The death and resurrection of Jesus opened humanity to the reality that there could be so much more for all who believe in the name of Jesus. Christianity accommodates everyone.
The reason we correct wrong doctrines is that we love the people for whom Jesus shed His blood. We don’t attack people, but doctrines. In Acts 15, Paul and Barnabas attacked wrong doctrines and not the people. Jude 1:3 admonishes that we earnestly contend for the faith. We stick with the truth at all cost.
Christianity is not a form of religion; it is a life. Jesus came that we might have life and have it to the full till it overflows (John 10:10). There is nothing as satisfying as life in Christ—it’s a higher life. We were translated from death to life (Colossians 1:13).
Notwithstanding, the devil is very smart and never seems to accept defeat. Once you seem to be on the right track, he wants to hold you up in some form of religion. If you get a victory from one, he tries to trap you in another. Stay on guard; you must not fall victim.
For example, if you get the victory off the world in an attempt to loving God more, the devil won’t stop you, but will stimulate you to love Him in a religious way so that you can fall victim of the law. If you succeed to not fall for the law and choose to stand for grace, he also tries to trap you in intellectualism – you become full of knowledge, but with no results to show in your life.
We must be careful to understand that anything we do of Christianity that is not producing a life in us or the people is not profiting the people. When you know new things, we should see new results out of you.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:32 KJV
Knowledge delivers. The degree of knowledge a man has determines his level of freedom or bondage. Everybody who is free is in some form of bondage. A wise man has some level of foolishness and that’s why when he discovers more, he becomes wiser. What makes you wiser is the eradication of some level of foolishness. So, even a wise man is foolish to some degree. Everything is in levels and classes. That’s why you have to know more and do more so that you can become more.
We’ve been called unto life, not just a practice. It is from that life we judge scriptures or statements. Some people know how to intelligently do certain things and if you judge them by those actions, you may not be right in your assessment.
Christianity is not about who is more intelligent. There are lots of intelligent spiritual illiterates. It’s not that they don’t have head knowledge of scriptures, but what they have in their head cannot produce results for their lives.
I can boldly say that from the day I became a Christian, I’ve been a proof of Psalm 23. Sometimes, when you are in lack, it’s not a function of not having, but may also be a function of you not knowing how to be content. Like Paul, I have learnt to be content.
Paul wasn’t talking about a miraculous power when he said that he could do all things through Christ that strengthened him (Philippians 4:13). He was saying that Christ has taught him to enjoy plenty and to manage when things are not rosy. So, he can cope in every condition he finds himself in.
But when he was praying for the babes in verse 19, he said, “But my God shall supply all YOUR need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Why? Because the babes have not learned of Christ, how to manage in whatever condition they find themselves.
Don’t continue in a Christianity of needs and wants or of sentiments and tradition. Embrace life in Christ and walk through in it. The love of God gave birth to you a new being – manifest Him to your world.
Pastor Preston Idoro.
www.perfectlovebelieverscentre.org