The Straight and Narrow Way is Everlasting

Christ's magnificent and glorious new covenant, filled with wondrous power and goodness from on high, amazingly, is not a well known item throughout Christendom. Sadly, today, many barely even have heard of it or its existence. And I have to say, I think the devil likes it this way! He doesn't want Christians to find all of those powerful, good things (Heb. 9:11) that God has supplied in his new covenant (II Cor. 3), and so as long as it remains a secret, the more the devil gains. He is glad to see modern Christians grappling around like blind men in other much less profitable places. The church is satisfied to accommodate him (Gal. 1:7), choosing instead to just give empty lip service to Christ, and leave the critical life changing contents of his straight and narrow way (Mt. 7:14) outside the realm of any appropriate Christian inquiry. So instead, the church engages its own kind of program centered in bits and pieces of trivia and minutia, along with theorizing of earthly kingdoms unrealized but nonetheless supposedly valid pursuits in the broad expanse of empty space that they can't fill with any more worthwhile thing. Mere crumbs from the table are offered, when a heavenly banquet feast awaits with the great God and Master himself, if only the church could find its way there!

Well, here is the straight and narrow prescribed way, which I guess most have heard of, that our Lord talked about, as did the apostles. It begins in the Christ who died to give us his salvation and "life more abundantly" (Jo. 10:10; Titus 3:6; II Pet. 1:11). Embodied within this straight and narrow way is Christ's new covenant, which He administers (see Heb. 2:10, 7:21, 28, 9:26, 10:10). He, as "our High Priest has been given a ministry that is far superior to the ministry of those who serve under the old laws, for he is the one who guarantees for us a better covenant, based on better promises" (Heb. 8:6. See also through v. 13.).

So, believe it or not, we have here mentioned something far better. Did you know that? Well, to follow the new covenant as it unfolds throughout the New Testament cannot help but prove that to any person who really loves Christ and wants to serve him in his way of truth.

Also, this is Christ's everlasting covenant, "signed with his blood" (Heb. 13:20-21). This covenant is of a new and different, even of a more far-reaching quality, than was the old first covenant, because that one had the limitations of a "worldly sanctuary" (Heb. 9:1-12). I guess it was very similar to the one today espoused by the premillenialists who think that such a worldly sanctuary, or temple, with its vast limitations, is what this world really needs over Christ's new and everlasting covenant. They have not recognized, seen, nor experienced the great wonders and power of the new, for they have never been shown along that route, regrettably. Their churches are teaching a different route, based on something that they like to term "new light", and it is something else more temporary in nature and not near as beneficial. Again, it returns us to the more limited base of a "worldly sanctuary" over the heavenly (Heb. 9:1-12). One really must ask why these people have such a problem over heavenly things in general.

But in the new covenant is the everlasting Gospel (Rev. 14:6), and it contains the Good News of everlasting life (Jo. 12:50). And this leads us into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord (II Pet. 1:11). In this God our Father and our Lord Jesus who called us to himself has given us "everlasting comfort and good hope" (II Th. 2:16). Also, his honor and power is everlasting (I Ti. 6:16. See also Mt. 28:18). So you can begin to understand why Christ abolished the old. It was inferior, and temporary, and it was entirely replaced by the new and better covenant of Jesus Christ (Heb. 8:6).

Well, I would really have to think that so much that the Scriptures speak of as being so everlasting, as contained in the Good News of the Gospel, must have something very good going for it. And why shouldn't it, for it is of Christ. I see what we now have in place as very clearly mentioned throughout Christ's new covenant, but nothing whatsoever of this other entity that is supposed to come upon the earth to preempt the everlasting quality of it. So how can anyone arrive at such an idea, if the sacred Word doesn't even speak of it, whereas the new covenant and the heavenly Kingdom are mentioned in numerous places?

Certainly it would seem to me that something this important as the new covenant should have made its way through the doors of many churches by now, yet I have not even seen it as much as mentioned. Yet this other entity, or earthly kingdom theory, seems all the rage, while this new leaves one with an open portal into another area of mystery that still beckons us, calling us deeper into its embracing enclosure that provokes even more curiosity, and, dare I say, longing. So what if it is the maybe ominous sounding straight and narrow way, yet it entices us to walk further on with the most gracious Lord who suffered so much and died that we might live forever with him. We first came to him in fear for our eternal souls, but his great love has cast that away, so now that the worst is over, maybe we might better just stick a toenail in the mysterious doorway, at least, and see what else it has to offer! Maybe there is the Shepherd's staff and crook to bring his straying sheep back into the fold, but there is also his lovely lush green pastures amid his still waters that are able to restore my soul (Ps. 23). Maybe there is some of that in his straight and narrow way and his new covenant also, and I wouldn't think I would mind that so much. Wow!

