Living The Josephian Life

When it comes to self-control and sexual purity, people do talk about two persons from the Bible. (i.e) David and Joseph. Thirdly, Samson.

Last Sunday Ps.Prakash(FGAG) shared God's word based on this Biblical character: Joseph. Its a simple, yet very deep and profound truth.

We are well aware of how Joseph's life. He went through the following:

• PROMISE


• PROBLEMS


• PERSEVERANCE


• PROMOTION

1. We have a calling:

For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One He loves. Eph 1:4-6

Do not ever forget your calling in Christ!

So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. Eph 4:17-19

2. World will hate us:

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more... Gen 37:5
If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. John 15:19

3. Trials and tests:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Eph 6:10-18

The only way you can pass through the tests is by staying under the Cross. You can't live your life as you please and expect yourself to be a Joseph. You are bought with a price. Be faithful to the One who has called you.

"Joseph lost his coat, but not his character". Joseph faced the tests day after day. Here he exercised self-control. Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. Prov 25:28. Samson lacked self-control. David was not in full armor when he encountered his test. Beware.For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her. Prov 7:26 I remember the song,"Have courage my boy, say no..."

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit!Gal 5:19-25

4. Walking with Christ

You and God always make a majority. Here the Lord was with Joseph, what else does he want in life?
But while Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him; he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. So the warden put Joseph in charge of all those held in the prison, and he was made responsible for all that was done there. The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did. Gen 39:20b-23

So Pharaoh asked them, "Can we find anyone like this man, one in whom is the spirit of God?" Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, "Since God has made all this known to you, there is no one so discerning and wise as you. You shall be in charge of my palace, and all my people are to submit to your orders. Only with respect to the throne will I be greater than you." Gen 41:38-40

5. Promotion comes from the Lord

Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck. For promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south. But God is the judge: he putteth down one, and setteth up another Psa 75:5-7

Even your bosses are under Christ."The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; He directs it like a watercourse wherever He pleases." Prov 21:1

Samjosh

P.S. A final word: Its of no use unless you practice what you hear!