As Christians, we must realise that we live in a constant spiritual war. We were born under the system of sin, so there is not a single person who is righteous and deserves eternal salvation. 

“They have all turned aside;They have together become unprofitable

There is none who does good, no, not one”

Romans 3: 12

And after we had mapped out a path to destruction, God poured out His mercy on us, sending us plan B. Jesus, in an act of obedience and love, would accept death for sins and mistakes that were not His. So, through disobedience, we all become sinners; but through the obedience of one man, many will become righteous. 

“ For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous”

Romans 5:19

Within us there are two elements that battle against each other: the spirit, which is guided by the Word of God; and the flesh, directed by our will, desires and passion. And following God comes down to one thing: killing our flesh (not listening to or obeying natural desires), and living by the spirit (feeding it with God’s Word). 

Living life according to our carnal nature is much simpler and more practical, and that’s the way the world lives. They are blinded by sin, sin that leads them away from God. Despite the practicality of this way of life, it sets us on the path to an eternity of pain and suffering.

It’s a matter of choice, if I decide to live my life enjoying every pleasure that the world gives me, in the end I will lose it and spend eternity in darkness. But if I lose my life, letting go of my desires in order to do God’s will, then I will secure my place close to Jesus for ever and ever. 

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Matthew 16:25-26

To summarise, there are points that must be followed: 

1. Assume that we are sinners and don’t deserve anything good.

2. To be grateful for the sacrifice that was made to give us salvation.

3. Getting out of the world’s system: acting in the opposite way to our colleagues.

4. Listening to God’s word and putting it into practice.