And then there is this claim about this "living power" that fills his Word (Heb.4:12). I could sure use some of that! It actually sounds pretty good to me! It really seems a whole lot more substantial to me than does this other supposed "new light" that isn't even mentioned in his holy Word, but is only arrived at by misinterpretations and ill-founded assertions.

You betcha it does, and it is! For I have discovered exactly that Christ's new covenant is his credential par excellence! When once we finally rid ourselves of our thoughts of "the weak and beggarly elements" of the old (Gal. 4:9), more worldly oriented one that Christ indeed abolished (II Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:15; Heb. 7:18, 8:7-8, 13, 10:9) to open the doorway to all his good things, the narrow way with its new covenant now looms before us. Wow again! Now really isn't that pretty exciting? Why just the very words that the Scripture uses beckons me onward to this better place of new adventure that seems to offer me something more than waiting for this other more temporary worldly thing that so excites the rest of them. But not near as exciting as all of his "good things" (Heb. 9:11) of the new is going to get further on, as you should soon begin to see!

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Real Christian? Not This Way!

Even with the decline of Bible-based Christianity in the West there are still many people who have inherited the idea that it's "Christian" to be kind and honest and a loyal citizen, but anything beyond that - like holding strong beliefs, only produces religious fanaticism and an unbalanced mind. What do we make of this?

The first thing to note are the various ways the word "Christian" may still be used; sometimes to refer to a sweet and gentle kindness - practice that and you are undoubtedly a fine Christian!
So, you think you are a real Christian? Fair enough, but here are some of the approaches that WON'T help you:

• BE KIND AND FORGIVING

It is very affirming for others to be treated with sincere kindness. And it is even more precious to be truly forgiven, when you didn't deserve it - well, that's the essence of forgiveness isn't it? If these are the traits you show to others - keep them. But just accept, by themselves, these don't make you a real Christian.

• GO TO CHURCH

Surely regular churchgoing will help show I am a real Christian, I mean, surely this is one of the essential marks of being one. Yes, it may be. If you assume churchgoing shows to others you're a Christian, you have very likely got the principle of cause and effect working back-to-front. Merely doing external things, important as they may be, like churchgoing, never made anyone a Christian.

• PRAYER

What could be more spiritual than private prayer? That definitely makes me a real Christian! Yes, Christians do pray, but you ought not to rely on this to make you feel spiritual or near to God, because many people think it helps develop their spirituality, and is a vital part of what makes them a real Christian. Taken by itself, the practice of prayer, neither proves nor disproves that you may be a real Christian.

• BELIEVE IN GOD

Atheism may be on the increase, but then, many people also have a belief in God's existence. And many atheists have the idea that they became such when they abandoned all religious belief and practice. However "Christian" it sounds to believe in God, it might merely be a sort of mental assent, a cultural belief and nothing more. Don't rely on that sort of belief.

• READ THE BIBLE

Yes, it's definitely good to read the Bible, and if you do I would encourage you to continue to do that and to ask God to speak to you through it. However, by itself, this is never enough to show that you're a real Christian.

• HAVE HIGH MORAL VALUES

And to cap them all, you may also have strong moral values based on biblical Christianity. Surely, that proves you are a real Christian! Look, this is good, and I am encouraged that you may have high moral principles in a dark and devious world, but even these are not sufficient to show that you have ever 'passed from death to life' (John 5:24).

All of these activities are very acceptable in their own right - so don't necessarily stop doing them - by no means! I have adopted this negative-sounding approach because occasionally it helps to show what Christianity is NOT, besides showing what it is.

So, if you have been relying on these things to make you acceptable to God and worthy of a place in heaven, you will need to reject them as unfounded hopes.

