Northside Church
One of the toughest parts about being a Christian, is understanding the importance of being in alignment with God. We need to know where we went off track, we need to know what we don't know or understand our limitations, get in the shop (or the Word) and get it fixed. Once it is repaired, maintenance is the key to keeping it on the road. But you have to count the cost... and repairs are expensive these days, especially to something as important as your soul.
Luke 14:25-33 ESV
To be in alignment with God, you must be willing to do a few things and these things can have a hefty price tag:
You must crucify the flesh
Matthew 16:24 ESV
Mark 8:34 ESV
Luke 9:23 ESV
Romans 6:6 ESV
Galatians 5:24 ESV
Ephesians 4:22 ESV
Colossians 3:5 ESV
You must humble yourselves
Matthew 18:4 ESV
Matthew 23:12 ESV
Luke 14:11 ESV
Romans 12:16 ESV
Philippians 2:8 ESV
James 4:1, 6-7 ESV
1 Peter 5:6 ESV
You must obey
1 Samuel 15:22 ESV
John 15:10-11 ESV
Romans 5:19 ESV
James 1:22-25 ESV
You must prefer one another
Romans 12:9-13 ESV
You must follow the Word
Which means you need to know the Word. You need to study. You need to meditate in the Word. You need to PRAY the Word.
Psalm 119:11 ESV
Psalm 119:105 ESV
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
2 Timothy 3:16-17 ESV
Hebrews 4:12 ESV
1 Peter 3:15 ESV
Rely constantly on the Holy Spirit. We know that the Holy Spirit prays for us (Romans 8), and what a comfort that should be to the weakest of us. Stand aside and let Him take over all the choices and decisions of your life.
a. Attend church regularly. The visible church is Christ’s organization upon earth. Christians need one another, we need to gather together to worship God, and nothing can take the place of church attendance.
b. Be a witnessing Christian. We witness in two ways: by life and by word – and the two, where possible, should go hand in hand.
c. Let love be the ruling principle of your life. Jesus said to those who followed Him, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). The greatest demonstration of the fact that we are Christians is that we love one another.
d. Be an obedient Christian. Let Christ have first place in all the choices of your life.
e. Learn how to meet temptation. Temptation is not sin. It is yielding that is sin. Let Christ through the Holy Spirit do the fighting for you.
f. Be a wholesome Christian. Our lives and appearance should commend the Gospel and make it attractive to others.
g. Live above your circumstances. Don’t let your circumstances get you down. Learn to live graciously within them, realizing the Lord Himself is with you.