Christianity 101

The God of the universe wrote THE Book on reconciliation. If you by His grace are among the twice-born, you have a much deeper appreciation of this fact than most people—you know, particularly those traveling on that broad road cited in Matthew 7:13-14. Many have scarcely even considered that they are in rebellion against our HOLY Creator God and desperately need to be reconciled! Revisit Proverbs 14:12; John 3:36. Christ followers recognize and believe the biblical testimony that prior to His finding us in our sinful state, we too were at enmity with God, having inherited a sin nature from our parents, and they from theirs, going all the way back to Adam and Eve. Clearly, given the present state of humankind, no mere man could have devised such a brilliant redemption plan as that which is laid out in the Holy Bible.

I’m glad that my Savior did not leave it up to me to produce some kind of a resume of right living before choosing me to inherit His eternal salvation, says Romans 5:8.  He provided for my reconciliation through a divine Mediator—His only begotten Son—whom He sent into this world that I may have life and that more abundantly [John 10:10]. Are you living the abundant life? I’m not endorsing any “prosperity gospel,” or other unscriptural teachings that have led so many down a path of disappointment with God (See 2 Peter 2:1-3).

Our Lord desires that His elect people daily enjoy His peace and forgive those who may have offended us in some way, that we always walk in meekness and humility. He desires that we continue to be students of His word in order to rightly divide the same and capably (again, always in humility), share with others the reasons for our faith in the God of the Bible. The abundant life includes our gathering on a weekly basis with other like-minded Christ followers, offering encouragement and receiving the same—all things for which our Savior died and rose again that we might enjoy. If these scriptural practices do not describe your relational walk with Christ, confess the same, seek His Spirit’s help in genuine repentance, and be reconciled to true fellowship with Him.

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for the gift of Your precious and unique salvation—a gift which no mere religion on this globe can duplicate, nor their claims deliver. Renew our hearts to strive daily to walk worthily of Your high calling in Christ Jesus, in whose name we pray and give thanks; amen!
By Sis. Denise Diggs