Instead, we shall need to accept that 'all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment' (Isaiah 64:6), and 'none is righteous, no, not one' (Romans 3:10). Rejecting all self-righteousness, we must come empty-handed to Christ, accepting that he has died for sins such as our own, and receive freely from him 'through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith' (Philippians 3:9).
With this new standing in Christ, received as a gift, we will begin to live out our new life of fruitfulness that comes from a spiritual union with Christ (see John 15:4-7), so that in Jesus' words, 'you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples' (John 15:8).

What a vast difference there is between these two ways - dead religious works and the true, living fruit of God's Spirit! Don't mistake the first for the second.

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Christmas Story - Facts About The Birth Of Christ

Christmas is more than just holidays, Father Christmas and presents. To celebrate and enjoy the season, one should remember its origins because the real Christmas story is found in the Holy Bible with the Birth of Jesus Christ. The Child, Born that night over two thousand years ago, is the Light of the World, King of Kings and the Son of God.

The Christmas Story, of Angels and Mary, a young Jewish girl from Galilee who gave Birth to a King in a humble stable, the simple, hard-working shepherds who came to adore Jesus, the bright Star of Bethlehem and the Wise Men who followed it bearing gifts makes the festive season special because the Birth was a miracle and, it gave the world a Savior.

The Birth of Jesus begins with a reference to Caesar Augustus, Emperor of the powerful, Roman Empire and, of Jesus, a Jewish, Baby Boy Born into poverty. The contrast couldn't be greater.
"And so it came to pass in those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to their own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem, the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went to register with Mary who also, was a descendent of King David and of the tribe of Judah. Mary was expecting a Child. While there, the time came for the Baby to be Born."

The joyous event of the Birth of Jesus was announced by an Angel to lowly shepherds accompanied by Angelic praise. The bright Star of Bethlehem revealed the Birth to the Gentile (non-Jewish), Wise Men who came to bow and worship the newborn King. The Gentiles later, would make up most of the Christian world because, from that foundation, Christianity grew, sending off branches in many directions from ancient Jerusalem.

God chose for His Son to be born in a humble stable, and placed in an animal feeding-trough for a Crib surrounded by farm animals. Jesus came into this world in humility, simplicity and in poverty to identify with the poor, and the down-trodden. And, Mary, the Mother of Jesus, is a wonderful example of humility, courage, faith and willingness to do God's Will.

That humble stable was filled with the Presence of God. Through His Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior, God gave us a way to inherit the Heavenly, Kingdom of God. Jesus Christ, the founder of Christianity, taught people to love God, to love their neighbor and fellow-man, to treat other people as they themselves wish to be treated. He preached equality, care for the weak and needy, He fought sin, yet He did not despise sinful people. He was willing to forgive and to heal and He taught that repentance and faith could save people. The Apostles and other early Christians went everywhere carrying the Message of Jesus and the Word of God to all continents and all peoples.

The Wise Men remind us that Christmas is a time for giving. It is a time for peace and goodwill to all as we look forward to the joy of the season. And, Christmas Day is marked by church services and the traditional, Christmas table spread out before us where we can all sit down together with the family to enjoy a Christmas feast that brings joy and happiness to every heart.

The Christmas Story also, has its very own traditional pageantry, beautiful old customs and feasting making everything more cheerful and beautiful that brings out the best in all of us. For many children around the world, it is a time for gifts when Father Christmas arrives on a sleigh pulled by reindeer in the early hours of Christmas morning placing presents in stockings, by their beds or in front of the family Christmas tree.

And, the spirit of Christmas embodies many wonderful qualities that can be felt and seen everywhere throughout the world. Most places of work will hold Christmas parties, homes, shops, business offices, streets and town centers are decorated with Nativity scenes, Christmas trees and bright, colored lights. And, shopping centers become busier with people buying gifts as they play the traditional Christmas Carols throughout the day, while people will often sing them out in the streets to help raise money for charities.

One of the most famous Christmas Carols of all time, Silent Night is a song that is beautiful and yet, so powerful, it touches people with its simple Christian message of heavenly peace. Written by Father Joseph Mohr in 1816 its music was added by choir director, Franz Xavier Gruber in 1818.

In the small, alpine, village church of Saint Nicholas in Oberndorf, Austria, this timeless classic was heard for the first time as Father, Joseph Mohr and Franz Xavier Gruber, accompanied by the choir and a guitar, sang "Stille Nacht! Heilige Nacht! (Silent Night, Holy Night). From here, Silent Night went on to have such an impact around the world, it even caused a World War One battle to temporarily cease, as British and German soldiers sang of heavenly peace from their trenches on Christmas Eve.

