What we build our spiritual foundation on will determine whether we are building it on “the Rock” or shifting sand, because storms (times of testing) will come:
“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
“Now everyone who hears these says of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand; and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall “ – (Matthew 7:24-28 NAS).
In condensed form, these are the 12 building blocks:
1) The Bible is the ONLY reliable and trusted source God has given humanity to know what we must know to be pleasing to God. (See: 2 Timothy 3:15-17).
2) Jesus Christ was fully man and fully God.
3) Payment for all our sins -- past, present and future -- was made by the shed blood of God on the Cross of Calvary.
4) Eternal Salvation (forgiveness of sins and assured entry into heaven) is obtained by grace and faith ONLY. Good works will never get us saved. (See: Ephesians 2:8-9)
5) Your and my righteousness (holiness) will never satisfy God’s demands. The ONLY righteousness that saves us is the imputed righteousness (exchanged; transferred at the Cross) God gives us free of charge when we make Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
6) God forgives all present sin, (Of course, past and future sin as well), with the possible exception of holding onto Unforgiveness (By all means, See: Matthew 6:15). If we confess our sin to Him – every time. (1 John 1:9 is our promise and assurance). [Obviously God desires that we repent (turn) from besetting sins.]
7) Forgiveness is not optional for those who have hurt us. (We don’t have to “like” our enemies – we just are commanded to love them, by the definitions of love given in 1 Corinthians Chapter 13. Love forgives.
8) Being thankful to God is not optional. (God might well let you wander around in the wilderness for much of your life like He did much of the nation of Israel when they were led out of Egypt and grumbled and complained constantly: See: Numbers 11:1; 14:27-36), and you most likely will never see much blessing or favor from the Lord without passing the “thankful tests.” Attitude and Gratitude is the secret in conquering bitterness, anger, frustration, impatience, feelings (lies) that want to try to convince us that God has let us down – that He’s forsaken us, etc.
9) Conquer selfishness. Out of selfishness springs pride, stubbornness, impatience, bitterness, lack of trust, faithlessness, hopelessness, and leanness in our relationship with God. Hell is full of selfish people who demanded their right to refuse and disobey Truth. Heaven is vacant of selfish people because they chose to treasure Truth and obey it.
10) Pass your tests. Life is about being tested. Testings not only reveals our selfishness flaws … it is God’s most natural way of building Godly character in us. God’s top priority, once we are saved, is to begin building Godly (Christ-like) character in us. That involves pain 99% of the time, because our flesh (self-will) wants God to zap us with it: we don’t want to have to suffer for it like Jesus suffered for it to qualify as our High Priest. (See: Hebrews 5:8)
11) Be DOERS of the New Covenant (with the Old Covenant truths properly and wisely applied as your secure, God-honoring launching pad) – not just readers and agree'rs. Obedience (doers) to God’s Word is the evidence of our faith – the proof of our faith in Christ.
12) Demonoc attacks will be launched against you: BE PREPARED! God tells us plainly in 2 Timothy 3:12 NAS: "Yes, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." Ephesians 6:12-18 is God’s armor we must wisely strive to wear (or apply) daily. We are never to fear the devil or demonic attacks … but we are to learn to discern when they are launched against us and not be ignorant of what to do when they are launched against us.
No comments:
Post a Comment