Power for Holy Living

As believers, we understand that our salvation is by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). However, we sometimes forget that sanctification—the process of becoming more like Christ—is also a work of the Holy Spirit alone.

A. The Problem

Oftentimes, the harder we try to be righteous in our own strength, the more likely we are to develop sin in other areas of our lives. For instance, we may discipline ourselves to have a devotional every morning but then develop a prideful heart about it. Or, we might avoid using curse words but feel free to gossip about the failings of others. At times, the pressure to live a holy life becomes so great that a believer may give up trying altogether.

Have you ever felt weary of trying to be a “faithful Christian” or sensed a need to be “good enough for God”? Why or why not?

The first-century church in Galatia also struggled with the concept of growing in holiness by faith. Yet Paul assured those believers that the same Spirit who filled them at salvation was willing to help them become more like Christ by faith. Read Galatians 3:1-7.

Why does trying to improve ourselves in our own strength yield only limited results?
Note: Often, when Scripture uses the term “to perfect,” such as in Galatians 3, it doesn’t mean “to make without flaw.” Instead, it means “to mature.” In this context, Paul was saying that we can’t use our own efforts to make ourselves more like Christ.

B. The Solution

In Galatians 2, Paul explained his secret for living righteously. Read verse 20.

What does he say empowers him

Paul spoke of being “crucified with Christ.” This doesn’t mean that Paul’s body was literally killed on the cross or that God erased the apostle’s personality. Instead, it means that Paul’s will “died.” In other words, he submitted control of his life to the Father, and let God’s plans take precedence over his agenda.

Would you like to submit or recommit yourself to God’s will? If so, you may want to write a prayer here, committing your life to Him to use as He wishes.

Let’s look at another passage that mentions dying with Christ. In Romans 6:3, Paul says that “all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death.”
a. In Paul’s day, the phrase “baptized into Christ” carried significant meaning. The term baptize literally meant “to immerse something into something else.” For instance, they would baptize a piece of cloth in dye in order to change the color.

b. First-century literature used this term figuratively more than literally. This word indicated identification. For instance, if Gentiles wanted to join the Jewish faith, they would go through a series of rituals, including baptism. By custom, the people would dip themselves under water. This represented death to their former habits and old religion. It represented resurrection to a new way of life. They would now assume Jewish customs, dress, and eating habits. For all practical purposes, they would be identified as Jews.

Based on the explanation above, what do you think Paul meant when he said we are “baptized into Christ”?

What are some of the benefits of identification with Jesus? Read Romans 6:10-11 and 2 Peter 1:2-3.
Closing: Many believers don’t understand the vast riches available in our Lord and Savior. As a child of God, you lack nothing. The Father’s immeasurable love and power are available to you for every challenge. You can embrace the fullness of His mercy and live the abundant life He has planned.

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for the amazing grace that saved me. I am so grateful for the work of Your Holy Spirit in conforming me into the image of Christ. Today, I choose to surrender control of my life to You. Please empower me to live righteously. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

 The Importance of Discipline

God is patient with us, but He doesn’t put up with our willful, deliberate sin forever. As His children, our heavenly Father eventually disciplines us (Hebrews 12:10). Like an earthly father who trains his children so they’ll become well-adjusted, productive adults, God corrects us because He loves us.

I. The Purpose for Discipline

What does the writer of Hebrews tell us about the ultimate purpose for discipline? (See Hebrews 12:10.)
Holiness is sometimes a misleading term. It simply means we are conformed to the image of Christ. Our attitudes and actions should be pleasing to Him. The Lord is willing to bring into our lives whatever is necessary to teach us how to live righteously.

II. The Process of Discipline

God begins by using His Holy Spirit to convict us. When we don’t respond to gentle taps on the shoulder, God will use hardship and failure to correct our attitudes and behavior.

What difficulties has God used in your life to make you more like Him?
Choose one such experience and describe what you learned from it about God, yourself, and/or the successful Christian walk.
III. The Product of Discipline

We think of discipline as bad, but discipline is actually for our good.

What does Hebrews 12:11 say are the results of discipline?
Why do you think discipline brings these results?
IV. The Proper Response to Discipline

What should our attitude about discipline be, according to Hebrews 12:5?
Does this describe your attitude towards God’s correction? Why or why not?
The proper response to God’s correction is submission. We shouldn’t fight, run, argue, or bargain.

Hebrews 12:9 says when we submit to the Father of our souls, we “live.” What do you think the writer of Hebrews meant to convey through this choice of words?


What happens when we resist the discipline of God?
V. The Perception of Discipline

Sometimes we’re not sure what God is doing in our lives. It’s tempting to rationalize away hardship: Well, these things happen to a lot of people. Non-Christians face difficulties, too.

Discipline plays an important role in the life of a believer—to prevent future disaster and drifting. If you’re not sure what God is trying to teach you through a difficulty, ask Him, “Father, are You allowing something in my life to get my attention? Is there discipline going on?”

Note: All hardship and trials are not necessarily God’s hand of discipline for sin. John 15:2 tells us, “…every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” Hardship in your life doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in sin or somehow displeasing God.

VI. Preventing Unnecessary Discipline

Paul told the Corinthians to “let a man examine himself” (1 Corinthians 11:28). Self-examination is confessing—saying the same things about sin that God says—and repenting, which means turning around. If you deal with sin as soon as you identify it, then God won’t have to.

Sit quietly for a few minutes, asking God if there is anything in your life that is offensive to Him. Then confess those things to Him and repent of those attitudes and behaviors.
Closing: We need to respond seriously and courageously to God’s correction, sensing His love and knowing that it’s for our best. Praise God! He loves us where we are but loves us enough not to leave us there.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You that You never make a mistake in disciplining me. Enable me to see that Your discipline saves me from future harm and helps conform me to the image of Christ. Help me walk close to You, responding quickly to Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, amen.