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Understanding the Christian Way of Life

The Christian way of life is the pillar and support of the truth and should be concerned about congregational purity. The entire life course of a faithful Christian is actually governed by faith, enabling them to overcome obstacles that would hinder their service to the true God. The Christian congregation serves as a "pillar and support of the truth," preserving the purity of the truth, defending and upholding it. (1 Tim, 3:15)

The Christian way to upholding the truth is especially important when those entrusted with oversight in the congregation are able to handle the "word of the truth" aright. Proper use of God's Word enables True Christians to combat false teaching in the congregation, instructing "those not favorably disposed; as perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth."

The disciple James wrote: "who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show out of his fine conduct the works with a meekness that belongs to wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth."

The Christian way to seeking true understanding is through prayer to God: "Give me understanding, and I shall keep Your law; Indeed I shall observe it with my whole heart. The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting; Give me understanding, and I shall live." (Ps 119:34, 144) This is the right Christian motive. The apostle prayed for the Colossian Christians that they might be "filled with knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding in order to walk worthily of the Lord." (Col 1:9-10)

For the Christian congregation to be "a pillar and support of the truth," the Christian members thereof must, through fine conduct, manifest the truth in their lives. (Eph 5:9) They have to be consistent and undeviating in right conduct, as if "girded about with truth." (Eph 6:14) Besides maintaining personal purity, Christians must be concerned about congregational purity. When emphasizing the need to keep the Christian congregation clean from the defilement of lawless persons, the apostle Paul wrote: "Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor. 5:7-8)
By God's helping with our Christian way, one can come to an "understanding heart," that is, to learn right motive and also be able to discern bad motives, one's own or those of others (Prov 8:5), and by adhering to right motivation can avoid being distracted, misled or sidetracked into a devious and foolish course, and instead can be upright and head straight for one's goal. (Prov 15:21)

What it means to follow the Christian way is this: Jesus extended the invitation to be His follower, saying: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me." (Matt 16:24) Those who are true Christian have full faith that Jesus is God's specially Anointed One and only begotten Son, the Promised Seed who sacrificed His human life as a ransom, was resurrected and exalted to the right hand of God, and the one who received authority to subdue his enemies and vindicate God's name.(Matt 20:28) Christians view the Bible as the inspired Word of God, absolute truth beneficial for teaching and disciplining mankind.(Matt 17:17) and (2 Tim 3:16)
More is required of true Christians than mere confession of faith through the Christian way. It is necessary that belief be demonstrated by works. (James 2: 17, 26) Born as sinners, those who follow the Christian way and repent, (turn around) dedicate their lives to God's worship and service, and submit to water baptism.(Matt 28:19) From then on they keep themselves clean from fornication, and idolatry. (Acts 15:20, 29) They strip off old personalities with their fits of anger, obscene talk, lying, stealing, drunkenness, and "things like these," and bring their lives into accord with Bible principles.(Gal 5:19-21)

Peter wrote to Christians, "Let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a busybody in other people's matters," (1 Pet 4:15) Our Christian way is to be kind and considerate, mild tempered and long-suffering, lovingly exercising self-control. (5:22-23) Christians provide and care for their own and love their neighbors as themselves. (1Tim 5:8) and (Matt 22:36-40) The main identifying quality by which true Christians are recognized is the outstanding love they have toward one another. "By this," Jesus said, "all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves." (John 13:34-35

Christianity is the way of the truth (2 pet 2:2) and those who assist others in furthering the interests of the Christian way become "fellow workers in the truth." (3 John 8) The entire body of Christian teachings, which latter became part of the written Word of God, is the "truth" or the "truth of the good news." Adherence to or 'walking' in this truth is essential for an individual to gain salvation. (Rom 2:8 2, Cor 4:2, Eph 1:13) In the case of those who conduct themselves aright, the truth, the conformity of their Christian ways to God's Word and the actual results of their course, testifies to the fact that they are examples worthy of imitation.(3 John 11-12)

True Christians imitate Jesus' example as the Great Teacher and Faithful Witness of God. (John 18:37) "Go make disciples of people of all the nations, teaching them to do the same things I taught you to do," is their Leader's command, and in carrying it out Christians urge people everywhere to put their hope and confidence in God's Kingdom. (Matt 28:19-20)

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How To Know If You Are A Real Christian

The Christian of 40-50 years ago is not the Christian of today. In fact, in many instances, they are diametrically opposed.

