20/03/2024
UNDERSTANDING GOD!
“Time To Revalidate Your Christian Lifestyle”
In all spheres of life, people and organizations usually have some sort of “checklist” often put in place, to either direct and guide performance or to serve as an applied standard to determine a satisfactory level of performance.
As Christians, I think it is a good idea to have a “purposeful checklist” to guide our lifestyle and also help in making sure we are not erring in our responsibilities as Christians.
Indeed, to make a purposeful checklist for Christian living, there is a need to consider the “Fundamental” and “Supplementary” rites contained in the various Christian doctrines.
Of course, we know that the disciples were the first to be called Christians in Acts 11:26. In other words, they deserve to be referred to as the symbol of Christian Living! So, what can we learn from them?
To start with: John the Baptist was sent to prepare the grounds for the take-off of Christianity, by calling out all the people; at the time, to repent, and initiating “Water Baptism unto Repentance.” Math 3:1-2; Math 3:11
Given his widely spread action then, it is most likely all the disciples were baptized by John in (Mark 1:4-5,) if not, they were baptized by Jesus in (John 3:22.) The fact is, all the disciples had water baptism! And, like the disciples; to fulfill all righteousness, even Jesus Christ too did water baptism! Mark 1:9.
Therefore, water baptism is a “fundamental” aspect of Christianity! Once this rite is performed, it helps create room for the spirit of God. That is why Jesus said except a man is born of “water and spirit,” he can not be accepted in the kingdom of God. John 3:5
Other than the water baptism, the disciples were also baptized with the Holy Ghost! It is observed that shortly afterward the Holy Ghost's baptism, the Bible confirmed the disciples were able to “continue steadfastly in the Apostle’s doctrine and fellowship.” This implies that the Holy Ghost baptism gave the disciples the “Power” to continue in the Christian lifestyle! Acts 1:5&8; Acts 2:42-47.
Permit me to state here that: Water Baptism is basically to sanctify and cleanse a repentant sinner (believer) for the remission of sins for salvation, and to create room for the Spirit of God. On the other hand, Holy Ghost Baptism is pouring out of the Spirit of God on believers to release in them the “Power of Redemption” to enable them to live as Christians.
Evidently, “Water and Holy Ghost baptism” are Fundamental Requirements in the life of a Christian. Pls, See Rom 6:3-4.
Veering away from the fundamentals, let's now look into the Supplementary rules of Christian engagement: Here, we have the greatest commandment, which is basically: To Love God wholeheartedly! And the second is to Love others as oneself. Math 22:36-39.
Explicitly, the word of God has established that all other laws and prophecies hang on the greatest commandment and the second part, which are both clamoring for Love! Math 22:40.
In other words, “LOVE” simply becomes the center point of Christianity and the yardstick to measure the Christian lifestyle! So, an effort will be made here to outline some essential attributes required in a Christian living, particularly, as they relate to love for God and other people:
1. As Christians, we must delight in the Lord always (in good times and bad times) and put Him First in all things. The love of God must grow in our hearts continuously! Notably, we must consciously “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” displaying it in our attitude and Christian living. Mark 12:30; Math 6:33; Proverbs 3:5; Psalms 16:8
2. As Christians, our lifestyle must please God. And the Bible says without Faith, it is impossible to please God. Christians must live by Faith, exemplify it in everyday living, and hold on to it till the end without compromise! Just like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego displayed huge Faith without compromise in their lifestyle in Daniel chapter 3. See Heb 10:38; and Heb 11:6
3. A Christian must structure his/her life predominantly by the “words of God alone,” and meditate in it day and night. Remember, the word of God is light unto our path! So, Christians shouldn't conform to the pattern of the world and or things in vogue in it: I mean, Christians must not copy how people live, dress, talk, and behave, whether in churches or society. Colossians 3:16; Joshua 1:8; Rom 12:2; Math 4:4, Psalms 119:105 and Deu 22:5
4. Basically, to be a Christian means one loves Jesus and has decided to give his/her life to Him! In other words, you don't own yourself or your life anymore. Hence, as a Christian, one is under obligation to keep and obey the commandments of Jesus Christ! In that case, whosoever disobeys Jesus' commandments is not a bonafide Christian. John 14:15; Math 15:8-9; 2 Thess 1:8; and 1 Cor 6:19-20.
