Introduction: Be Conformed to the Image of His Son
What we do is a direct result of what we are. What we are is determined by our values. Our values determine our character, and our character determines our behavior. Ask yourself these questions: “Do the characteristics reflected in m life exemplify the world’s values or those of Christ?”
Characteristic One: Being a Believer
The first Spiritual Characteristic of a Godly Life is having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
It’s not enough to believe in God. The Bible says that even demons believe and tremble. You must know God personally through His Son, Jesus. You cannot conform to the image of Christ unless you have Him at the center of your life. And You cannot exemplify Christ for others if you don’t know Him. Knowing Christ means that you have assurance of eternal life because of your relationship with Jesus. In other words you know you will be spending eternity in Heaven with Christ.
Characteristic Two: Being Empowered
The second spiritual characteristic, being empowered, is having the power to live Christ like. As believers, we continue to have freedom of choice. We have settled the issue of Heaven and hell. But now, we must choose daily whether or not we will live to satisfy the flesh or the Spirit.
Characteristic Three: Being Victorious
The third spiritual characteristic of a Godly Life, being victorious, is walking in victory over sin. Most believers have a struggle every day fighting the battle against the many temptations that come their way. We need to demonstrate our victory and train others so they can have victory over sin in their daily lives. We can only do that if we know how to have daily victory over sin and temptation in our own lives.
Characteristic Four: Being a Warrior
The fourth Spiritual Characteristic of a Godly Life has to do with putting on the full armor of God for warfare against Stan and his army. God promised to provide us with a way to keep temptation from becoming so strong that we can’t stand against it. He does this by giving us a full set of armor with which we can fight and defeat Satan and his army.
A Life of Truth
In order to mentor others we must live a life of truth. The first piece of armor that we are to put on is the Belt of Truth. The Bible sas, “gird your loins.” When we hear the word “loin” we think of “loin cloth.” The “loin cloth” is used to cover the most delicate and vulnerable part of the body. So, it would seem that for a believer who lacks trut, he would be most vulnerable to Satan’s attacks.
A Life of Position
We are people of position in the family of God through Jesus Christ. The second piece of armor is the Breastplate of Righteousness. We are told to put on the Breastplate of Righteousness. This protects our heart agains the enemy’s attack. Our heart is another part of us that is vulnerable. It is the very center of our life. This is the part of us that makes all of the commitments and decisions. Our heart is subject to Satan’s attack when it is not protected under the control of the Holy Spirit.
A Life of Peace
The third piece of armor is the Shoes of the preparation of the Gospel of Peace. The Great Commission becomes our mission. The Gospel is the Good News that man can have peace with God. This is the first of the offensive weapons.
A witness is one who simply tells what he saw or experienced. Be prepared to tell others how you came to Christ and what He has meant in your life. Write your testimony out on paper to make it clear. Tell about your life before you accepted Christ, how you came to Christ, and what changes have taken place since you received Him.
A Life of Faith
If you were caught in a building fire and had to leap out into the arms of the firemen to safety but, instead, you stood in the burning room, all the belief and knowledge couldn’t save you. Saving faith is faith that acts on what you believe. This is not only true regarding our salvation, but it is also true in our exercise of faith for God’s daily provision. We claim to believe that God will provide our every need, but we continue to worry in fear that our needs may not be met.
A Life of Assurance
The fifth piece of armor is the Helmet of Salvation. We have already talked about salvation. The most important thing is that we know without any doubt that we are saved. If you have any questions about whether or not you are going to Heaven, go back to Characteristic One and reread it until you are sure that you have Christ as your personal Savior.
A Life of His Word
The sixth piece of armor is the Sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.
The Word of God. Oh, what a powerful statement. These are the words of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit The triune God speaks to you and me through His Word. This is not a book like any other book that just gives instructions or information. It is the voice of God Almighty speaking to our hearts. The one who created everything and who holds it all together with His own power is speaking to us through the Bible. Yet we so often leave it sitting around unattended as if it were just an ordinary book.
A Life of Prayer
Prayer is our means of transmission, keeping us in direct communication with our commander.
Prayer is asking and receiving; it is talking to God. It is making our requests known unto Him in faith. The above Scripture is so simple on the surface that we are in danger of failing to recognize its immensity. Our Lord instructs the believer to ask, seek, and knock because these three words cover the whole spectrum of prayer.