This week, Michael writes: The Bible is the best-selling book of all time. Many intelligent people enjoy reading the Bible. As an educated person, I think you would enjoy reading it if you took the time to check it out.
Many of the people we meet are not familiar with Christianity. They have never been introduced to the Bible; the revealed Word of God. As followers of Jesus Christ, our “great commission” is to go and make disciples of all nations.” Our calling is to tell others about Jesus Christ, teaching everything that He commanded and then let the Holy Spirit move in their life. As Christians we need to focus on the basics, to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and him crucified. We are to encourage an abiding relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ and to be a positive influence as we chase after our brothers and sisters who chase after Christ.
The vision is to transform lives, creating a culture to change lives, and to influence the world for Christ. Oswald Chambers said, his mission wasn’t to develop a successful Bible college but to create an environment where the Holy Spirit can come help Himself to our lives. The stronger Christian we become, the more benefit we are to bless those around us to God’s glory. Only a truly transformed life can produce lasting fruit. Abiding and living in Christ is the key to a truly transformed life. Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5). Abiding with and within Christ is the purpose of Believers.
Our goal is to bring glory to God by bringing forth lasting fruit, and to shed the light of truth in the world of darkness. Those who have eyes to see will see according to the Spirit of life in Christ. To those whose hearts abide in Christ’s heart God will reveal to them his grace in our lives. According to 1 John 1:9, even though Christians are born again of God’s Spirit, we will continue to sin in our flesh, the natural flesh nature we inherited from Adam. Sin is breaking our fellowship with God by not do what God says to do or by doing what God’s says not to do. 1 John 1:9 says that when we sin, if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Salvation is all of thee God and none of me. For by grace are you saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast. According to Galatians 2:20, For I was crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ lives in me, and the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the son of God who loved me and gave himself for me. To crucify is to execute by nailing the person guilty of a capital offense to a cross. The cross is the “torture stake” to execute the criminal in a humiliating and excruciating public execution. Because Jesus Christ willingly allowed His execution, sacrificing His innocent life for our guilty life, Jesus Christ who was without sin was made the perfect innocent sacrifice for sin on our behalf that we may be made the righteousness of God in him.
Let's continue Michael's message in the next regular post. on Friday. Tomorrow is a special Thanksgiving post.
In Christ, Brian
No comments:
Post a Comment