But how can that be? The Word of God, the Bible tells us, is forever settled in heaven, so clearly God's everlasting standard hasn't changed -- which leaves us with the inescapable conclusion that many of us have twisted God's Word to mean whatever we say it means.

That works great here on earth, as our declining society embraces sin and calls it holy, so we may do whatever manner of perversion while still expecting the heavenly reward of a faithful servant -- but God will have none of it.

Millions of people who have been deceived into believing they are Christians are going to be so very disappointed when it matters most -- as the Bible says in Matthew 7:14 (NKJV), "Because narrow [is] the gate and difficult [is] the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." For non-believers, this is not an issue. They have chosen their fate, as is their God-given right. But for those who profess faith, yet act as if they are a god unto themselves, understanding God's real truth is an everlasting life or death issue.

This is being written to suggest that we all need a 100,000 mile faith check-up. As no one is promised life to the next second, we need to know, not think, know! we are right with our Creator. And we can only know that based on Scripture. It doesn't matter what I say, or what your pastor says. God and God alone is the arbitrator of holiness, without which we will not see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
The point is, it does not matter what we think of our faith. The only thing that matters is what God thinks of our faith. The question then becomes, how are we to know where we stand with the One who matters?

It's not just a matter of saying the right thing, as anyone can do that -- then too, our words mean less than nothing. "My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth." (1 John 3:18) Our human standard of talking a good game is of no value to God. Walking the walk is the bottom-line.

Sadly, with each passing year, the truth has less value to our society -- we do what we want, when we want, and with whom we want -- and if it's a sin, we'll call it something else we can live with. The truth, like God's Word, means whatever we say it means. This deceptive falsehood, repeated through many generations, is now accepted as "truth," notwithstanding it is opposition to the Word.

As a lay minister/counselor, and Christian writer, I've asked hundreds of people if they're a Christian. To those who answer "yes," my follow-up is, "How do you know?" Most give a statement regarding their faith that mimics John 3:16. I politely then say, "That's wonderful that you've accepted the Lord, but that doesn't answer my question, so I'll ask again. How do you know you're a Christian?"
No one has ever had the right biblical answer.

Two of the most powerful verses in the Bible on this subject is John 10:37-38. "If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe Me; but if I do, though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father [is] in Me, and I in Him."

 Jesus, the Son of God, and our Lord and Savior, has set the standard by which our faith will be judged. He says that if His works do not match His rhetoric, we should not believe Him. Why then, if this is the standard we are to judge Him, would we not realize that is the standard by which He will judge us.

If we profess faith and are obedient, our claim to be a Christian can and should be believed. But if we live in rebellion, notwithstanding church attendance and public piety, it is all a lie.
Understand the difference here. You can have faith and not be a Christian. Remember, demons believe Jesus is the Son of God, but they are not Christians. Becoming a Christian is taking our faith and putting it into actions that give credit to our claims. Our works reveal our faith sans our opinion(s).
Bringing this full-circle, we only have to look to James 2:26 -- "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."

This is the truth of your Christianity. Embrace it. Let it set you free. We are told in Titus 2:14 that we (Christians) are "...a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Does that describe you? Do you stand out as "peculiar" in a secular world, or are you one of the guys? And are you "zealous" about good works, or do you go along to get along?

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) This verse is direct and to the point. We can say and do what we want, as we have been given the gift of free will, but on Judgment Day we will be held to His standard. And that's substantially higher than the "if it feels good do it" mantra of our society that openly mocks faithful obedience as being out of touch and passé.

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Where Can Christians Find Love?

Christians have a far more difficult time in finding another Christian to spend their life with. Why do Christians face more obstacles on the dating scene? This is simple to answer; Christians have a duty to find a future mate who is pleasing to God. Christians have a duty to marry someone who is approved by God while remaining faithful to God's word and teachings.

Christians have a duty to find someone who contains the high standard of following God's will. Non-believers have a difficult time in finding someone special but Christians have an even harder time due to the religious standards, which they hold dear to their hearts. God does not frown on Christians dating a variety of people therefore; there is no reason why Christians should stand on the sidelines merely waiting for the perfect mate to fall down from the sky. Some Christians make the mistake of thinking God will deliver the perfect mate to them. God will guide Christians in finding the perfect mate but God will not perform the work necessary for this task.

