 |
Basics of Christianity |
Dear Brethren,
Thomas Jefferson
wrote, “It is in our lives and 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 (Matthew 5:9)? Who among us would forgive
an offence seventy times seven times in order to reconcile
with his brother before offering his gift to God (:24)? Who
turns the other cheek – not resisting evil (:39)? Who
travels the extra mile or gives away his coat and cloak
(:40-41)? Who prays for and blesses those who curse
them (:44)? And we’ve only lightly touched on the fifth chapter
of Matthew! Jesus concludes in verse 48 with, “Be ye
therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is
perfect.”
We count ourselves
as Christians, and rightly so, but isn’t it time we got 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 neighbor 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 brethren have 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 brethren who are holding 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 18:8) - indicating that there will not be a large
number of brethren 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) Brethren, we need to 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 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 unto them, With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew
19:23-26).
Thank God that He
is giving 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 – we claim to know the doctrines of Christ? Most
of us would say that we know what Jesus taught. What makes a
person a Christian? We know that 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 put into practice the principles
that Jesus taught?
Let's be careful
not to be lulled into a false sense of complacency. Let us not
be as those who sleep. None of us would dare claim that we have
nothing more to achieve as Christians – would we? God has given
us this time that remains until His coming, to become more like
Jesus. There is always a risk of falling into the trap of
thinking that we have a good bit of time remaining. In the
Scriptures, we are warned not to fall into the trap of saying to
ourselves, "My Lord delays His coming" - which would cause us to
be unprepared at His return.
"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." (Matthew 24:48-51)
***
| Sermon: |
"Basics of Christianity" |
 |
 |
|