5. A true Christian must not be in “friendships with the world, and must not yoke together with unbelievers” (formal or informal) in any way whatsoever. It means no membership of any ungodly clubs, secret cults, or demonic society. Friendship with the world is enmity with God! James 4:4; and 2 Corinthians 6:14;
6. A Christian must continue to maintain a high standard of Holiness, which comes partly from water baptism, and ensure “zero tolerance” to all forms of ungodliness, iniquity, and sins. More so, should be humble, and submit to God with a clean heart and pure mind. 1 John 3:8-9; Rom 6:17-19; Psalms 24:3-4; Acts 15:20; and 1 Thess 5:22-23.
7. It is the responsibility of Christians to show love to all people by “doing good always,” irrespective of whatever people might have done to hurt them in the past! But, as a sheep amid wolves, a Christian must be WISE as a serpent and HARMLESS as doves! This means, applying the wisdom of God in everything we do! Deu 22:1-4; Gal 6:10; Math 5:44; Math 10:16.
8. Christians must have a large heart to accommodate, tolerate, and forgive others their sins indiscriminately. A Christian must follow peace with all men, rather than creating and identifying enemies. This is simply how to express brotherly love! 2 Cor 2:10; Heb 12:14; Luke 6:37 and Math 18:21-22
9. Like the disciples in Acts 2:44-46, Christians must continue to lay up treasures for themselves in heaven by sharing. This world is not our home, heaven is home! Christians are not expected to lay up treasures in this world, the Bible says it's a waste after all! But, every time one gives to the poor and needy, we are sowing a seed in heaven! The Bible has proven severally that the more we share our possessions with the poor and needy, the more treasures we lay up in heaven for ourselves. Don't end up like the rich man in Lazarus' story, who forgot to lay up treasures for himself in heaven. Proverbs 19:17; Math 6:19-20; Math 19:21; Math 25:40 and John 14:2; Acts 2:44-46; and Luke 16: 19-31.
10. A Christian's life is like a race! We are expected to run the race with certainty by: praying always, sustaining a good relationship with God, doing His will always, and practicing what we preach to the end. There is no looking back in the Christian journey, Jesus is watching and waiting. God can not be mocked! You will reap whatever you sow! 1 Cor 9:24-27; Gal 6:7 and 1 Thess 5:17-19; Proverbs 8:34-36.
11. Above all, the ultimate and greatest commission of a Christian is to go into the world to preach and spread the good news of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ relentlessly! There are no exemptions to this commandment. Anyone who doesn't preach the gospel in words and in their way of life is not a Christian. Jesus has said He will deny such people, before the Father in heaven. Math 10:32-33
That is why it has become increasingly important that Christians carefully revalidate their lifestyle and go back to “obtain spiritual cleansing through Water baptism to create room for the Power to function through Holy Ghost baptism.” We can not “jump the gun” as Christians and expect to be able to function as Christians. Mark 16:15-16; Acts 1:8; Math 28:19-20; Math 10:32-33; James 2:26; and John 3:5.
Therefore, having mentioned some expected basic Christian lifestyle in the checklist above, the intention is for every Christian to do a “quick self-appraisal” to make sure one is not erring in any part of it, especially in the fundamental requirements.
However, it must be emphasized here that without: “Water and Holy Ghost baptism” it is practically impossible to live an acceptable Christian lifestyle! Romans 6:3-4.
This is a wake-up call to all Christians: I hope this checklist will help!
I pray that as we run this Christian race, we will not run aimlessly and we will not fall; but by His grace, we will run with certainty to receive the crown of glory in the end in Jesus' mighty name…
God bless
Evang. Petersen