This is where online Christian dating websites come into play. Christians must realize that they are not the only lonely Christians on this earth. There are other lonely Christians with the same goals and expectations in finding a Christian mate. Online Christian dating websites proves wonderful arenas in meeting other lonely Christians who are serious about settling down and getting married. One thing that Christians must ensure is that they do not rush into dating relationships based solely on their loneliness. Loneliness can cause Christians and other people to perform things they normally would not perform. Just because someone is lonely, this does not mean that someone is desperate. Make sure that one remains meticulous and selective when choosing potential dates no matter one's level of loneliness.
Christians must understand that being single is not a curse from God. Being single can sometimes prove fun and exciting with meeting new friends and performing fun activities. Online Christian dating websites can help with meeting new people but it is up to Christians to make the most of their time while experiencing the single life.

The dating life for Christians can prove tedious and sometimes outright frustrating. Do not make the mistake of feeling sorry for one's self, being single is the time when one should learn everything they can about themselves and God's word. Instead of wallowing in one's lonely state, accept the fact that it is not God's will currently for one to be in a committed relationship. Utilize that time for improving different aspects of one's life, no matter where these improvements need to occur.

Being a single Christian is not a bad thing. The mentality of Christians during their single phase should entail that God has a plan for everyone and when the right time occurs, the perfect mate will come into one's life with abundant blessings from God.

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The Surviving Christian Marriage

As a Christian myself, I believe that it is wise to seek out Christian marriage counselor before the big day. Marriage counseling for Christians is pretty unique from normal marriage counseling because in Christianity the teachings are distinctive. It allows the marriage counselor to establish the a number of factors that can cause issues in the marriage. If there are past problems which can cause the marriage to break apart, the counselor will have the ability to identify these. When their marriage becomes problematic, Christian married couples might find it challenging to resolve their issues. It can be so much helpful for the married couples to start out with marriage counseling. In the Christian view a marriage is bond between two people and is sacred.

Just like any marriage a Christian marriage can run into issues and trials. Marriage is really a lifelong commitment. It has a foundation that's based on their belief in the Lord. Though you think your scenario is hopeless, keep in mind that a Christian marriage is often saved. I cannot picture how couples without having faith in God might ever hope to survive these days. My strong Christian faith has helped me through the toughest times of my life. A lot of Christian marriages go through issues and confusion that couples outside the Christian community go through day-to-day. This is where your local church can help you. There are other couples within your church who are facing exact same problems in their marriages. Be willing to lean on other people for help. Don't try to do it on your own. To build a successful marriage will take great effort and time. Pray daily for God to show you and your spouse the way. All issues are solvable to him who believes.

Let your church be your rock. Your marriage should be based on Christ centered principles and on the teachings of the Bible. There is possibly no event as ripe with promise and expectation as a wedding. Unfortunately, expectations of marriage are consistently the trigger of early problems. Just like the Trinity, a marriage grounded in Christ is three-in-one. A Christian marriage is very different from any other marriage. In Christianity, the marriage is between three individuals and only one of them can solve its problems and issues. In society at large, marriage is a contract between two people. The Christian life, including the relationship in marriage, can be a supernatural life. The Christian marriage is the image of God's relationship with Himself.

Christian marriage tips must contain the Biblical principles of the husband and wife relationship. The whole foundation of marriage has symbolic meanings that are meant to help us to understand our relationship with God. There are Christians who will not marry unless they marry another Christian. Christians should marry for life according to Biblical principles. You should even manage the family's money matters based on God's principles. Allow God's Holy Spirit to transform you each into superior marriage partners by means of the research of God's Word. From this day forward, your marriage have to be God's marriage. It is God's will for the marriage to be saved. A Christian marriage just isn't governed by the same principles which guide and govern a secular marriage. Many fall on the road, never to see the promised land of Christian marriage. The Christian marriage guidance which you uncover nowadays seems to be mostly tainted by worldly views and philosophies. One or both spouses claim to be Christians, and they assume then that their marriage is likewise "Christian. After all, how can you could have a Christian marriage if you possibly can't meet other Christians.

No matter what the problems are, God is there to assist each and every Christian couple to have a productive marriage.

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Head, Heart, and Hand Christians

I can remember hearing these three descriptions of believers over 30 years ago in the Christian circles in which I traveled.

