For I through the law died
to the law that I might
live to God.
I have been crucified whith Christ;
it is no longer I who live,
but Christ lives in me;
and the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by faith
in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:19-20
It is a matter of who is Jesus Christ to you. Is He just an angel? Is He another God? Is He a brother of Satan? Was He just another prophet? Or, was He the Messiah, the Savior long expected by the Hebrews? Did Jesus Christ die on the cross in vain? This He would have done if He is not what He claimed to be: the Son of God and His death changed everything in regards to our personal relationship with God. It is now that Jesus Christ lives in a person who has committed himself/herself to Him and converted to Him so that His love in me causes me to live for Him. When it is said that Jesus Christ lives in us; then it is His living in us and that by the Holy Spirit: "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession to the praise and of His glory" (Ephesians 1:13-14). This is the Doctrine of the Bible, Jesus Christ came as Savior, the Son of God, God in human flesh to pay the debt of sin. If a person does not believe this to be truth, and follow Him, then their lives can be lived anyway they may desire. It is the very foundation of our faith that determines what we believe and how we live. You see, if Jesus Christ died in vain, how can we say that hose who believe have been given eternal life while those who reject Jesus Christ are objects of the wrath of God? Would not this be unfair? Jesus Christ is the foundation of Authentic Christian faith. Yet, many today who have accepted cultural Christianity practice a faith that often produces no greater morality than the that which is practiced by those who categorically deny the essentials of the Christian faith. The problem lies in faulty understanding of God and what He requires of us in term of practical Christian living.
What is practical Christian living according to Scripture? The Bible teaches that we are to be holy and even perfect as God Himself is perfect. Don't confuse being perfect with the false teaching of Perfectionism, they are two totally separate teachings. We grow in Sanctification, arising to the work of becoming perfect, and when we fail to do it we have intercession of Jesus Christ by whom God the Father forgives our sins. Don't confuse this we obstinate continued sin, and no change is occurring in a person' life because he will not stop his sin. God will deal with that: "Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.' Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame" (1Corinthians 15: 33-34). John makes it plain and clear we have forgiveness of our sins if we confess this, and we sin therefore we need a Savior who forgives: this we have: "but if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins,He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned,w e make Him a liar, and His word is not in us" (1John 1:7-10). Living for Jesus Christ who is our teacher, our guide in how to live in this life that is pleasing to God, and is the very principle of God that His children should live according to what He has taught. If we continue to sin willfully, then God will deal with us because we throw defamation on God. Do not confuse God's patience to be His permission: "For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries" (Hebrews 10:26-27). God's teaching are not some isolated instructions, no, when a person carefully studies the Bible they will come to the fact that there are plain teachings, by Jesus Christ, by the Apostles, and those whose writings are inspired for us to know how to live, and that the Bible has strict standards for Christian morality and behavior. It is our Christian character that is a reflection of living in relationship with a Holy God.
God has revealed His doctrine, that is His system of particular principles, that relate to what He has done through Jesus Christ, and His doctrines advocate as to how we are to live, how we are to be converted to His Son Jesus Christ. We can know the truth of His doctrines because they are revealed to us in His Word, impressed upon us by the Holy Spirit. The question is: Do you believe the Bible, or is it just another good book some good moral teachings. Did a Holy God give us by revelation what we need in this life so that our living is according to His will? Yes!
Watch, stand fast in the faith,
be brave, be strong.
Let all that you do be done
with love.
1Corinthians 16:13-14
Prepare Now To Worship God In Fellowship
Richard L. Crumb
Note: I will be on vacation this Monday and Tuesday and will resume this blog on Wednesday. Have a great Sabbath, rest in Him.
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