BASICS OF OUR FAITH

We shall not be effective in service unless we have a firm grasp, both intellectually and practically, of the basics of our faith.

This gaining of knowledge, particularly the practical application, is the life time business of the Christian; but we should make it our business now to have learnt the basics, and to have seen, in some small measure, their relevance and power in our lives.

What are the basics?

The following seven headings, I suggest, cover these basics.

1. The Bible and the right attitude to it.

2. God.

3. The problem of humanity.

4. Christ and salvation.

5. Nature of Conversion.

6. Christian discipleship.

7. Heaven and Hell.

1. THE BIBLE

A right attitude to the Bible is fundamental.

2 Timothy 3:16,17 is a key passage. The Bible is "God breathed" "Profitable for ....".

The Bible is God's revelation and instruction for his people - we seek to understand it, but never question it or doubt it. Our attitude to passages we find difficult to accept, or to come to terms with, is to submit to them, and pray for grace to understand.

In our service, we are Christ's ambassadors - 2 Corinthians 5:20 - we don't speak our own ideas, but God's word. The Bible is God's word, and God's word can only be found directly in the Bible.

Practical - Is this our attitude to the Bible? Would any like to share difficulties with the Bible?

We must be clear about the revelation of God; his relationship to humanity and his requirements of humanity.

The Bible reveals God as Sovereign; Holy; and Loving.

Sovereign.

God reigns as an absolute king. He does all according to the council of his will (Ephesians 1:9,11). He has absolute control over the world, history and humanity. He has a purpose for the world (Isaiah 40:12-end). No one withstands his will, but his purposes are grace and love to those who hope in him.

Holy.

God is holy and he requires holiness from his creatures. "Be holy as I am holy, says the Lord". Together with his holiness is bound up his justice. His holiness can't overlook sin; his law must be upheld and vindicated; falling short of his holy standard means judgement. That judgement is death. Romans 3:23; 6:23.

Love.

God is love. Not at the expense of his holiness. God is totally loving and totally holy all the time. It is impossible that God should not be holy as he loves, and this makes the ideas of God's love held by so many outside Christianity such a travesty of the truth. God's love demands that he finds a way to forgive the sinner, but still punish sin and uphold his holy law.

God's love is of a totally different order than the love of humans. God's love is a total sacrifice. John 3:16; Romans 3:26.

Practical - Have we appreciated this revelation of God. Is our life governed by God. Do we have problems with this Bible view of God?

There is no doubt that the world has problems. It has done all down history. The Bible finds the diagnosis of the problem as a sickness in humanity.

Genesis 3 and Romans 5:12-21 tell us that our first parents rebelled against God and were punished, and the whole human race has suffered the consequences. The world is under God's just displeasure. This means death. The Bible proclaims death as follows:-

a. Separation from God. God is our judge and not our friend. Our need is to be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 6:20.

b. Spiritual death. We must be born again. We have a bias to do evil; our nature is corrupt. Ephesians 2:1-3.

c. Physical death. We are born to die and will die. Our bodies fall sick and decay. Life is full of troubles and woes.

d. Eternal death. Hell after temporal death. Everlasting punishment. Matthew 25:46.

Practical - Have we come to terms with this diagnosis and do we really admit that this is what humanity is like.

The Bible presents to us two basic needs, without which we can't be saved from death and hell, and can't be reconciled to God. We need -

a. Forgiveness and righteousness.

Christ becomes our substitute and representative, and fulfils all God's law for us. He became a man to do it. He fulfilled all righteousness in his life - was perfect. Matthew 3:15.

Because he was perfect and divine he could die as a man for the sins of others, and fully pay the price of sin. Isaiah 53:5,6.

We are forgiven freely by God - God can be just to do so - because Jesus met all God's just demands for our sin for us.

b. New life.

Christ becomes the new Adam and head of a new humanity. We who believe share in his life. When he rose he won new eternal life and a new holy nature for his people. Thus we are born again. Raised with Christ. Romans 6.

Christ's death reconciles us to God.

Christ's resurrection gives us new life to live for God.

Practical - Have we truly trusted Christ for this salvation and are trusting in nothing else.

5. NATURE OF CONVERSION.

Conversion is a very radical change. 2 Corinthians 5:17.

It is not simply believing certain doctrines. Or joining a Church. But it is new life within which shows itself in a change of our whole lives.

It starts with repentance and faith. Acts 2:38. Repentance from sin we have been convicted of is essential, but with repentance there must be faith - faith in Jesus as the Saviour from the punishment of sin. Any other response is not the real thing.

It continues in a desire to live a holy life. Romans 6:4; 1 John 3:9. It shows itself in a desire for heavenly things. Romans 8:4. It is revealed by a love we have for Jesus and for other Christians. 1 John 4:19; 1 John 4:8.

Practical - Are these marks of conversion seen in us?

Jesus, when he called the Apostles, said, "Follow me". Following, i.e. Discipleship, means two things.

a. Learning.

A true disciple sits at Jesus feet. Luke 10:39. Disciples are learners. We are humbly listening to Jesus to learn what he wants us to know, and also seeking to be obedient to Jesus.

b. Servant.

We are slaves of Jesus. Romans 1:1. Slaves of Jesus Christ. We are his servants to do his bidding. The chief of which is to witness, but it also means that our total lives are available to him for the service of the church and the Gospel.

Practical - Are we true disciples in this sense.

The Bible clearly teaches that this life is not the end of existence, but is the proving ground for existence beyond the grave.

The Bible clearly teaches only two destinations - Heaven or Hell. Matthew 25:46.

The Bible clearly teaches that our final destiny is decided in this life, and can't be changed in the life to come. Luke 16:19-31.

Heaven is a place of Holiness, love and beauty. A place of rejoicing. A place where we dwell with Christ for ever.

Hell, the Bible declares, is a place of eternal woe and misery.

The urgency of the Gospel is that people should be saved from a lost eternity in hell.

Practical - Are we convinced of heaven and hell and appreciate the condition of the lost and the glory of being saved.