Common side effects of life include...

You've probably seen the advertisements for prescription drugs that promise relief from certain ailments.

"Wow, that sounds great."

Then, they mention common side effects that include...

The list is usually long and sometimes these side effects seem worse than the disease.

Life promises a lot. Good stuff.

When young, the "here and now" can be exciting and the future bright.

The Bible's promises are many, too.

Peter, one of Jesus' first disciples, Matthew 10:1-2 calls them "His precious and magnificent" promises. 2 Peter 1:4

But aren't there common side effects of life that may stand in the way?

How can we apply the Bible's promises of VICTORY 2 Chronicles 16:9; Romans 8:31-32, 37; 2 Corinthians 2:14 to overcome life's negative side effects? 

PROBLEMS

Sooner or later, common side effects may appear.

Here's a short list --

Trouble [pressure of any kind] and persecution [mistreatment by others because you believe]. Mark 4:17

Worries, deception regarding material wealth, and to desire what we shouldn't. Mark 4:19

Poverty [in any realm] and bondage to sins or hurtful habits. Luke 4:18; John 8:34; Romans 6:16 

Brokenness, blindness [in any form], and oppression. Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38

SINS

"Do we really need a list of sins?"

Maybe; and here's a reason -- 

Some of us go our merry little ways because we think that we're rich, in need of nothing, and aren't criminals.

"Hey, I'm a good person. I'm not a sinner."

But in the Lord's eyes, we may have been weighed in the balance and found to be lacking. Daniel 5:27; Romans 3:9-18, 23

"You say, 'I am rich; I have grown wealthy and need nothing.' 

But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked." Revelation 3:17

So, the Bible tries to help us when it names sins. Matthew 15:18-19; Mark 7:20-23; Romans 1:26-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21

WHAT'S our response?

Why not seek and receive His mercy [compassion as He overlooks our sins] 2 Corinthians 5:19; Hebrews 10:14-17

and find grace [His undeserved and unearned favor] to help in this time of need? Hebrews 4:16 

Why not also receive His forgiveness and cleansing? 1 John 1:9

WHAT is the answer?

Stop sinning. 

What then shall we say? Shall we continue in sin so that grace may increase?

Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer? Romans 6:1-2

So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 

If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:6-7

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin.  

But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1

WHO is the answer?

It's none other than the Lord Jesus Christ.

He is the eternal Word, God the Word Who was made flesh to be the Savior of the world. John 1:1-2, 14, 18; 8:58; 12:45; 14:7-9; Philippians 2:6; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-3, 8; 1 John 4:14; Revelation 19:11-13

He is the Savior of your spirit, soul, and body. Ephesians 5:23; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

HOW can we live in this?

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. Romans 8:13

But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses.

It is by grace you have been saved! Ephesians 2:4-5

For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God,

not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared,

He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

This is the Spirit He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,

so that, having been justified by His grace, we would become heirs with the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

WHEN can it begin?

Seek the Lord while He may be found; call on Him while He is near. Isaiah 55:6

For He says:

"In the time of favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."

Behold, now is the time of favor; now is the day of salvation! 2 Corinthians 6:2

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says:

"Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as you did in the rebellion, in the day of testing in the wilderness, 

where your fathers tested and tried Me, and for forty years saw My works." Hebrews 3:7-9

WHY have solutions to life's problems?

The Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Matthew 6:8

Jesus taught,

"Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'

For the Gentiles [non-believers] strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. Matthew 6:31-32

The Father ENJOYS providing for His children.

He has hidden spiritual truths from the worldly wise but revealed them to those with hearts of children, Matthew 18:3; 19:14 which was good in His sight. Luke 10:21

"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father is pleased to give you the kingdom." Luke 12:32

He [Father God] Who did not spare His own Son [Jesus] but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things? Romans 8:32

The plan of salvation, which is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, pleases God the Father. Ephesians 1:3-11

The Father laid on His Son, Jesus, sins, torments, sicknesses, and diseases so that by His stripes, you and I are healed. Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 8:16-17; 1 Peter 2:24-25

Instead of accepting life's bad side effects, let's find the Bible's promises and established facts of His salvation.

Then, believe and receive them to OVERCOME problems and trouble.

This is for you and me IF we want Him. John 6:37; Romans 10:6-10

Jesus said,

"I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation.

But take courage; I have overcome the world!" John 16:33

Your thoughts?

R. Jason