"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6)
I strongly feel, that the Christian Church has been commissioned as ambassadors of Jesus Christ not to correct and lay the foundation of the Law on the world, but rather reveal the salvation of the world through the message of reconciliation in their Savior Jesus Christ (John 3:15-18) who has delivered us from the curse of the Law and brought us into His wonderful Grace. The foundation of our Savior Jesus Christ has already been laid and the role of the Church is to help direct and teach how to build on that foundation, by not just be living in the Spirit but walking after it (1 Corinthians 3:6-15; Romans 8:1-3). My perspective of how the Christian life should be and taught is based on commandments of Christ and the example set forth by His apostles (1 Corinthians 3:6-15 and 1 John 4).
Laying the Foundation of Jesus Christ:
Knowing the principal doctrine of Salvation, this based on Romans 10:10 and Ephesians 2:8,9. For Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. For it is by FREE GRACE that you were saved through faith. And this Salvation is not of your own doing, but a it is a gift of God. Not because of works of the fulfillment of the Law's demands, lest anyone should have reason to boast.
Building on the Foundation of Jesus Christ:
Principle: - If your knowledge, wisdom and understanding are poor, what you build will be of same quality. - If your knowledge, wisdom and understanding are great, what you build will be of same quality. Steps of Building:
Know the Character of God.
- By testing the spirit, - By learning whom God is by His Word. Come to the full acceptance of Who God is.
- This is our step of faith, going by what the Word says to be true and not what we perceive, experience and emotionalize which might be telling us otherwise. - Learning to Trust the Character of God and only His Guidance through the Holy Spirit. - Learning what is His Love.
Come to the acceptance and assurance that we are Children of God.
Living, running the race. (Hebrews 6:1-3)
- Having and expressing the Character of God in our lives. - Relaxing in Jesus (taking up his Yoke) - Renewing our minds daily by the Word of God. - Planting and watering the seeds of God. - Sharing the Gospel. Learning what is of God and what is not.
- Knowing we have an enemy who is already defeated but is a deceiver to the World and even God's children.
- The only way we can do this is if we really understand God, and adhere to accurate teaching of the Gospel of Salvation, which is in Christ Jesus.
This is the format that God has planted in my heart, and the vision He gave me. There is of course overlapping on the 4 points of Steps of Building, but that is because maturity doesn't come instantly, it is a growth process and many people are at different stages of Christian growth.
The Church is a family gathering place and not just a filling station for the Word, but it is a daily walks not a Sunday stop. We need to make an effort to secure a base core of people by ministering and sincere fellowship. We need to be a strong assertive group who attends the needs of each individual who walks into the service, and out. We will serve the needs of the community, but always as servants to God. |