Alf Davis
Agape International Christian Counselling
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
by Alfred C. W. Davis MBA, M.Div.
The Victorious Life = Christ's Truth + ObedienceThere are three types of relationships in life: 1) relationship with God; 2) relationship with Self; and 3) relationship with others. The victorious life involves all three relationships, however this article focuses on the first two relationships because, I believe that if you are healthy in the first two relationships, that relationships with others will occur more naturally and effectively.
Maybe we should start with our relationship with God because He knows us better than we know ourselves. Over our lifetime, we have created images of ourselves that are often built on false messages and lies that we have come to believe. So, we live in the distorted image we have created rather than in the truth of our True Self in Christ. Yet God knows our True Self. He knows all about us. As Psalm 139 tells us, "Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely". As our creator and as an omniscient God He knows everything about us from the moment of conception until this very day. Even better, as a loving God, He cares about us and wants the best for us. So, He offers us grace through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross to wash away our sins and now, when He looks at us, He sees us as His holy and righteous creations with all our gifts and talents and abilities.
The first step in our relationship with God is accepting his offer of salvation ie. inviting Jesus into our lives as our Lord and Saviour. When we take this step of faith, we start on a journey of truth because Jesus is "the way and the truth and the life". (John 14:6). Probably the toughest thing for Christians to believe is that they are no longer the bad, despicable sinner that they have known for so long and that they are now redeemed saints. God makes the transition easily because He loves us so much, but we have difficulty believing the truth of forgiveness and redemption.
The second step in our relationship with God is inviting Jesus into our minds to reveal truth to us so that we can live in God's truth. In our relationship with ourselves, if we live in lies and deception, then our lives can be filled with confusion, turmoil and despair. So, we need help in knowing the truth. That is why it says in Jeremiah 33:3, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." Also, in
2 Corinthians 10:5, it says, "We take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
The third step in our relationship with God is actually listening to the truth that He wants to reveal in our minds. Often we pray asking for this and that, but then do not listen. The listening step is difficult to do in our hectic world. But, if you still yourself, ask specifically and then listen, the Lord will bring the truth you need to hear into your mind. I suggest that you write the revealed truth on paper and test it to see if it sounds like a loving statement. If it is a loving truth, then accept it.
The fourth step is the obedience part. Eve heard the truth from the Lord in the Garden of Eden but she did not obey with dire consequences. Abraham heard truth from God and obeyed and his deeds were reckoned as righteousness. The blessings were passed down from Abraham for generations. Once you have heard the truth revealed in your mind as a direct answer to prayer, obey it. Live according to that truth and it will bear much fruit.
The relationship with Self is a much more positive experience when the person is thinking about truth rather than ruminating on lies and negative distortions. So, the relationship with God is needed first to clarify the truth. Once the Christ's truth has been heard and understood, the self-esteem rises and the relationship with Self improves. This activity is not positive thinking or wishful thinking. It is God inspired truth. Then obedience to that truth is needed to live the victorious life. In spiritual terms, truth is armour and obedience to that truth is the breastplate of righteousness. The fruit of obedience to God's truth is peace, freedom, self-control and joy. Can you think of a better way to live your life?
The knowledge of the True Self In Christ comes from your relationship with God. Spend time asking for truth and Jesus through the Holy Spirit will bring truth into your mind. It may be scriptural truth, such as: "Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you (Isaiah 43:4)". Isn't that better than believing "I am not wanted"? Or it may be words brought into your mind, such as, "You are my child. You belong to me." Christ's truth will dispel the lies and free you to know your True self In Christ. Accepting those words of truth and living out of that truth is the obedience that will convert your old story of despair into a new dynamic story that will allow you to fly like an eagle.
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Alfred C.W. Davis, MBA, M.Div.
Agape Healing International Inc.
111 Prince Charles Drive, Unit 103
Oakville, ON L6K 3X3
www.agapehealing.org
Tel. 905.815.9638
Fax 905.842.9757
Alf Davis is a Clinical Member of AAMFT. He graduated with a Master of Divinity degree from Tyndale Seminary, majoring in counseling. As well as being a therapist, he provides spiritual direction and counseling for pastors and Christian care givers. He is on the Board of Asia Mission Center International and he teaches the seminar, "A Theory and Process of Christian Counseling and Inner Healing" both internationally, at Tyndale Seminary and at local churches.
