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Faith
Monday, February 8, 2016
infant would feed upon milk for survival. Once the foundation has by Debbie Wallis been laid you are ready to improve in your understanding, practice and attitudes concerning spiritual things. The doctrine of Christianity is what is common in all denominations. We can only get to the Father through Jesus. That doctrine is vital to believers. What does it mean to repent? What is baptism, and is it necessary for salvation? What is the Trinity? What is the Bible about? Who is the author of faith? What is the resurrection and the final judgment? What purpose does the Law serve in guiding our Christian lives? What will happen when Jesus returns? These all are important questions and the answers guide your understanding. Your understanding is what guides “Therefore let us leave the your actions and words. Learning elementary teachings about Christ doctrine requires your mind to and go on to maturity, not laying understand it but the teachings of again the foundation of repentance Jesus Christ deals with issues of from acts that lead to death, and of your heart and requires obedience. faith in God, instruction about Maturity is when your baptisms, the laying on of hands, the understanding of truth and your resurrection of the dead, and eternal action are one and the same. God judgment," Hebrew 6:1-2 wants you to mature in Christ and Spiritual infancy is simply the lack to grow. The only way to perfect of growth after being born again in your relationship with God and Christ. The spiritual infant is improve your walk in holiness is concerned with self rather than do it by faith and obedience to His serving and looks to people rather Word. “I'm convinced that God, than the Lord for answers. Ever born who began this good work in you, again believer in Jesus Christ has will carry it through to completion been a spiritual infant. God wants on the day of Christ Jesus,” you to learn and remember the Philippians 1:6. God always elementary principles of Christianity provides the way, and gives you and progress beyond them. The the power, to fulfill what He has fundamental doctrine you must know called you to do. God works faith and believe is that Jesus is God in in the believer (John 6:29), God flesh and He took your sins in His has given everyone a measure of body and paid the penalty when He faith (Romans 12:3), "But prove was crucified on the cross. Jesus yourselves doers of the word, and died, was buried, and rose from the not merely hearers who delude dead and that you are justified by themselves," James 1:22. A faith when you believe He is who He mature Christian lives the says He is and did what He says He knowledge of God’s word. did. Truly believing that gives you a Maturity does not know more grateful heart. It is only due to doctrine. Maturity can only be Christ's work on the cross that you judged by the standard of what it is are able to press on to maturity as a to be more like Christ. Jesus said, follower of Christ. "If anyone wishes to come after Jesus’ teachings on the basics are Me, let him deny himself, and take what the author of Hebrews is up his cross daily, and follow Me," getting at. The basic doctrines of Luke 9:23. Jesus was God in flesh Christianity are to be studied as an that possessed all authority in
Heaven and earth. He had the right to do whatever He wanted with us, this world, and the entire universe. Instead He humbled Himself (Phil. 2:5-18). He taught others (Matthew 5). He loved all sorts of people (Mark 10:21). He forgave people of their sins. He died for us even while knowing some would reject Him To be mature in the Lord means to be humble, to teach, to love, to forgive, and if need be, to die for someone else even if they reject everything you’ve done. In our flesh that is impossible and that is why that action points all honor back to Jesus. "But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil," Hebrew 5:14. Sacrifice, obedience to God, distinguishing good from evil--all are perfected in love. All are only possible in love. Jesus said, ''Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with your entire mind.'' And the second is like it: ''Love your neighbor as yourself,’’ Matthew 22:37, 39. Jesus also said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another," John 13: 34-35. Love is a sacrifice because it is other people centered. Love wants God’s best for others.
Page #8 Love cares enough to speak the truth in love to others. Love sacrifices, love considers another more important, love rejoices in the well being and safety of another, love lives with honesty, integrity, and character. Love unites people together, brings out forgiveness, and engages the hearts of God's people to think about holiness, purity, forgiveness, humility, and patience. In infancy there are selfishness, quarreling, arguments, divisions, un-reconciled relationships, unforgiven memories and rejection of discipline. In maturity there is unity, reconciliation, healing, openness to discipline and the manifestation of the love of Christ. Because of what Jesus did for us on the cross, we are able to escape the bonds of self-centered sin and grow in a loving relationship with Christ as we press on towards maturity. It is not mere doctrine that makes one mature. It is living the love of God in your heart, words, and deeds and pointing others to the freedom to do the same. The only way maturity is achieved is when our eyes are on Christ. If you don’t have a Bible please contact me at sfadebbie@yahoo.com and I will provide you with one.
