Christianity 101

The subject of Christianity is very large. It is the biggest branch of learning the world has ever known. The Almighty would naturally include nearly every topic known to humans in His plans. Because God has allowed His enemy to rule our world, to test us, the Devil is continually attempting to trick people into denying that any learning about the Creator even exists. But a real believer will become truly impressed with the enormity of the things God has prepared for His children. We may at times be overwhelmed when the knowledge of God is revealed to our believing mind. When faced with so many large topics it is sometimes good for us to remember the basics. The Bible says; All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love. 1 Cor 13:12-13 (NLT) We notice here that Paul, who was highly educated, said that he only knew a part of God’s great plan for us. However, as seen above, he clearly states the basics of a Christian life.

Someone said that faith was better felt than told. They were probably right but there are still things we can talk about. Hebrews says several things about faith including the only actual description of faith which is in chapter eleven. But let us look instead at an application of our faith. The Scripture says; And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. Heb 10:19-20 (NLT) The Most Holy Place for many years was a place of instant death for a human being. Do we have the faith to go where no man ever went before Jesus came to die in our place? Yes, it takes our faith to believe that through the Savior we may now approach God face to face. Christians must by faith relate with God on a one to one basis. It is surprising how many people are willing to believe that Jesus died for them but will not believe that they need to face the Almighty and talk to Him as our loving Father. The only way we can walk through the opening in that curtain and face the Almighty with any peace is to dedicate our life totally to Him.

After we learn to use our faith, as the compass of our life, there is still the grind of this old world which lasts year after year. Maybe hope was given to us as part of basic Christianity because we need assistance to maintain our spiritual life until the end of our days. It is reassuring to read; We who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary. Heb 6:18-19   It is interesting that hope also leads us through the new opening in the curtain and that it no longer stops us from meeting with God. This hope begins early in our spiritual life and stays with us until the very end. It is nice to know that we have an anchor that holds us steady while this life flows all around us. Paul said; I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 (NLT) Trusting God with our life (faith) and then relying on our anchor (hope) will give us the reward of peace and joy in our life.

The subject of love is a little more difficult. Everyone is not lovable which means we must somehow be motivated to love them anyway.  We are instructed; Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Heb 10:23-24 (NLT) The Scripture says we should think of some way to show love to others. Some of us need more guidance than others but if we expect God to keep his promise to us then it our job to figure out how to love others. Many times we can show love by simply supporting others in their Christian walk. The servant of God said; We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. Romans 15:1-3 (NLT) Jesus was the ultimate example of self-sacrifice. He and the other New Testament writers encourage us to become involved in self-sacrifice in order to help others and to be like our Savior.

In order for us to do our best in the Christian walk it is necessary to be part of a group of believers. It is not possible for us to show our love for others if we stay to ourselves and do not share what we have with other Christians. Most of us are familiar this next verse; And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Heb 10:25 (NLT) This also shows the world that we are a group that has the same faith and hope in our God. Most worldly people are even aware that when someone needs help (love) they can petition the local assembly of believers for help. When we are doing our very best with these three basics, the Lord then ask us to have; Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. Heb 10:36 (NLT) There may be many things that the Spirit will ask us to do but they will all begin with faith, hope, and love.