Faith

by Debbie Wallis

“Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment," Hebrew 6:1-2 Spiritual infancy is simply the lack of growth after being born again in Christ The spiritual infant is concerned with self rather than serving and looks to people rather than the Lord for answers Ever born again believer in Jesus Christ has been a spiritual infant. God wants you to learn and remember the elementary principles of Christianity and progress beyond them The fundamental doctrine you must know and believe is that Jesus is God in flesh and He took your sins in His body and paid the penalty when He was crucified on the cross Jesus died, was buried, and rose from the dead and that you are justified by faith when you believe He is who He says He is and did what He says He did Truly believing that gives you a grateful heart. It is only due to Christ's work on the cross that you are able to press on to maturity as a follower of Christ

Jesus’ teachings on the basics are what the author of Hebrews is getting at The basic doctrines of Christianity are to be studied as an infant would feed upon milk for survival. Once the foundation has 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 your actions and words Learning doctrine requires your mind to understand it but the teachings of Jesus Christ deals with issues of your heart and requires obedience Maturity is when your understanding of truth and your action are one and the same God wants you to mature in Christ and to grow The only way to perfect your relationship with God and improve your walk in holiness is do it by faith and obedience to His Word. “I'm convinced that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it through to completion on the day of Christ Jesus,” Philippians 1:6. God always provides the way, and gives you the power, to fulfill what He has called you to do. God works faith in the believer (John 6:29), God has given everyone a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves," James 1:22 A mature Christian lives the knowledge of God’s word Maturity does not know more doctrine Maturity can only be judged by the standard of what it is to be more like Christ Jesus said, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me," Luke 9:23 Jesus was God in flesh 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

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

7th Grade Girls Finish Second In District Tournament

1st and 2nd grade Lady Bulldogs win first place

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They played won three games which were a 28-8 win against Tom Bean, a 28-8 win against Bells, and a championship win over Whitewright by a score of 18-7.