THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

Before we start with the scriptures remember this from the words on Salvation.Salvation and living a Christian life are separate things.Living the Christian life follows salvation. First let's go into the Gospel of John 14 vs 15 and take a direct quote from Jesus;"if you love me,keep my commandments". Now,this is one of those principles that apply to everyone,from the days that Jesus walked the earth until we have all joined him in eternity.It's really just a matter of believing God and acting on those beliefs.It's also worth mentioning here that the 10 Commandments ,with the exception of keeping the Sabbath,still apply.He is also including the commands given in the New Testament such as spreading the Gospel,helping others,attending church etc.

As a Christian you are left here for a couple of reasons.First and most important,you are here to "spread the word"or to put it in plainer terms,to tell others about Jesus and how to be saved.The second reason we are here is to live a life of some level of service.There are whole denominations now that have these reasons backwards.They focus most of their energy on helping others and social programs while neglecting the more important need to spread the gospel.Christians need a balance of the two with primary focus on witnessing about Jesus.

The new Christian will notice that he,or she,will begin to have changes in personality and attitude as they grow.These things are known as "the fruit of the Spirit", and notice that it is fruit and not fruits...the Christian should eventually have them all.You won't get them all at once but as your prayer life grows and you grow in knowledge of the scriptures. Galatians 5 vs 22 and 23 says"the fruit of the spirit is love, peace,joy,longsuffering,gentleness,goodness,faith meekness and temperance." So,how do you get the fruit?Attend a bible believing church regularly.We are told to assemble ourselves on the first day of the week.That is Sunday,not the Sabbath which is Saturday.The Sabbath was for the Jews.Read your Bible daily.I hear someone say,"I don't understand what I read". That brings in the third,and equally important thing that promotes Christian growth and that thing is prayer. Pray for understanding and the Holy Spirit will guide you in your study.The Bible is like an onion in that it is in layers;just as you find you understand one layer,another layer opens.

In the book of First John and at verse 9 we find this;If we confess our sins,he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.Confess your sins daily and you can be sure they are forgiven.

Now,what about those believers who do not confess their sins, or who are in habitual sin. In Hebrews chapter 12 verses 6,7 and 8 we read, For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth,and scourgest every son whom he receiveth.If ye endure chastening,God dealeth with you as with sons;for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?But if ye be without chastisement,whereof all are partakers,then ye are bastards, and not sons.That is plain enough for anyone.If you do not confess your sin and have it forgiven,or worse,if you continue in habitual sin,then God will punish you.The punishment will be progressively harsher until you repent.In extreme cases death can be the result.

One last thing.You will soon find that church attendance,prayer,study and the other things that go with living the Christian life are not chores but instead are things that you look forward to and enjoy doing.