Christian Living
There has been a movement in the Christian church for several years call Spiritual Formation. The simplest description is that it is a contrived way to try bringing us closer to God through practicing certain disciplines. Some of these disciplines may actually be very Biblical, but most come straight from spiritualism, mysticism, the occult, and Eastern religions. Rather than worry about which ones are okay and which ones are from the devil, it would be better for us to be rock solid in the true Biblical disciplines based on genuine faith and Biblical principles and not based on our feelings or popularity. There are seven simple disciplines from the Bible that I believe will result in real Christ-like spiritual growth.
1-pray without ceasing
2-study the Bible daily
3-memorize Scripture
4-model the Fruits of the Spirit
5-use your Spiritual Gift(s)
6-keep the Ten Commandments
7-follow Jesus wherever He takes you
The first 3 disciplines must be deliberately incorporated into your life each day. Jesus went off early in the morning to pray (Mark 1:35). Like Jesus, we should do the same. The Early Christians studied the Scriptures daily (Acts 17:11). We should do the same. We should send up prayers throughout our day (1 Thessalonians 5:17), keep Scripture on our minds (Psalm 1:2), and be ready to give account for what we believe (2 Timothy 4:2).
Disciplines 4, 5, and 6 should be practiced in all areas of life. The fruit of the spirit is given to all who are in Jesus (John 15:5) and we must exemplify all of them in our lives as He did. Jesus also gives us gifts of the spirit accounting to His will (Hebrews 2:4) so we can bless others (1Corinthians 12:7) and build up His church (1 Corinthians 12:27). We are to be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14) and by our love we should be known (John 13:35). Jesus has called us to keep His commandments (John 14:15) for He was the author of the original Decalogue given to Moses (John 8:58; Exodus 3:14; 20:1; 23:20,21; Act 7:38). We should ask ourselves each day: Am I modeling the fruits of the spirit? Am I using my gifts to Gods glory? Am I keeping each commandment? We must always remember that our witness for Jesus tells the world we are His.
Discipline 7 is often where folks get mixed up because they have not practiced the first 6. They have a true longing for God (Psalm 42:1-2), but seek to satisfy this longing through spiritualism, mysticism, the occult, and Eastern religions believing they will find Him there. Jesus will never ask you to do something contrary to His Commandments or His spoken word. However, if folks do not know or practice the disciplines of Biblical prayer, diligent Bible study, and the keeping of His Commandments, they will not know what spirit is leading. The devil masquerades as an angle of light (2 Corinthians 11:4), performs miracles (Revelation 16:14), and will deceive many (Matthew 24:11). Folks say they will follow Jesus wherever He goes, but some have no idea the direction God has plainly told them they in His word. Practicing the first 6 Biblical disciplines gives us that direction and will ensure you are following Jesus wherever He goes. So when He says, "be baptized", you will get baptized. When He says, "Keep My commandments," you will keep His commandments. When He says, "forgive (fill in the black)," you will do it. Whatever Jesus tells you to do that is according to His word, you will do.
Below are specific Scriptural guidance and examples for each of the 7
disciplines.
Prayer
James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Matthew 6:5-13 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray:“‘Our Father in heaven,hallowed be your name, your kingdom come,your will be done,on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts,as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.’
Jesus' example in prayer: John 17
David's, the "man after God's own heart" prayer examples: Psalms 3-41, 51-65, 68-70, 86, 101, 103, 108-110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138-145.
Bible study
Psalm 119:103 How sweet are your words to my taste,sweeter than honey to my mouth!
John 5:39-40 You study the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
Jesus' example in Bible study: Luke 4:16-19
Scripture memorization
Psalm 119:11 I have hidden your word in my heartthat I might not sin against you.
Deuteronomy 11:18 Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Jesus' example: Matthew 4:3-10
Fruits of the spirit
John 15:4-5 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Gifts of the Spirit
1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
1 Corinthians 12:4-11 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Hebrews 2:4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.
Commandments
John 14:15 If you love me, keep my command(ments).
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments,for this is the duty of all mankind.
Revelation 14:12 This calls for patient endurance on the part of the people of God who keep his commands and remain faithful to Jesus.
Luke 18:18-20 A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’”
Matthew 22:37-40 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Joseph's refusal to break the commandments: Genesis 39:
Hebrew Captives refused to break the commandments Daniel 3:16-18
Friends of Jesus keep His commandments: John 15:14
Paul kept all the commandments: Acts 24:14; 25:8;
Follow the Lamb Wherever He Goes
Revelation 14:4-5 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. They were purchased from among mankind and offered as firstfruits to God and the Lamb. No lie was found in their mouths; they are blameless.
John 15:4-5, 7-8 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
1 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Fix your eyes on Jesus - Hebrews 12:1-3
Paul's example was Jesus: 1 Corinthians 11:1
Peter's example was Jesus: 1 Peter 2:21
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