CHRISTIAN LIFE | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 6, 1887

CHRISTIAN LIFE.

Christian life is life in Christ. He is our very life. "Not I, but Christ liveth in me;" and to the close we are dependent on him for everything, and do all things through Christ that strengtheneth us.

Christian life is life in the Spirit. Christ seals it, sustains it, and is the substance of it. We "live in the Spirit" and "walk in the Spirit." All our graces are "the fruit of the Spirit." We are illuminated by the Spirit, "strengthened" by the Spirit, and "filled" with the Spirit, and we are warned against grieving and quenching the Spirit.

Christian life is a life of separation from the world and sin. "It has crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." It can say, "The world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." It must "seek the things that are above," and "mortify the members that are on the earth." It must "put off the old man with his deeds," and its "conversation is in Heaven," remembering ever that they who mind earthly things are "enemies of the cross of Christ."

Christian life is a life of conflict; "conflict with the flesh," which "lusteth against the Spirit;" conflict with principalities and powers—the rulers of the darkness of this world—wicked spirits in heavenly places. And the nearer we get to the gates of triumph, the thicker grow the opposing hosts, and the more trying the ordeal of temptation. But the panoply is sufficient, and the victory is sure.

Christian life is one of practical holiness; a life of working and suffering, of waiting and hoping for the coming of Christ and the glory of the resurrection; of looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God, our Saviour Jesus Christ; "pressing toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ."—Selected.