The "Head Christians" are those believers who make theology or doctrine the totality of the Christian life. Orthodoxy, right/approved belief, is the fundamental feature of Christianity. We might call these believers the "intellectual" Christians.

The "Heart Christians" are those believers who see the experience of Jesus in a personal way as the totality of the Christian life. They are concerned about passion for Christ and cultivating an abiding love for Him. We might call these believers the "relational" Christians.

The "Hand Christians" are those believers who consider service for Jesus as the totality of the Christian life. They commit themselves to social justice and caring for the needs of the poor. We might call these believers the "practical" Christians.

The dangerous word in each of these descriptions is the word "totality." Each takes one aspect of Christianity and "canonizes" it as the essence or core of the Christian life. I would contend that the totality of the Christian life lies in a balanced combination of all three.

The risk for the head Christian is that her Christian life can be reduced to cold rationality. This person needs to remember that the Scriptures speak often of God's love for us and our love for God, of Jesus' love for us and of our love for Jesus. It is a mistake to subsume the love of Christ into a doctrine without experiencing that love herself. Out of her doctrine and relationship with Christ comes the desire to serve.

The risk for the heart Christian is that his Christian life can become all emotion and affection without substance. The reality is that every Christian has a theology the only real question is whether it is a good or bad theology. Even the statement, "I don't care about theology, I just believe in Jesus" is a highly theological one. What does the Bible mean by "believe"-affirmation of facts, heart commitment, submission of the will? The answer is a theological one. Who does the Bible say Jesus is? The answer is a theological one. The heart Christian needs to know theology because it gives direction to his personal experience of Jesus. Out of his relationship and doctrine with Christ can grow service for others.

The risk for the hand Christian is that his Christian life can become good works that are divorced from the theological substance and personal relationship which should drive those good works. This has happened in a multitude of churches which became all about service and lost doctrine and relationship. It is important for the hand Christian to be intentionally aware of the "why" behind his service and to draw strength from his doctrine and relationship in doing his good works.

While no Christian may be the extreme versions described above, I believe every Christian tends to lean in one direction or another. I lean in the direction of the head Christian. In the new heavens and new earth we will have a perfect balance. In the meantime, it is part of the glory of the grind to seek the grace of God in Christ to move us toward that balance in our daily experience.
Which of these three descriptions do you lean toward?

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What Kind of Christian Are You?

Text: Matthew 13:1 - 20; Mark 4:1 - 20; Luke 8:4 - 15

Jesus often spoke in parables. A parable was an earthly story with a spiritual lesson. It was used to hide truth from people who really didn't want to find or hear truth. It was also used to reveal truth to those who really wanted to encounter truth. Large crowds often came to Jesus, but everyone did not accept or respond positively to His teaching. People had different motives for coming to Jesus: some people wanted to be healed; some wanted someone else to be healed (a friend, a son, a daughter as examples); some wanted to be fed; some wanted to see a supernatural sign.

This parable deals with four possible places where seed fell. Some seed fell on the path and was eaten by birds. Some seed fell on rocky places where there was a lack of soil. Some seed fell among thorns and was choked by the weeds. Some fell on good soil and produced a good crop. The aim of this parable is to communicate truth. Jesus makes that clear when He says that he who has an ear let him hear. Spiritual truth is spiritually discerned. The mind gives us an intellectual understanding of words, but it is the Spirit who gives us the real understanding of God's truth.

The message, as was interpreted by Jesus, is the message of the kingdom - truths about the reign of God, God's plan, purpose and salvation. In His interpretation, Jesus identified four types of people.
The Indifferent Christian

Jesus described the seed that fell on the path as the person who does not understand. In reality, this person's heart is so hard that he doesn't want to understand. There are many people who hear the word, but don't receive it. The Word must be accompanied by faith, for without faith, the Word lacks the ability to transform lives. In church, some people hear the Word, but they don't take the time to understand the Word. They are not open to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. We can harden our own hearts and take the Word for granted. We can shut out the preacher and focus our minds elsewhere. We can shut down the message because it is not dealing with what we want to hear. Some of us want to hear how God is going to bless us, but we really don't want to hear a strong kingdom message that calls us to radical discipleship, to real commitment to Jesus. We can easily become like the church at Laodicea in the book of Revelation where Jesus was standing on the outside, knocking to get in.
The Superficial Christian

Jesus described the rocky place as the person who receives the word with joy, but when troubles, persecution and testing come, he quickly falls away. These types of persons show no consistent commitment, but rather practice convenient Christianity. They are dominated by emotionalism, that is, they like a lot of feel good messages and feel good experiences - singing, dancing, shouting; if these things are not happening, they feel that the Spirit of God is not moving. These experiences have value when they are prompted by faith and the leading of the Spirit.

