How to walk with Christ and do good works that pleases God

How to walk with Christ and do good works that pleases God

STATEMENT FROM SOCIAL MEDIA:

What I believe is meant by, walk with Christ, is literally in that all one has to do to become one with Christ or God, is doing good things. If we become like the image of God, ie the perfect example to follow, then we are by proxy becoming God. The more we do that is God-like, the closer we move upward. Even Christ said we could do even greater things than he did

MY REPLY:

‘Good works’ are good, but it counts for nothing if it is your own works. Paul says in Gal.2:20-21,

20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

“I live, yet not I, but Christ.” How does that happen? Only one way: By the word of God that dwells in you richly, Col.3:16, which renews your mind and influences your thoughts and ways. You cannot become transformed into the image of Christ without the knowledge of our doctrine getting embedded in your mind and its subsequent application. As the doctrine steadily increases and starts to transform you, it is then that Christ lives in you, producing the fruits of righteousness, Rom.7:4

4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God.

The importance and value of spending time in God's word

The importance and value of spending time in God's word

Friends, this world is a busy place with many distractions that have no value in the context of the spiritual and eternal things we have been called to. We are instructed to walk by faith, not by sight. Faith is the knowledge and spirit one gains when spending time in the written word of God, which as Jesus says, is God's Spirit and life, Jn.6:63. In addition, it is the truth and the wisdom of God, and the ONLY thing in this world that can help us escape the vanity and voidness of this shadow of reality.

I'm not trying to be poetic or dramatic. I am absolutely serious. If we deny ourselves time in our God-given doctrine, Romans to Philemon, our minds veer quickly back into carnal behaviours which is at enmity with God. We deny ourselves the strength and fortitude of a sound mind, we deny ourselves the peace and comfort of God's promises, and we deny ourselves the knowledge of God's will and the opportunity to walk in the spirit and power that God affords us through that knowledge.

This is a simple reminder and heartful encouragement, to use the opportunities you have to spend time in God's word, and fill your spirit with the nourishment it needs, not only to take hold of this temporary day, but to prepare oneself for the reality of an eternal life in the ages to come, where those with a renewed mind and transformed heart in the word and will of God, will share in increasing reward and glory in the government of the heavens under Christ. Paul emphasises the benefits of knowing and living by God's word by writing the following to Timothy,

"For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.", 1Tim.4:8.

Allow me to inspire you by this list of 10 passages from Paul's epistles that encourage the validity of a steady intake of God's spirit and truth and to keep your minds on things of greater value and purpose than what this world has to offer.

Not having my own righteousness

Not having my own righteousness

Phil.3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Most of the Christian world, and ALL other religions, strive to produce righteousness by their own works, by effort, or by mental discipline. Yet, the word of God goes forth, by clear instruction, that no flesh shall be justified in his sight. God, our Creator, says that we cannot earn our way into heaven, and we cannot be approved in his sight by our own righteousness. Isaiah says the following,

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

God is absolutely just, and he is the justifier of those who believe in Christ. God sets the standard. God is the one who makes the benchmark of what he will approve as righteousness. Rom.3:26 disqualifies every attempt of man to stand righteous before God. The only righteousness approved by God is the righteousness that comes by faith of Jesus Christ.

Exercising choices according to knowledge of God's word in us

Exercising choices according to knowledge of God's word in us

1Tim.2:3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Many people ask daily what God's will for them is, whether it be for the day, for certain events, or for their life. God has already revealed his will in his word. He wants all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. It's really as simple as that. If you are saved, God desires that you get into his word and study it so that you can grow in knowledge of it. The word of God fills you with his Spirit (Jn.6:63) and will bring you to a deeper understanding of his will, his ways, his judgements, and his great plan of redemption for all of creation.

But what about my questions, like should I take that job, or should I marry that person, or should I invest that money? Well, as you grow in faith and mature in God's word, you will start to make your own decisions as you grow in understanding and judgement. The word of God gives you wisdom and embeds in you the reasoning and judgements of God so that you can make your own choices in the issues of life. Children need adults to reason, judge, and decide for them, but as we mature in spirit and become more like the image of Jesus Christ, like sons, we can start to make judgements and reasoning for ourselves. God wants us to grow up and he desires us to make our own choices based on our knowledge of him and his ways.

Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

Correcting a common misunderstanding of water baptism

I'd just like to clarify that when I post these sorts of posts, it's because I believe they can be a good source of instruction and correction. Paul tells us that the Word of God, rightly divided (2Tim.2:15), is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works, 2Tim.3:16-17. So, in this regard, when someone posts something that does not agree with a rightly divided context, I take the opportunity presented and use it for teaching purposes. God bless.

Social Media Response:

Nobody has ever explained the difference between old Covenant and New Covenant teaching. The things that were required under the old Covenant include tithing and obeying the law and making sacrifices for your sins. Under the New Covenant all is required to be saved is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 2: 8-9, Titus 3:5 - once you have been redeemed and believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior then you need to walk in the spirit, in order to understand what that means read Galatians 5:19 - 25. Baptism in water is included because of the Great commission when Jesus commanded his disciples to go into all the world and proclaim the good news of the Gospel, baptizing in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. If you have not been baptized, you are still saved and still a believer but, because Jesus commanded his disciples to baptize, then we need to be also to follow the Lord's example, BUT JUST REMEMBER THAT BAPTISM DOES NOT SAVE YOU. Read also: Romans 10:9–10.

My Reply:

I am in agreement until the word "baptism". Let me clarify that baptism is also part of the Jewish covenant program which (like tithing) is not to be carried over into our current grace program. Baptism originated under the Mosaic instructions concerning the washings of the Levitical priesthood. Since all of Israel is a kingdom of priests (Ex.19:6;1 Pet.2:9), the purpose of baptism (priestly washing) is applicable to all Jews under their covenant program if they are to enter the Kingdom.

As for the grace program of the Body of Christ, we have only one baptism, and it has nothing to do with water. It is the Holy Spirit who baptises us into the Body of Christ in the instant that a person believes the grace gospel and is saved, Eph.4:5.

It is important to rightly divide the Word of truth and not mix, blend together, the covenant program of the Kingdom with the Grace program of the Body of Christ. Mixing together these programs produces a confusing and contradictory doctrine.

Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is spiritual and makes us spiritual

Our doctrine is a SPIRITUAL curriculum that must be studied IN A SET ORDER. In this post, I’d like to delve deeper into the ‘spiritual’ aspect of the curriculum and investigate what ‘spiritual’ really means in this regard. 

Rom_1:11  For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established;  [12]  That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 

‘Spirit’ and ‘spiritual’ in the context of Paul’s epistles has a few meanings, including the spiritual dimension and its entities and spiritual gifts. However, the predominant meaning, which may come as a surprise to many, is that it refers to the Word of God. It is Jesus Himself that revealed to us that the words He spoke ARE SPIRIT and life, Jn6:63.

As you read the following verses in Paul’s epistles, take note that the word ‘spiritual’ bears reference to the written or verbalized words of God shared by the apostle, or to the knowledge gained and applied from the Word of God, or to the individual who has matured in wisdom by the Word of God.