Showing posts with label "A Christian must". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "A Christian must". Show all posts

Saturday 27 October 2018

A Christian must

A Christian must

The Apostle Paul when writing to Timothy said,
"All Scripture is God-breathed  and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16,17
I believe we must therefore study scripture thoroughly and in its correct context. To take scripture out of context is wrong and can have eternal consequences.
I believe that the only infallible source of teaching is the Bible. And that when there seems to be an error in teaching it is the person teaching not the Bible who is in error.
I believe that it is every Christians duty to serve God in what ever capacity they can both inside the church and outside.
I believe also that Christianity is a way of life. That we must live that life to the best of our ability, to honour God, in word, and in deed.
I believe we should live our life humbly as a servant of God. That it is only with a servants heart that we can truly win souls for Christ.
I believe people should not have to be told we are a Christian. That the actions of our life should tell those around us that we are true servants of God, without us having to utter a word.
Like Francis of Assisi wrote we need to,
“Preach the Gospel at all times 
and when necessary use words.” 
                                          Francis of Assisi
I believe what Matthew recorded in his Gospel,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  Matthew 28:18-20
I believe that  we must do this first of all because it is a command from our Lord himself and secondly that our failure to do so has eternal consequences.
I believe that we have no right to judge a person that is God’s place not ours. That we must be very careful what we say. Matthew 7:1,2 states clearly,
“Judge not that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use,  it will be measured back to you.”Matthew 7:1,2
I believe the words of Jesus recorded by Luke,
“Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. 
Forgive and you will be forgiven.”Luke 6:36,37
      We cannot afford to go into a sinful world, a world that does not recognize God or the law of God, with a judgmental attitude.
They will only turn us off and look for thing with which to judge us. Such actions also have eternal consequences.
I believe that the only way we can reach the world for Christ is to love the world. We must remember Jesus came into the world to save the world. Not to condemn it.
John’s gospel recording,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”John:16,17
I believe we like God, must show unconditional love to the world around us, neighbours, friends and even our enemies.
True Christian love expressed in the words of the apostle Paul to the Corinthians who said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 
it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain:
 faith, hope and love. 
But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                          1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
I believe this is what it is to be a true Christian.
A great light is shining on the Christian. We cannot do things lightly. Our words, our deeds, all have the potential for eternal consequences.
As Christians we are called to be the light of the world to illuminate the way to heaven.
Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16 
Therefore we must do our best to live good lives.
The apostle Peter telling us,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Please if you consider yourself a Christian,
please think about it.