To walk the holy road to heaven requires that we live our life in tune with the Holy Spirit within.
This is the first ‘fold’ of the Alliance ‘fourfold gospel – Jesus is the Saviour. But while salvation takes a moment – to pass from death to life, sanctification – or the holy life – takes a lifetime. This is the second ‘fold’ that we teach – Jesus is our Sanctifier.
We talk a lot in the church about salvation – as we well should. It is a decision that has eternal implications. This is the first ‘fold’ of the Alliance ‘fourfold gospel – Jesus is the Saviour. But while salvation takes a moment – to pass from death to life, sanctification – or the holy life – takes a lifetime. This is the second ‘fold’ that we teach – Jesus is our Sanctifier. To walk the holy road to heaven requires that we live our life in tune with the Holy Spirit within, whose main job is to glorify Jesus through our life. I spoke on this in our service on June 23 – if you missed it, you can watch it now on YouTube. This Sunday I will follow that message up with practical ways to walk this pilgrim road right to our last day. I asked you – the Encounter blog people – what practical things you do to live the holy life, and many of you gave me such wonderful input, that I will list them here.
TWO WAY PRAYER
-Ask the Holy Spirit to speak, and then listen for what he says. If you are willing to obey what He says, then at the right time He will speak.
-Pray daily and ask the Lord for increased desire in this area.
-Talk with God through the day.
-Go over the last day, week or month and ask – “how have I resisted the Lord and why?” Then ask the Spirit to speak into those things.
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
-Freely offer praise.
-Listen to and sing meaningful praise songs and deep theological songs (Take time to be holy, I need thee every hour).
SCRIPTURE
-Many of you make it a practice to read through the bible. Record one significant insight each reading and record what insight you receive. “The Lord has a lot to say to me – not all of it pleasant.”
-Read the bible daily and ask each day – “what is the Lord saying to me in this passage?”
-Memorize scripture.
-“The more I read the bible, the more I love it.”
RESOURCES -Read books that prompt spiritual reflection (Thomas a Kempis, AW Tozer, etc).
-Start every day with a short reading (like 100words.ca).
QUIETNESS
-Take time to be alone – be open to the Lord to say what He wants to say or just to reflect on His character and goodness.
-Take quiet time when big decisions loom.
-When you hear from the Lord, obey it or you will regret it later!
OTHERS
-Get involved in Christian service – it helps you to grow in faith.
-Be part of a bible study group and let iron sharpen iron.
ALSO…
-Learn to discern the devil’s work and stand against him when it happens.
-Cultivate a thankful attitude.
These are things that you are practicing – what great input! These kinds of things lead to fresh Encounters with God!
Phillips Brooks, who wrote ‘O little town of Bethlehem’ said:
“Feed on Christ, and then go and live your life, and it is Christ in you that lives your life, that helps the poor, that tells the truth, that fights the battle, and that wins the crown.”
Pastor Leon Throness
