Basics of Christianity

About the Basics of Christianity
Thomas Jefferson wrote, “It is in our lives not our words that our religion must be read.” Jefferson felt that the true religion of Jesus had been corrupted into a religion about Jesus. How accurate his words are. How many of us are actually peacemakers as Jesus Christ enjoined us to be in Matthew 5:9. Who would forgive an offence seventy times seven times in order to reconcile with his brother (fellow Christian) before offering his gift to God (Mat 5:24) Who turns the other cheek – not resisting evil (v.39) ? Who travels the extra mile or gives away his coat and cloak (v.40 – 41) Who prays for and blesses those who curse them (v.44)? And we’ve only lightly touched on the 5th chapter of Matthew! Jesus concludes in verse 48 with, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

We may count ourselves as Christians, but we need to get down to the basics of our Christianity. One single point treated without due consideration could disqualify us from the Kingdom of God. “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convicted of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” (James 2:8-10) In these last days, some become very comfortable in their present condition – but we would be wise to diligently and earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude 3) There are not many who hold fast to the faith of which Jesus spoke. “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering.” (Hebrews 10:23) That is why Jesus asked the question, “Will I find faith when I return,” (Luke 18:80 – indicating that there will not be a large number of true Christians at His return who are both; believing the faith once delivered to the saints, and living the faith once delivered to the saints.

“Be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” (James 1:22) We should return to the very basics of Christianity – such as solving problems in a Biblical way and laying our lives down for one another. Jesus Christ warned a number of times that the saints must be careful to put into practice the basic truths and doctrines which were once received. Now, in this life, is our only opportunity!

Christianity is hard – no, without God’s Holy Spirit it is impossible. Jesus says, “Assuredly, I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said to them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:23-26).

We should thank God that He gives us an opportunity to reflect and build spiritual character. “Therefore , brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.”
(2 Thessalonians 2:15) “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus .” (2 Timothy 1:13)

What about us – do we claim to know the doctrines of Jesus Christ? Most, claiming to be Christian, would say they know the doctrines of Christ? Do you? Most would say they knew what Jesus Christ taught. But what makes a person a Christian? We know that just saying, “I am a Christian,” does not make a person a follower of Christ. “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14) How well do we, do you, put into practice the principles that Jesus taught?

As the Spring Holy Days of God draw close we need to begin to analyse ourselves, see honestly before God as to where we stand. Through the winter months, struggling with the snow and ice, struggling just to get the necessary supplies in, struggling to get to work, life can be very exhausting. Its all too easy to let down on our relationship with our Heavenly Father. No one would dare claim that they have nothing more to achieve as Christians. We, you who read these words and have not yet made a commitment to Jesus Christ, have the time that remains until the return of Jesus Christ, to become more like him. There is always the risk of falling into the trap of thinking that we have a lot of time still.

In the scriptures, in God’s word, the bible, there is a warning to not fall into the trap of saying to ourselves, “My Lord delays His coming” – this would cause us to be unprepared at His return.

But in Matthew 24:48-51 it says this: “But and if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My Lord delays His coming; And shall begin to smite his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; The Lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looks not for Him, and in an hour that he is not aware of, And shall cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Warren Zehrung