Becoming a Christian

The Spirit works by giving himself to men as men give themselves to him. As man gives himself in surrender and consecration God responds by giving the Spirit, who gives power for life and witness. God has taken the initiative in the saving process by sending his Son as Savior and his Spirit to convict men of sin. God works through the revelation which he has given of himself in his word. But man must respond to what God does and then he will find God responding by doing what he has promised to do in his word. God's work in man's heart is conditional by what man makes it possible for God to do. Man's response to the convicting and drawing of the Spirit is most commonly spoken of as repentance and faith. In Christ God comes to man. In Christ man comes to God. God became man, that man might come to him. He gave his Son that we might become sons of God. Since man by his sin separated himself from God and since sinful man could not reach up to God. God must come down to us. In Jesus Christ he has done just this. "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16. This is the very heart of the Christian faith. For it pleased the Father in him should all fullness dwell and having made peace through the blood of his cross. By him to join mercy and truth and bring together righteousness and peace to reconcile all things unto himself. Scripture could be piled text on text showing this fact. So I'll give only a few. Colossians 1:19-20- Matthew 26:28- Galatians 3:13- II Corinthians 5:21- I Peter 2:24- Revelations 5-9- Psalms 85:10

The Challenge of Humanism

Humanism, unless accompanied by and rooted in a firm faith in God as revealed in Jesus Christ, tends toward a denial of the supernatural. Humanism, as used here, means the overemphasis on the ability of human beings to do all for themselves that needs to be done, so that it does not matter whether there is a God or not.

Christian humanism does express the Christian vision of the infinite worth of the individual, and the Bible itself emphasizes that humankind is the acme of God’s creation.

The difference between Christian humanism and all other forms of humanism lies there in the doctrine of creation. God made people. People did not make themselves. We are not complete in ourselves, nor are we self-sufficient. We could list the five component parts of the Christian doctrine of human persons in this way: (1) We are finite, as over against the infinite God. (2) We have freedom and responsibility; we are accountable for what we make of our life and our world. (3) We sin and alienate ourselves from our Creator. (4) There is no human solution to the human problem of sin. (5) We must turn to God for saving grace and reconciliation.

Since the Christian gospel is the good news of God’s grace as revealed in Jesus Christ, there can be nothing more relevant to the needs of humankind in any age. We must preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Prayer Changes Things

Lord, I pray that you let me grow each moment, as I prosper in your kingdom of unity and fulfillment. Keep my heart tender and my attitudes flexible. Keep me ever reaching, ever growing, ever longing for greater heights in Thee. Keep me always reaching for motivation and an establishment to build my life upon. Keep a humble and forgiving spirit within me. Let me reach to help my brethren when they are burdened or discouraged. Let me not set my thoughts or affections on temporal things. Let me live my life with Thee as my guide. And always know the reality of life eternal. Let me hate sin and shun the presence of evil. Let me know the power and richness of love. Let me always be thankful and enjoy what you have given me. Let me find each new day, a day of challenge to know you in the fullness and to present you to some lost soul, struggling for hope and peace. Help me know the tempters traps and be alert to overcome my weakness. Let me be aware that life is a struggle from event to event. In this struggle, let me reach beyond myself always seeking the welfare and good of my fellowman. And let me know that my prayer can change things and that begins with me.

   A Christian was first called Christian in the city of Antioch after the death and resurrection of Christ.  A Christian is those who have accepted Jesus, the Jesus of the Bible, as their Lord and Savior.  Jesus said He was the way, the truth and the life and no man cometh unto the Father but by Him. (John 14:6)  No one can be named as a Christian outside of their accepting Jesus as Savior.  There are many "religions" who say they are Christian but when you balance what they believe and what the Bible says, they are not Christian. Christianity is simply those who are Christians through accepting Jesus into their lives, letting the gift of the holy Spirit, come into their life, giving them a newness to strengthen their ability to live being obedience in Gods word and desires. Many untruths are being told to confuse you in totally believing in the deity of Jesus. He is the living and begotten Son of our Father God. All power in heaven and earth has been given him by the father,  Some have tried to change the biblical doctrine of the Triune nature of God, God in three person, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, three yet one. (Deuteronomy 6:4, and many other Old Testament and New Testament verses telling us that there are three and they all are one, GOD.) Just like you are one mind, one body and one spirit. Yet you are just one, but each part of you stand out alone. Each the Father, Son and Holy Ghost do different actions and each stand out alone but they are one, just like you are with your mind, body and spirit. The great part of God he wants us to become apart of his family and be in an oneness with him by accepting the Holy Spirit of God to become activity in our life. You will find you will have a new life full of Joy, hope and comfort, you can start it all happening by believing in John 3:16