Our lives are directed by the truths we believe in. Nobody wants to live a lie, so the best thing to do is to find out what is the truth. The Lord Jesus said it's the truth that sets us free (see John 8:32). It's always better to know what is true, no matter how much it hurts, and live by it.
Here are some truths we should know and remind ourselves of each day to be able to live victorious lives.
1. We are but sinners without hope in ourselves
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (NIV). No one on this earth is clean and sinless, no matter how kind, loving, or righteous one might be.
Psalm 14:2–3 expounds the matter: "The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; He looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!" (NIV).
No one is exempt from the truth and the fact that we are all sinful people.
2. We are saved by God's grace alone
No, you cannot be proud of yourself and say that you are accepted by God because of what you do. Ephesians 2:8–9 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (ESV).
Forgetting this truth enables one to become proud and lose humility in light of God's awesome mercies.
3. We are a new creation in Christ
You are made new in Christ. This not only means having a new start, it also means starting as if you are newly-born.
2 Corinthians 5:17 explains our new life by saying: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (ESV).
This means you should throw away who you were before you became born again in Christ. All of your past, including your successes and failures, is to be left behind for you to live the new life in Christ Jesus.
4. We are created anew for God's purpose of reconciling men to Him
We aren't created anew just so we can live purposeless lives once more. No, God has given us an all-consuming purpose and task.
First, our purpose is to be like Christ, according to Romans 8:29: "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters" (NLT).
Second, our task is to work with God in reconciling men to Him, according to 2 Corinthians 5:18–19: "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation" (ESV).
5. We are enabled to live a new life through the power of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit alone enables and empowers us to live the new life God has given us and wants us to live. Romans 8:12–16 explains this beautifully: "So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!' The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him" (ESV).
