1) Righteous Christian Life 

We lived in sin before we believed in Christ.  We were enslaved to sin.  But most of the time we didn’t even realize our bondage, because we had gotten used to it.  When we choose to believe in Jesus Christ, He not only forgave our sins, but also freed us from the bondage of sin.  Now we can be free and live in purity.  Anyone who claims to be a Christian but continues to live in sin is not only a liar, he is not a Christian.

1 John 2:4   ………………………………………………

1 John 2:15   ………………………………………………

1 John 3:8-9  …………………………………………………

A Christian may fall sometimes and sin but he would no live in sin.  His life will become  more righteous daily.

1 John 1:8-10  …………………………………………………

1 John 2:1    ………………………………………………

2) What is sin?

Sin means to operate independent of God.  Anytime we refuse to listen to God and to obey His commands and instead act on our own will, we commit sin.  This sin starts in our hearts and then is displayed in our actions.

1 John 3:4-6  ………………………………………………

Romans 14:23  …………………………………………………

James 4:4-5  …………………………………………………

3) What is the effect of sin?

Sin separates us from God.  It grieves the Spirit of God within us.  Death follows every sin:  spiritual death, mental death, emotional death, and even physical death.

Romans 8:6-8   …………………………………………………

James 1:13-15  …………………………………………………

1 John 3:8   …………………………………………………

4) How can we overcome sin?

Before we believed in Christ, we were prisoners of sin.  We couldn’t free ourselves even if we wanted to.  But after believing in Christ, we are free from the bondage of sin.  This means that we can choose to have a sinful or a righteous life.  We should take the following steps in order to overcome sin:

• Trust fully in God’s goodness

We must wholeheartedly believe that God is good and He desires the best for us.

This is the starting point for victory.  We must have faith that God is willing and able to fulfill all our needs, so we don’t need to rely on the world, on ourselves or on sinful ways to get what we need.

We must also know that, however small it may appear, sin is always destructive and will ruin and kill all that is good and worthy in our lives.  If we continue to live in sin we will lose our salvation and become enslaved to Satan.

Philippians 4:19 …………………………………………………

• Repent from being self-ruling (independent from God)

Self-ruling is the root of every sin.  This means that we want to operate our lives apart from God.  We have sinned if Jesus Christ has not been the Lord of every part of our lives, even if it is a small part.  Not only we should repent of any sin in our lives, but should know that alienating Christ is a big one that we should repent of also.

Matthew 7:21  ………………………………………………

• Live filled with the Holy Spirit

We cannot overcome sin and the flesh with human efforts.  God has given us His Spirit, and when He is in control of our lives, we can overcome the desires of the flesh and sin, reap the fruits of the Spirit, and have a righteous life.  Living a Christian life of righteousness and victory is not only difficult, but impossible without the aid of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5:16  …………………………………………………

Romans 8:13-15  …………………………………………………

     4-  Have proper friendships and fellowships

          We should examine our social life and friends if we love Jesus and want to live a                  

           righteous life.  You should discontinue your friendship with those who cause you

           to sin and instead fellowship with those who are good Christians.  Spend time with  

           them and desire to be like them.

           2 Timothy 2:22  …………………………………………………

Personal Application:

What are the sins in your life?  Pray over the four steps above.  Be firm and serious about your sins.  Do not compromise with it because it will result in your spiritual death.  What are the relationships that entice you to sin?  Stop them and start new ones with the members of your SHABAHANG group.