BASIS OF CHRISTIANITY

Text
“He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He walked.”  I John 2:6 (KJV)

21. “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His Steps: ‘Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth’” (Ref. ISAIAH 53:9).
– I Peter 2:21-22 (NKJV)

Aim
To enumerate the importance of – and give a clear introduction to – God’s real purpose for sending Jesus Christ into the world.

Importance Of The Basics

• Why Jesus came – His Purpose (John 10:10).

• Reading and meditating on the Word Of God (John 5:39; 2Tim.2: 15; Matt. 4:4; Joshua 1:8).

• Developing the discipline of prayer life with Christ (1Thes.5: 17; 1Tim.2: 8; Luke 18:1; Mark 1:35; Psa.5: 3, 88:2, 109:4; Prov.15: 8; Phil.4: 6).

• Faithfulness: The first thing to learn in relating with Man and God. (2 John 4; 1Cor.4: 2; 16:13; 2Cor.15: 58; Psalm 89:1,5; Matt.16: 24).

• Sanctification and Consecration. (Rom.12: 1,2; 1John2: 15-17; 1Tim.2: 9-10; Col.3: 1-17; Heb.12: 14; Psa.1: 1-3; 1Cor.15: 33; John 17:17).

• Liberality of Finance.  (Luke 6:38; Malachi 3:8-12; Prov.3: 9-10; 2Cor.9: 6-11; Matt.5: 42; James 2:15-16).

• Evangelism. (Matt.28: 18-20)

Introduction

The fundamental pillars of the Christian Faith rest on the Principles Of Walking In Christ’s Steps.

Believers in Christ strengthen their faith (in Christ’s words, life examples, trials, crucifixion, death, resurrection and glorification) through the reading, understanding and practical followership of the Christ, which the Bible clearly wrote about.

Jesus Christ is the only foundation on which the Christian life is built (Acts 4:12).

Then, a layer of growth (the doctrines of Christ, mixed with the basics) comes on top of that saving faith foundation. The Importance Of The Basics breaks down the divine requirements for those who believe in Jesus as the Bible guides.

The third layer then enumerates the benefits of Christianity as stated in the following sub-headings:

(i)        Life & Joy Of Salvation
(ii)        God’s Holy Kingdom
(iii)        Heaven & Hell Are Real!
(iv)  Abstinence From Sins, and
(v)        Value Of Christianity

Life & Joy Of Salvation

The main aim of Christianity is to give God’s type of joy to humanity – reconciling Man to God!  Immediately a Man gives his life to Christ, he assumes a new identity, having a new life (2Cor.5:17).  All the attitudes of such a believer changes.  He or she now thinks, says, and does whatever glorifies God.  He or she then takes possession of all the evidences of a BORN-AGAIN believer, running in his or her new life.  He or she starts to love God, without difficulty, with his or her body, soul, mind and being (Deut. 6:5, Matt.22:37).  He or she hates evil and deeds of evil-doers (Psalm 15:4a).  The Christian is always very happy with God, in whatever situation he finds him or herself.  He or she becomes very contented with Godliness and God’s will, believing in eternity.  (1John 2:17).        Read Psalm 85:9-13; John 5:24.

God’s Holy Kingdom
The main essence of living uprightly, and bearing the sacrifices of righteous living is for that believer to be eligible to eventually enter God’s kingdom (John 3:5).

To enter God’s eternal kingdom, a Person must:
(i)    …give his or her life to Christ (John 3:3)
(ii)     …possess true faith in Christ, and genuine love for others (James 2:5)
(iii)  …be persevering (Luke 9:62).  In this vein, one must shun all indecisions         about God and refuse to backslide into worldliness.
(iv)  …Be totally obedient to God (Rev.22: 14)
(v)   …give sympathetic service (Matt.25: 34-35)
(vi)  …be humble (Matt.5:3, 2Chro.7:13), and
(vii) …be able to encourage him or herself in faith (Acts 14:22), knowing that Patience is golden.

The Kingdom Of God is coming with power (Daniel 2:44, Mark 9:1, Acts 2:2-4, 1Cor.4:20, Rev.11:17).  The Kingdom Of God is near at hand! (Matt.4:17, Luke 21:31)  The LORD’s Kingdom is for us to inherit if we keep obeying God’s Commandments.  Then, we shall not face the second death but rejoice in Jesus Christ.

Study Matt. 16:28, Luke 22:30, 23:42; John 18:36; Phil.2: 10; Heb.1: 8; Rev. 11:15; Rev.17: 14.

Heaven & Hell Are Real!
Heaven is the dwelling place of God (2Chro.30: 27; Luke 11:2; Acts 7:49).  It is also the future home of the Saints (Believers in Jesus Christ) John 14; Rev.21: 22.  Heaven is a safe deposit for our treasures (Matt.6: 20).  Heaven contains the register of the Saints – The Book Of Life. (Luke 10:20; Phil.4:3; Rev.20:12,15)  Heaven has room for all believers (John 14:2).  The glorified Christ entered into Heaven. (Acts 7:55-56).  The hand of God built the Heaven(2Cor.5:1; Heb.11:10).

