The Goal of Christian Living (Joshua 1:1-7)

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by

Robert Piña
in

Introduction: In Joshua Ch 1:1-7 we see that God placed Joshua over the children of Israel to accomplish what Moses was not allowed to accomplish because of his disobedience towards God, and that is to lead the children of Israel to the promise land. By looking at these verses we can see some principle for Christian Living that we can apply to our own lives. Our goal ought to be set high

The Goal of Christian Living is:

  1. To Move Forward– Vs 1-2 Joshua was to arise and move forward. Time to leave the wilderness and get into the promised land. Failures or victories are in the past, God wants us to live in the present. Don’t live in the past. God has a plan and a future for you. Philippians 3:13-14
  1. Take What God has Given You– Vs 3-4 This was a promise from God that required action by Joshua. Faith requires action. There would be battles, obstacles, enemies. II Corinthians 5:7 “For we walk by faith, not by sight”. Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith in is impossible to please him”. We have the Word of God to lead and guide our steps. 
  1. To Recognize God in Your Life– Vs 5 Our strength comes from God not us. Life is not easy but God presence in comforting. God is with us during our circumstances. Hebrews 13:5 “ I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. 
  1. To Be Strong– Vs 6 We have God’s strength in us to do anything God sends us to do. If it is up to us we will be fearful and helpless. Fear will paralyze a person from moving forward. Psalm 27:14 “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart”. II Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind”. 
  1. To Be Courageous– Vs 6-7 “very courageous”. Obedience requires courage. Courage to keep and to do everything that is in this Bible. Courage to go into the unknown. To face opposition. To conquer what seems like an impossible task. We chose to obey God regardless of what might happen, that’s courage. I Corinthians 16:13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong”. 
  1. To Obey God’s Word– Vs 7 Throughout the Bible we see two choices of man. To obey or to disobey the Bible. Obey it when we don’t agree with it. Obey when it goes against what we think or want. Obey it to our own hurt. To be more righteous not more unrighteous; to be more conservative not more liberal; to be more Christ like and less like the devil. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments”. James 1:22 “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only”. 
  1. To Trust God– Vs 7 “ I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” Trust God. Often times it is easier said than done. We tend to trust in our own selves, or in our friends and family instead of trusting in God. Provers 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding”. 

Conclusion: The Bible is full of examples or goals of Christian living. Of things or people that we can strive to be like. With God’s help we can be encouraged every time we come across a goal for Christian living because it will not only encourage us but also gives us hope for the future.