In Romans we can find the "Seven Pillars of Christianity"; those things which are vital to the support of a Christian life. Each pillar has a supporting role in God's great plan of salvation for man. Here are the "Seven Pillars" found in Romans on which this new series will be based:
Romans 6:23 The gift of God is eternal life
Romans 6:6 Our old man is crucified with Him
Romans 6:13 your members as instruments of righteousness
Romans 12:12 continuing instant in prayer
Romans 10:14 how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard
Romans 8:15 ye have received the Spirit of adoption
Romans 8:18 the glory which shall be revealed in us
This series will give a comprehensive picture of our Creator's requirements which God intends His children to obey. There are responsibilities which we must accept on behalf of the Lord, as the Bible instructs us to, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12) It will take a notable effort to follow some of the principles of Christianity. As if these things are not difficult enough for us to overcome, there are those who will sometimes make you feel as if the Bible is incorrect or that you are not capable of understanding what it says. You can understand the mysteries of God if you will study and ask the Spirit to help you.
Within this series you will see the fundamental divisions in the plan of God for our salvation. Knowing these divisions will help us to follow the Spirit by recognizing the different types of guidance He brings to our life. To know the complete plan will prevent many errors from forming in our minds. Let us strive to build a sound structure in our understanding so we will stand strong in this world.
An overview of the pillars are:
The first two pillars are named: Life Everlasting and Death to the World. These two pillars were completed in Jesus.
The three center pillars represent the areas where we have work to do as empowered by the Holy Spirit. These pillars are named: Holy Living, Prayer and Light to the World.
The last two pillars are called: Adoption and Glory. These will be validated by the Father some day in the future.
The ensuing divisions of the mystery of God will show how the Spirit performs different operations in our heart, which all contribute to the accomplishment of God's plan for us. As you read this series, "The Seven Pillars of Christianity", and their backup verses from the Bible, I pray that the awareness of what God wants in your life will cause a new determination to form within your mind.
Exercise your faith in God and observe how the Spirit implements His activities in your life; you will never be the same.
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
The Christian Life - Fellowship in the Spirit
Fellowship with our friends is great but it is not like the special fellowship of the light that God can provide for us. If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another. 1 John 1:7 If you have walked with the Lord very long, you know that there are not any words that can bond people together like the love of Christ.
One time in Israel this was made clear to a church of about 100 people. Some Saturdays for church service the people brought their lunch with them and after the sermon they shared food and fellowship. We enjoyed this time together as Christian friends, but the Lord was about to show us just how much of a special fellowship He can provide even without words.
In the middle of the week, a hardened construction man walked up to the little church and we later figured out he did this in order to find Christians. Vasiliu, a Romanian, tried to talk to me outside the church building while I was working in the yard. Finally, after many wasted words on both sides for I did not speak Romanian and he did not speak English, the man took a picture from his pocket. It was a well-worn snapshot of him, being baptized in an old four-legged bathtub. I finally understood a word that Vasiliu kept repeating, "Christi." As we looked at each other we knew the common bond between us was Christ, but we could not communicate. He rested awhile outside the church while I wrote down the name and address of the church, in English, and gave it to him. He took it and left.
On Saturday morning at the church, I kept looking down the road to see if Vasiliu had understood the invitation he had received in a foreign language. Then here he came. When he arrived we greeted each other like old friends. Over the next few weeks, Vasiliu went to every member of the church and showed them the picture while repeating the name, Christi. He kept coming even though he didn't understand the preacher or any of the congregation. He accepted us and we accepted him and began to love each other in Christ. We knew we were of one spirit even without words.
After five months, Vasiliu came to church with his arm hurt from his job. Someone figured out that he was being sent home and he wanted to get up in front of the church. As he stood up in front of the church he reached in his pocket and pulled out the tattered picture that we had all become so familiar with. He looked at it and then held it out towards the congregation. With a smile on his face he said, "Christi". There was not a dry eye in the church. We all understood Vasiliu was leaving but he wanted to make sure we knew that our fellowship together over the short time he'd been there was all because of Christ. It was as if he was telling us, "I love Christ. Follow Christ. We are one in Christ."
This was the most wrenching departure the little church ever felt. We had never been able to converse with Vasiliu but our spirits had adhered to each other. It will be wonderful to meet Vasiliu in heaven and maybe he will be without that old picture.
May we each find fellowship with each other in the Spirit!
One time in Israel this was made clear to a church of about 100 people. Some Saturdays for church service the people brought their lunch with them and after the sermon they shared food and fellowship. We enjoyed this time together as Christian friends, but the Lord was about to show us just how much of a special fellowship He can provide even without words.
In the middle of the week, a hardened construction man walked up to the little church and we later figured out he did this in order to find Christians. Vasiliu, a Romanian, tried to talk to me outside the church building while I was working in the yard. Finally, after many wasted words on both sides for I did not speak Romanian and he did not speak English, the man took a picture from his pocket. It was a well-worn snapshot of him, being baptized in an old four-legged bathtub. I finally understood a word that Vasiliu kept repeating, "Christi." As we looked at each other we knew the common bond between us was Christ, but we could not communicate. He rested awhile outside the church while I wrote down the name and address of the church, in English, and gave it to him. He took it and left.
On Saturday morning at the church, I kept looking down the road to see if Vasiliu had understood the invitation he had received in a foreign language. Then here he came. When he arrived we greeted each other like old friends. Over the next few weeks, Vasiliu went to every member of the church and showed them the picture while repeating the name, Christi. He kept coming even though he didn't understand the preacher or any of the congregation. He accepted us and we accepted him and began to love each other in Christ. We knew we were of one spirit even without words.
After five months, Vasiliu came to church with his arm hurt from his job. Someone figured out that he was being sent home and he wanted to get up in front of the church. As he stood up in front of the church he reached in his pocket and pulled out the tattered picture that we had all become so familiar with. He looked at it and then held it out towards the congregation. With a smile on his face he said, "Christi". There was not a dry eye in the church. We all understood Vasiliu was leaving but he wanted to make sure we knew that our fellowship together over the short time he'd been there was all because of Christ. It was as if he was telling us, "I love Christ. Follow Christ. We are one in Christ."
This was the most wrenching departure the little church ever felt. We had never been able to converse with Vasiliu but our spirits had adhered to each other. It will be wonderful to meet Vasiliu in heaven and maybe he will be without that old picture.
May we each find fellowship with each other in the Spirit!
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