Perspectives

Would it be fair to say that we must act out what we believe? If we go back to the day we accepted Christ as our Lord and Saviour, we have no problem remembering how on fire we were for the gospel. We started our walk with Christ well grounded and settled in Him; we were spiritually healthy and enjoyed our daily communion with our Saviour. However, I have become aware, in my own life; my walk and my life do not always communicate or correspond with my faith. I find that it saddens my own heart when the Holy Spirit is grieved and has to remind me that indeed it is dishonourable when I state publicly my faith in Christ but act like I am controlled by a mischievous or playful spirit. There is, at that moment the danger that some will not accept my confession of faith in Christ as being sincere. After all, if I have received Christ, then I should walk as He would have me walk. If I have been rooted in His Word, than I need to grow up according to what His word teaches. All these are outward expressions or evidences of a heart that has been changed by the working of the Holy Spirit. After all, walking with Christ expresses this new life. Growing up, in the Spirit, show signs of inner power. Building up my faith in Christ will reveal that there is progress in my new character…I think that is what the apostle Paul was teaching the Colossians and us today

Colossians 2: 6-10…6) So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7) rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8) See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9) For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10) and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.

When we trust Christ to save us from our sins, we can also trust Him for each day’s problems as well. However, it is very important that we have a close, living relationship with Him. In that close relationship, we are also able to draw nourishment from Him so that we can become strong and spirited in the truth that we have been taught. In other words, our lives should overflow with the joy of the Lord which produces a thankful spirit within us.

The apostle Paul also reminds us that we should not let others spoil our faith and joy in Christ with their philosophies or ways of thinking. The other day I was discussing Scriptural issues with a man who was trying to persuade me not to believe everything that I read in the Bible as being accurate. It was my privilege to remind him that his answers were built on men’s thoughts and ideas, not on what Christ was teaching in the Bible. Because in Christ we have everything, in Christ we have God in a human body; He is the highest ruler over every other power, a power that will enable us to resist seductive teaching. Our faith is strong enough to withstand those who come to us with enticing words or ideas, because we have such a grip of the truth, we are not moved by seductive arguments. We are not moved by anyone who would have us believe that we must follow a whole lot of man made rules to get to heaven. Do not let anyone declare you lost if you refuse to worship something other than the risen Christ. It is true that some have a very witty imagination, but they are not linked to Christ.

I do believe we have to do a lot more than to just believe truths about Christ. We all agree that we have to receive Christ if we are to have eternal life. There is no doubt, in our minds, that we cannot earn eternal life, neither can we buy it…it is after all a free gift from God. Remember we are embedded or rooted in Christ; therefore, we draw our spiritual food from Him. He is our foundation, we started with Christ, and we continue to grow in Christ. We are dependant on Him for our steadfastness in our walk with Him. He gave us the Holy Spirit to reveal Christ in us. That assurance of salvation comes, from none other than, God Himself.

Would you pray this prayer with me…“Lord Jesus, come into my heart. Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I don’t have peace in my heart, I really want that peace, joy and happiness that I long for. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will bring honour to Your Name.” Amen