Lifetime Guarantee

Lifetime Guarantee
By John Woodward
April 16, 2004

In the quest to get their Christian life to function sucessfully, many despair of ever finding an effective answer. Counselors listen to "presenting problems" such as depression, anxiety, and moral failures. Interpersonal conflicts continue even after self-help solutions have been attempted.

It seems ironic that one of the keys to discovering deliverance from such symptoms is to recognize that the Christian life is not merely difficult; it is impossible. As the first beatitude states it, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:3).

The only one who ever really lived the Christian life is Christ Himself. This is good news, since Christ personally indwells and empowers His people through the Holy Spirit [Romans 8:9].

Instead of trying your best to live life for God, victory comes by discovering how Christ can live His life through you! [Galatians 2:20]

One of the essential resources for this abundant life involves recognizing the believer's new identity in Christ. Although everyone has been programmed to try to get personal needs met through a natural identity, by natural means (the "flesh"), God has made provision for fulfillment through placing Christ in the believer and the believer in Christ. Being in Christ has accomplished the miracle of gaining a new spiritual identity: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Rather than continuing to try to live the Christian life in your own strength, you can abide in Christ and appropriate His supernatural resources. Christ declared to His disciples, "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

By appropriating your new identity in Christ, the fleshly symptoms are displaced by the sufficiency of the indwelling Christ--God's lifetime guarantee.

~~~~

This theme is effectively expounded in Dr. Bill Gillham's book, Lifetime Guarantee (Harvest House). It is available through Lifetime Guarantee Ministries, Fort Worth, TX. http://www.Lifetime.org

Grace Notes (c) 2004 by John Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint this article for non commercial use. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New King James Version (c) 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

John will be ministering tonight, April 16th, in Nashua, N.H., Sunday morning at Peoples Church of Montreal, and Monday-Friday at Porteurs du Flambeau Bible School in Quebec (www.CapernwrayQuebec.ca).

Sponsored by Grace Fellowship International, Box 368 Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 (865) 429-0450 http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com

View Comments | Add Comment

Grace Fellowship is an international discipleship, counseling, and training training ministry. GFI does not charge for counseling, but is supported through tax deductible contributions. (In Canada, through http://www.CrossWaystoLife.org.) To request resources or inquire about hosting a conference, please contact us.

Grace Notes editor - Dr. John Woodward,
Grace Fellowship International.
President of GFI - Dr. Charles Solomon,
P.O. Box 368, Pigeon Forge, TN 37868 USA. Phone: 865-429-0450.
Home page: http://www.GraceFellowshipIntl.com
International tracts: http://www.SolomonPublications.org
Distance Education: http://www.GFICounselingInstitute.com
John's book: http://www.BiblicalPsychology.net
Photos: http://www.KodakGallery.com/gfi
Children's Ministry: http://www.CarawaySt.com
GFI Bookstore: 1-888-66GRACE (toll free in USA)

Subscribe ...

Subscribe to receive Grace Notes for free!

You may also wish to read ....

Next article by date ...

Jesus Christ, Our Great High Priest by Bob Hoekstra

Other suggested publications by John Woodward ...

The Value of Humility by John Woodward
The Snare of Pride by John Woodward
From Rags to Riches by John Woodward
Humility and How I Obtained It by John Woodward
From Doctrine to Experience by John Woodward
Planning For Growth by John Woodward

Biblical Counseling Series