Seven Things To Do Always - Zac Poonen
Summary
The speaker warns that Satan tries to convince people that obeying all of God's commands is impossible. He emphasizes that living in the fear of the Lord means hating sin and constantly striving to maintain a blameless conscience before God and others. He stresses the urgency of addressing sin immediately and warns against hardening one's heart or becoming complacent with one's conscience.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Do we take God's commands seriously?Satan has convinced many Christians that God's commands are difficult or impossible to obey and that minor disobedience does not matter, reflecting the same mistake Adam and Eve made.
1. Live in the fear of the Lord alwaysLiving in reverence for God means hating evil and always doing our best to maintain a blameless conscience before God and men.Proverbs 23:17
The danger of a hardened conscienceDelaying obedience to conscience hardens it over time until a person no longer feels sin, resembling spiritual leprosy, which requires asking God to restore sensitivity.
2. Set the Lord always before meConstantly setting the Lord before us means seeking His approval in everything rather than caring about the opinions of people, viewing every daily task as sacred in His presence.
3. Rejoice in the Lord alwaysTreating scriptural commands as optional is a trap of the enemy; true believers seek God diligently until they receive the grace provided in His word to obey.
Sorrowful yet always rejoicingPaul experienced severe trials and afflictions yet maintained deep inner joy, separating his sorrow over spiritual shortcomings from his constant rejoicing in God.2 Corinthians 6:4
Always giving thanks for all thingsBecause God makes all things work together for good for those who love Him, we can offer the sacrifice of Thanksgiving even when it is difficult and costly.Ephesians 5:20
4. Pray alwaysPraying continually does not mean being on one's knees around the clock, but maintaining an attitude of constant, helpless dependence on God just like a branch connected to a tree.Luke 18:1
5. Speech always with graceOur speech toward family members and others must always be filled with grace and seasoned with salt, knowing how to respond appropriately to every individual.Colossians 4:6
6. Always carrying in our body the dying of JesusWe must inwardly die to our self-life, reputation, and personal wishes daily so that the life of Jesus may be manifested through us.
7. Always abound in the work of the LordBelievers are called to be steadfast and immovable, continuously seizing opportunities to serve and bless others as the ultimate expression of the Christian life.1 Corinthians 15:58