These persons walk by sight, not by faith; they walk by the flesh, not by the Spirit. Worship, therefore, is polluted by self and is not dominated by the kingdom of God. In other words, it really is about me and how I feel and not about God and His purpose. These types of Christians are always ready to give up or to leave the church. They are up and down Christians who don't value the things that are important to God and to the kingdom of God such as prayer, study and meditation of the Word, evangelism, and the fellowship of the saints. For these Christians, there is no real depth, spiritual maturity, or radical transformation by the gospel of Jesus Christ. These are simply Christians who come to church when they feel like, but contribute little or nothing to the accomplishing of God's mission through the church.

The Worldly Christian

Jesus described this person as one who hears the word, but worries, greed and pleasures prevent him from truly maturing. Christians like these are obsessed with money: they are dominated by the love of money. They have a hard time taking the step of faith to tithe and to give sacrificially to God. If God has your wallet, he will have your heart: God is Lord where persons commit their time, talent and treasure to Him, where people commit their entire lives to Him. Worldly Christians are always looking to get something: they are the kind of Christians that come to church to see what they can get, rather than to see what they can give; their focus is on being "blessed," rather than on being a blessing.
Worldly Christians are always worrying about something: children, work, friends, problems or about some other thing. They don't have the peace of God; they don't have the strong faith that God is going to work it out. They don't have the assurance that all things work together for good. Worldly Christians like to be entertained: they want church to be fun, not necessarily to give them an encounter with a holy God. Worldly Christians are too earthly minded to be of any real use in the kingdom. They are not strongly committed to the purposes of God and their contribution to the church and the kingdom is minimal.

The Fruitful Christian

Jesus described this person as the one who understands the Word, accepts the Word, retains the Word, has a good and noble heart and by persevering produces a good crop. In Bajan vernacular, these are the real, real Christians. These are people who put the kingdom of God first and His righteousness. These are people who are willing to go to the ends of the earth, wherever God sends them, at whatever price to see the gospel of the kingdom preached. These are people who are hungry for the presence of God, for the moving of His Spirit. These are people who value God's house, who commit to serving in whatever capacity, who give freely to God's work. These are people who don't quit, who persevere, who have "stickability" because they have found that secret place with God. These are people who appreciate the Word of God: they listen carefully to the Word; they think about the Word; they talk over the Word with others; they pray over and apply the Word. These are people who are truly a blessing, and who add value to the church and the kingdom. These are those who God can say to, "Well done my good and faithful servant."

How do you become a fruitful Christian? We need to surrender to God and ask Him to fill us to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. The Christian life is a life of yielding to God. We cannot be overcoming Christians in our own strength or intellect. We must give our lives completely over to God; we must come to the end of self and allow God to increase in us. We need to be in the place where God wants us to be and be around the right kind of people. Not every environment is conducive to becoming a fruitful Christian; all churches are not open to the moving of the Spirit. At the same time, being in the right place is a matter of our personal position before God. It is about having the mind of Christ and walking in the spirit of repentance, humility and purity.

We must be willing to let go of the past and gain a biblical understanding of what a Christian really is. Paul spoke about forgetting the past and pressing onward. The latter glory must always be greater than the former glory. Biblical Christianity is a radical experience. Just know that often what you see in Western Christianity is a watered down version of the real thing. When we carefully study the Word of God, we will see what God has really called us to. If we are open, the revelation of the Word will revolutionize our lives and challenge us to move beyond the status quo into the realm of spiritual transformation.

Conclusion

Not everyone wants to be a fruitful Christian. Jesus ministered to thousands, yet on the Day of Pentecost only 120 were in the Upper Room. The Bible says think of yourself with sober judgment. What kind of Christian are you? Are you the indifferent Christian? Are you the superficial Christian? Are you the worldly Christian? Are you the fruitful Christian? You must know your own heart and your position. I hope though that you have carefully assessed your position and that you are on your way to being or already are a fruitful Christian.

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