Who's Number One?

1. GOD'S PROMISES for the Christ-Centered Life are Abundant

"For by these He Has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust"
(2 Peter 1.4)

"I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly" (John 10.10b KNJV)

BUT...

2. MAN'S PROBLEM for the Christ-Centered Life is SIN

"For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please" (Galatians 5.17)

Does this inward battle sound familiar to your own life at times?

The following describes three kinds of Christians:

CARNAL CHRISTIAN

Seeks to fulfill fleshly desires
as his #1 priority

Succumbs frequently to the world,
flesh or devil

Service to Christ is usually
non-existent or hypocritical

He demonstrates the flesh by some of the following:

Pleasures of the Flesh: "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery...drunkenness, carousing" (Galatians 5.19-21)

Divisiveness from the Flesh: "For you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal..." (1 Corinthians 3.3 NKJV)

Possessions for the Flesh: "No one can serve two masters; for either be will hate the one and love the other, or be will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth." (Matthew 6.24)

Note: Though a Christian can still sin, a continued practice as a lifestyle of some of the above sins is evidence that the person may not truly be born again. "...just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." (Galatians 5.21)

LUKEWARM CHRISTIAN

Seeks "Comfort-Zone
Christianity" as his #1 priority

Succumbs frequently to the world,
flesh or devil

Service to Christ is conditional,
apathetic or convenient

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth." (Revelation 3.15-16)

CHRIST-CENTERED CHRISTIAN

Though still tempted by the world, flesh or devil, he...

Seeks to please Christ as his #1
priority

Submits consistently to the Holy
Spirit's power

Service to Christ is responsive
and growing

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts." (Romans 13.14)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control."
(Galatians 5.22-23)