This final episode addresses a common reason why many Christians choose not to evangelize: they're not worthy because of sin issues, and they don't want to be hypocrites. Most Christians haven't fully given over to Christ's Lordship, and many struggle with sins "that so easily entangle." (Hebrews 12:1) The way forward is not to take an extended sabbatical from witnessing till substantial victory is realized, for few Christians ever feel sufficiently victorious. The recipe for gaining substantial victory over the flesh is Romans 13:14: "put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ means so regularly identifying with Christ through reading Scripture and prayer that Christ's character and mission become part of the believer. One is then motivated to lay aside the flesh, because it clearly obstructs and hinders the vision Christ has imparted to us, that of being ambassadors. Putting on the Lord Jesus Christ (inhaling) naturally leads to the ministry of reconciliation (exhaling), both of which clarify our purpose and reason for existence. We then see sin for what it truly is, an obstacle to true fulfillment, and we lay it aside. The alternative, being an unemployed Christian, rarely leads to victory over the flesh. "Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint." (Proverbs 29:18) Absent the invigorating power of Christ, inspiring and illuminating His plans for us, we only see the flesh. If we're going nowhere and willfully unemployed, rejecting participation in the Great Commission, we cast off restraint. We indulge the flesh even more, the paltry dividends of the lusts of deceit medicate us temporarily from loss of purpose and meaning. We settle for a substandard Christian life, where victory is always elusive and ministry is made a captive of the law of sin and death.* Clearly this latter alternative is not an option. All of us in varying degrees are called to be ministers of reconciliation, and ironically our battles with sin propel us to identify with Christ more. "Where sin abounds, grace abounds more.." Is it possible God wants to use you as a mighty evangelist, through your struggles with sin?
Fawning after God and His Law
This episode spells out how the cultivation of love of God and His Law is the means of gaining victory over the flesh. This love is metaphorically captured in Psalm 42:1: "as the deer pants for the water brook, so my soul pants for Thee, oh God." Victory over the flesh is not found in merely knowing about God and His Law, but victory manifests when we PANT after God and His Law. It becomes an insatiable craving. New Testament believers, who delight with the Law of God in the inner man, can potentially have substantial victory over the flesh by setting their minds on the Spirit. (Romans 8:6) This is key to falling in love with God and His Law. And it also makes sanctification much easier. When God and His Law become our delight, His commandments are not burdensome, and crushing the deeds of the flesh becomes instinctive and natural. We pant after God and His commandments, and we do anything to satisfy our thirst.
“Make this Year Revolutionary!”
This final episode challenges all Christians to implement Biblical imperatives that will substantially reflect God's will for their lives, resulting in revolutionary results by the end of the year. Beginning with apprehending the tailor-made vision of God through prayer, Christians should adopt a purposeful intentional approach to life instead of reacting to circumstances and challenges according to the flesh. Opposition is the expectation of Spirit-filled believers who know they can do all things through Christ who strengthens them. (Phil. 4:13) The episode culminates with the higher promise of the Christian life: in addition to witnessing how God empowers them to do mighty exploits in the name of the Lord, Christians discover the transformative Person and power of Christ. This is indeed the greatest reward.
When you’re Afraid Remember the Lord
Coming from Nehemiah 4:11-14, this episode provides a model for overcoming fear amidst opposition to God's purposes in our lives. When threatened with death by "vision-killers," Nehemiah encouraged his compatriots, "Do not be afraid of them, remember the Lord who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers.." When believers experience discouragement and fear because of their aggressive embrace of the kingdom, they join in the "fellowship of sufferings" that old and new testament saints experience. And all endured opposition and fulfilled their calling by remembering the Lord Who is great and awesome.