Sometimes we lose sight of the basics to our faith. Those elements of Christianity setting us apart from the world and other religions.
And the basics helping us live out our Christianity.
So, here’s the ABC’s of the Christian Life.
A-F Basics of Our Faith
Abide in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, ESV.
Believe God. What He says and who He is. When the journey turns bumpy, our Christian beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Romans 4:3b, NIV.
Confess. Confession of sin and when we go in the wrong direction. Because sometimes we fall into sin or we fail to walk in the direction God instructed (Proverbs 28:13 and James 4:17).
Declare God’s ways. We declare it to others and ourselves. In other words, preach it. Then preach it to the choir. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3, ESV.
Encourage other believers. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.
Forget what’s behind. Looking back on our life helps us move forward. But Jesus never intends for the past to paralyze us (Philippians 3:13-14).
G-L Truths for Christianity
Give all. We give our heart to Jesus. Yet, it never ends there. Giving Christ everything: our cares, desires, goals, and relationships (1 Peter 5:7, Romans 12:1).
Hope in the Hope-giver. False and weaker forms of hope exist. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” Romans 15:13, ESV.
Imitate Jesus. Not just following Jesus as a one time deal. But follow through by imitating His life (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Join the saints. Unite with other believers in the gospel, build each other up, and protect the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-13).
Know Jesus more. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18a, ESV.
Live on purpose. Be intentional about living the Christian life through the power of Christ (Galatians 2:20).
M-S Basics of our Faith
Make disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19a, ESV.
Never turn back. Only turn back from our old self, never from the cross. “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world…” Galatians 4:9a, ESV.
Obtain the prize. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it” 1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV.
Pray without ceasing. There is power in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:14-16).
Quiet time with Christ. Spend time alone with Christ to mute the world’s constant noise and hear His voice (Mark 6:30-32).
Renew the mind. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2, NIV.
Seek righteousness. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33, NIV.
T-Z Truths for Christianity
Trust in the Lord. “I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalm 91:2, NIV.
Uphold the cause. The Lord upholds the cause of the poor, oppressed, needy, and fatherless. We’re called to the same ministry (Matthew 25:31-40, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 61:1-3).
Value godliness. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” I Timothy 4:8, NLT.
Walk in the Spirit. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” Galatians 5:16, NIV.
X-ray the inner man. X-rays allow us to view the inside for a diagnosis and treatment. The Holy Spirit views our inside to transform us into God’s likeness (Proverbs 20:27, Psalm 139).
Yield to God’s discipline. “…he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” Hebrews 12:10b, ESV.
Zoom in on God’s Word. Zooming in brings clarity to an image or content. As we magnify God’s commandments and promises, it brings clarity to our lives (Psalm 119).
