B. Anstey
The way to live a happy, fruitful Christian life lies in three daily things. All Christians will have a happy ending, but not all Christians have a happy life. The main cause for missing the joy and fruitfulness that God intends for our lives as Christians can be traced to the neglect of these three daily things. The Christian must learn the importance of having an established daily routine of reading the Scriptures, praying, and following the Lord in obedience.
Daily Searching the Scriptures
Daily "searching the Scriptures" (Acts 17:11, 12) implies more than just reading the Bible. It is a diligent, organized study. The Lord Jesus Himself is always our example. "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself." Luke 24:27. This shows that He took up the Scriptures in an orderly way. Sometimes we have a habit of reading only our favorite portions, but the Lord read all of the Scriptures. It is all for our learning (Rom. 15:4). "Receiving" the words of Scripture (Prov. 2:1) also implies more than just reading them. It suggests taking them in and personally applying them to yourself in a practical way.
Reasons Why a Christian Reads the Scriptures
a. To learn more about Christ (John 5:39; Luke 24:44, 25-27; Acts 17:2, 3, 11, 12).
b. To learn the extent of the blessings that are his through the finished work of Christ, by which he is also built up and established in the most holy faith (Acts 20:32; Jude 20; Rom. 16:25, 26; 2 Tim. 3:16; John 8:32).
c. They fill his heart with praise and thanksgiving (Psa. 119:171).
d. To learn practical principles for living, whereby he can be guided, directed, and kept in the path of following Christ (Psa. 119:105; Psa. 17:4;19:7 "wise").
e. To cleanse his soul from defilement. Passing through the world, the Christian picks up defilement, but the Scriptures have a washing and cleansing effect on him. If he is going in the path of sin, the Scriptures reveal his bad state of soul, and work on his conscience to produce repentance and confession that leads to restoration (Psa. 119:9; Eph. 5:26; Psa. 19:7).
f. To receive comfort when passing through trial or sorrow (Psa. 119:49, 50, 76).
g. To grow spiritually grow in grace, whereby he becomes more like Christ (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18).
h. To rejoice his heart. They make him happy and encouraged (Gen. 15:16; Psa. 19:7; 2 Chron. 31:4).
i. To learn of future events (prophecy). God's purpose is to glorify Himself in His Son in two spheres—heaven and earth. Prophecy shows how He will bring this to pass (2 Peter 1:19, 21; Rev. 1:1, 3). The Christian is consequently given an intelligent outlook on the world.
j. To be stirred up to live for Christ, to confess Christ, and to serve Christ (2 Peter 3:1, 2).
Daily Crying Out to the Lord in Prayer
Daily crying out to the Lord in prayer is another important thing in the Christian's life (Psa. 86:1, 3). Prayer is simply speaking to God. It can be either audible or silent. "I cry unto Thee daily" shows we should be earnest and real when we pray. "Everything by prayer" (Phil. 4:6) shows we also need to be specific in prayer. Nothing is too small or too big to bring to Him. Our prayers should also be in His name (John 16:23, 24; Eph. 5:20).
Reasons Why a Christian Should Pray
a. To have communion with the Father and the Son (1 John 1:3). Praying is really talking reverently
to the Lord. We need to confide in the Lord as we would in our nearest friend. He wants us to pour out our hearts before Him (Psa. 62:8; Sol. 2:14).
b. To express dependence on the Lord in matters of guidance and direction in our lives (Psa. 16:1; Prov. 3:5, 6).
c. To ask God for things we need in our lives (John 14:13, 14; 16:23, 24).
d. To intercede for others, whether they are fellow Christians or lost persons (1 Tim. 2:1, 2; Eph. 6:18; Heb. 13:3, 18, 19).
Taking up the Cross Daily and Following Christ
Taking up the cross and following Christ "daily" is the third essential thing in the Christian's life (Luke 9:23-26). Christianity is not a popular thing. Taking up the cross is a figurative expression. It implies accepting the rejection that comes from being identified with the rejected Christ. It is not enough for us to read the Scriptures and pray, we must walk in the things we have learned and enjoyed. Following Christ implies obedience in the pathway of faith.
Reasons Why a Christian Follows Christ
a. He knows that if he lives his life for self he is going to lose it in the end, because only what is done for Christ will be rewarded (Luke 9:24). Jim Elliot, who was martyred in Ecuador in 1956, wrote, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
b. He knows that even if he did live for this life only and amassed to himself its wealth and honors, he could not take it with him when he leaves this world anyway (Luke 9:25; 1 Tim. 6:7).
c. He knows that he will lose the enjoyment of communion with the Lord if he chooses not to follow Him in the path of faith (Psa. 66:18). There is a joy in following Christ in the path of faith that is known only to those who walk in it (John 14:23). He concludes that it is not worth it to go his own way through life. The conscious sense of the Lord's approval and the enjoyment of communion with Him means more to him than the applause of this world (Heb. 11:24-27).
What is a man profited,
if he shall gain the whole world,
and lose his own soul?
Or what shall a man give in
exchange for his soul?
Matt. 16:26