11 puts it, "In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus." When we trust in Jesus Christ as our savior we are identified with Him. We are identified with His death, burial and resurrection. It is as though we have died, been buried and risen with Christ so that, "we too may live a new life" (Romans 6:4).

A very important aspect of the Christian life is understanding this and living it out on a daily basis. We need to "Practice our Position" in Christ. We need to fully believe that Christ's death, burial and resurrection guarantee us victory over sin. Then we must live it out!!

3. The Spirit of Christ (Romans 8)

As we begin to understand these basic truths we must realize that Christ dwells in us through His Holy Spirit to enable us to live the victory that is already ours. Romans 8:12 & 13 puts it this way, "Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation - but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; BUT IF BY THE SPIRIT YOU PUT TO DEATH THE MISDEEDS OF THE BODY you will live." In other words, the power of the Holy Spirit is in us to give us systematic victory over sin. This victory is based on Christ's death, burial and resurrection. This victory is guaranteed to each and every Christian. All we must do is believe in it and act upon it.

One Basic Definition

True Spirituality takes place when we understand our identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection and then live out our victory in Christ by allowing the Holy Spirit to take full control of our lives.

Some helpful hints.

  1. Read Romans 6-8.
    • These three chapters explain in detail our position in Christ and our victory over sin. Chapter 6 explains our POSITION IN CHRIST. Chapter 7 reveals our CONDITION APART FROM CHRIST. Chapter 8 reveals our VICTORY THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
    • These passages will be a tremendous help to you as a new believer. They give us insights into the Apostle Paul's secret of victorious living. They also show us that Paul still struggled with living out this victory over sin (7:14-25). So take courage fellow believer! Though you may struggle with sin God has given you the victory! Live in it!!!
  2. Practice these truths on a daily basis.
    • All of us, no matter how spiritual or mature we may seem to be, will fall and fail in our Christian walk. But it is very important that as soon as you do fall, get right back up and start again. Proverbs tells us, "The wise man falls seven times yet rises again." Stay persistent! The Christian life is not a 100-yard dash. It is a life long marathon!
  3. Dedicate yourself to rededicate yourself on a daily basis!
    • This means that everyday is a new opportunity to serve God. The Christian life is not a one-time dedication but a day by day, moment by moment decision.

A verse to memorize!

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20

Study Questions

  1. According to Ephesians 1:13 when does the Holy Spirit come to live inside us? _______________________________
  2. What does the Holy Spirit give us according to Acts 1:8? ____________________
  3. II Peter 1:3 promises us that "His _________________ __________________ has given us everything we need for ____________ and ______________________ In your own words try to explain what this means:
  4. In John 15:5 Jesus tells us that He is the _____________ and that we are the ______________________. Then He tells us that apart from Him we __________ ________ __________________. Using Jesus' example of the vine and the branches explain our need for Christ if we are truly going to bear fruit for His glory: (But first read John 15:1-8.)
  5. What does Romans 6:2 tell us about our new relationship to sin? ______________________________________________________________
  6. Colossians 1:29 tells us about Paul's personal power source, "To this end I labor, struggling with all ____________________________, which so powerfully ___________ in me." What was Paul's power source? ________________________________
  7. We have learned that the cross of Christ, the resurrection of Christ and the Spirit of Christ all guarantee us spiritual victory. What are some ways that you can put these three principles into practice on a daily basis?