Christian fruits, not roots.
I will never preach that eternal salvation is by works, that would be denying the Gospel and putting man on a pedestal which would be heretical. Christ (God the Son) shed his blood on the cross for our sin and God poured out all the wrath, rightfully meant for us, on Christ. Me saying I'm justified by my works denies the seriousness of our sin.
But we cannot pretend there are no fruits a Christian will produce if they are saved.
1. Reading the Bible daily- if you are a genuine Christian and believe the Bible is God's word why would you not read the Bible every day? It his eternal, infinite glorious word.
Let me let you in on a little secret. When I was backsliding I certainly did not read the Bible everyday.
Want to know why? Because I was living in sin and for this world and I knew the Bible would shine it's light on my dark lifestyle.
2. Praying- If I am a genuine Christian why would I not be praying to God every day? Not only does he give me everything I recieve but I am breathing at the moment because of his grace.
He deserves your wholehearted worship!
Without the habit of prayer I would fall into feelings of the flesh- for example, I had a great interview for a much better paying job today and my natural state would be to tap myself on the back. But I should be thanking God and realising my money is not my own- it's his!
3. Attending church- Church should not be a drudgery, church should be pure joy! You should love worshipping God with Christian family and you should love having fellowship with God's people! God has a special love for his people and you should too.
The church should be a local, Gospel preaching church where God's word is taught.
As I always mention, obviously the situation is not possible if you live in a Country with an underground church or are not well enough to attend.
4. Giving- The dreaded G word. It may amaze some that your church's money does not grow on trees, but it doesn't.
Giving for me is a joy as it should be for you, what greater way to use your money than for God's purposes?
Don't get me wrong, not everyone is currently in this position, myself included as I am looking for a job and can't afford to give.
But if you are in a position to give- we all regret spending our money on some things but I promise you, you will not regret giving to God's purposes!
5. Being baptized/ Receiving communion- these are not works, they are God ordained means of grace. They will not save you but being baptised and recieving communion show you abide in Christ.
So to conclude, we are not saved by any of the above, but they are fruits of the spirit that will be produced if you are genuinely saved.
But we cannot pretend there are no fruits a Christian will produce if they are saved.
1. Reading the Bible daily- if you are a genuine Christian and believe the Bible is God's word why would you not read the Bible every day? It his eternal, infinite glorious word.
Let me let you in on a little secret. When I was backsliding I certainly did not read the Bible everyday.
Want to know why? Because I was living in sin and for this world and I knew the Bible would shine it's light on my dark lifestyle.
2. Praying- If I am a genuine Christian why would I not be praying to God every day? Not only does he give me everything I recieve but I am breathing at the moment because of his grace.
He deserves your wholehearted worship!
Without the habit of prayer I would fall into feelings of the flesh- for example, I had a great interview for a much better paying job today and my natural state would be to tap myself on the back. But I should be thanking God and realising my money is not my own- it's his!
3. Attending church- Church should not be a drudgery, church should be pure joy! You should love worshipping God with Christian family and you should love having fellowship with God's people! God has a special love for his people and you should too.
The church should be a local, Gospel preaching church where God's word is taught.
As I always mention, obviously the situation is not possible if you live in a Country with an underground church or are not well enough to attend.
4. Giving- The dreaded G word. It may amaze some that your church's money does not grow on trees, but it doesn't.
Giving for me is a joy as it should be for you, what greater way to use your money than for God's purposes?
Don't get me wrong, not everyone is currently in this position, myself included as I am looking for a job and can't afford to give.
But if you are in a position to give- we all regret spending our money on some things but I promise you, you will not regret giving to God's purposes!
5. Being baptized/ Receiving communion- these are not works, they are God ordained means of grace. They will not save you but being baptised and recieving communion show you abide in Christ.
So to conclude, we are not saved by any of the above, but they are fruits of the spirit that will be produced if you are genuinely saved.