On the other hand, Hell is a frightening truth.  It is very real.  In the original Greek script, it is called Gehenna: the place of punishment, torment, and retribution (returns, rewards of evil done while on earth.)  Read Matt.5: 22,29, 10:28, 18:9, 23:15,33; Mark 9:43; Luke 12:5, James 3:6.

The Bible also speaks about another Hell, which the Greeks call Hades.  This is simply the abode of the dead. (Matt.11: 23, 16:18; Luke 16:23; Acts 2:27; Rev.1: 18, 6:8, 20:13).  Now, the reality is that Hades keeps those who died physically.  It is not a place for unbelievers alone, but the world of spirits.  Hades remains a transit place for mankind irrespective of where they are expected to spend their eternity.

So, where would you like to be when you pass on?  Heaven or Hell?  It depends on what you choose to believe or do about Christ today!  Some people find it difficult to forgive unless the offender comes to cringe under their feet in agony.  Some others think they show love to their friends when they act as faultfinders or informants (harbinger of bad news) between two authorities… even between Ministers Of God!  They keep the darkness of bad blood, malice and strife within the Church.  God looks at them and His wrath is kindled:  Such people are enemies of God.  So, when their trouble comes Heaven shall reject them, no matter what service they offer in the fellowship!  Whoever keeps his or her bad characters and disobeys God’s words – or despises His servants… or postpones his or her day of Salvation sows a seed for Hell.  To benefit from Christ’s love and grace, such people need to repent and be truly converted (Acts 3:19).

Abstinence From Sins
No man is exempted: All have sinned and have come short of God’s righteousness and glory.  Awfully true: So, the moment we give our lives to Christ, we should leave the works of sins behind.  It is dangerous to always hope for forgiveness while willfully launching ourselves into the depths of sin… God makes us to rise steadily as we live for Christ.  But the moment we commit sins we plunge down from the heights so deeply.  Rising in Christ-likeness is slower than the rate of fall after avoidable errors.  Little sins weigh heavier than many good works!

Read Galatians 5:19-26.  Note verse 25 and walk in the spirit by seeking Christ’s help for you to obeying all the commandments from God.  Obeying the inspired words of God through His Ministers, as prescribed by the Bible keeps our souls away from eternal damnation.

Value Of Christianity
Perhaps, the summary of God’s purpose for sending His only begotten son is in 1John 1:3 – ‘So that we might have fellowship together with Christ and GOD the Father.’

Christ came to give us full JOY OF SALVATION (1John 1:4).  The Father does not want Jesus’ blood to be shed in vain.  Hence GOD created, among others, a condition for our being blessed as we worship:

We must believe that Jesus is the light, and avoid doing what would categorize us among those who walk in darkness.  Then, when our obedience is proven, Jesus’ blood will be magnificently beneficial to us.

We need to confess our sins daily.  God is faithful and just to forgive us each time and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  His GRACE shall then justify us, making us Holy (1John 1:3-10… Note verse 9)

The value of Christianity includes:
(1)   1John 2:1; Rev.1: 5.  Christ becomes our advocate in heaven.  For it is impossible for us to be declared just before a righteous God in judgment, without Jesus’ blood atonement.
(2)   Eccl.7: 12; Phil.4: 9; 2Peter 3:18.  We only know Christ when we obey God’s will.  Hence, the knowledge of Him grants us favour and supply of all our need.
(3)   Psalm 103:4; 2Cor.5: 17.  Being Christians in practicality separates us from the destruction that awaits the unbelieving world.
(4)      Matthew 24:1-51.  Being Christians in practicality, we shall not witness the tribulation period.  For the rapture of Christ-believers precedes the seven gruesome years of end-time tribulation.
(5)   Luke 23:43; 2Cor.12: 4; Rev.2:7.  We shall be with Christ in the heavenly, eternal bliss, if we acknowledge our sins today and pray for mercy.

Questions For Discourse

1.        Discuss the purpose of Jesus’ first coming (John 10:10)
2.     Will Jesus ever come again?  What would be His new purpose? (1Cor.15: 23-28; 2Peter 3:7-15; Jude14-21).
3.     The fundamental pillars of the Christian faith rest on the principle of ‘Walking In His Steps’ Discuss.
4.        Explain how a person could receive the Joy Of Salvation in living a Christ-like life.
5.     Can you mention the Seven Steps to take to be assured of entering God’s Kingdom?
6.     What are the Values Of Christian Life?
7.     Is it possible to abstain from sins?  Defend your position on this issue.
8.     What is your understanding about the End-Time?
9.     What is the Tribulation Period all about?
10.   What about the Judgment Day?

Conclusion.
Seeking God with all our hearts ensure that we see God in our flesh.  Our life on earth would be meaningful as well as our heavenly sojourn. (Jeremiah 29: 11-13; 3 John 2.)  Prayerfully Study at home: 1 John Chapters 1, 2 and 3.

Coming Up NEXT, in two weeks…
BIBLE STUDY TWO –
HOLY SPIRIT: A DIVINE PERSON!

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