Christian Life

[1watchman]

True Christian life is not just about believing in God and trying to follow His words, but first knowing God ---read John 1; John 3; John 14 and pray much for understanding about that counsel. First take note of 1 Jn. 5:10-12, else one will not know God!

One can hear of many troubled souls talking about praying to God and getting no help, and doing many religious things and getting no relief. They might be religious but don't know God! The Lord Jesus says: "...ye will not come to Me that ye might have life" (note John 5:39-40). Sometimes one thinks they are a Christian, when they are only a disciple trying to follow after God.

By reading the Gospels and Epistles in the Bible one can hear God speaking to one. We need to be sure we value the Word of God and take "all the counsel of God" and be "rightly dividing the Word of Truth" as God enjoins us. Then we can live for Him and serve and be blessed forever.

 

[parsley]

I think it also helps to pray for other people. Often when we hear prayers are not answered, it's a person's own requests, rather than a heart for others to find relief. Job did not find his success restored until he prayed for the people who cut him down.

 

[1watchman]

True! When some come to know the Lord, they should see what God has done for them and want to show that same love to others, that they can be saved and enter into this precious relationship. Such faithfulness will much please the Lord, as you note about Job.

 

[Emmy]

Dear 1watchman. Jesus gives us good advice in Matthew 22: 35-40: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself."
In verse 40, Jesus points out: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love and God wants loving sons and daughters.
Everything we say or do, all we advice and stand for, must be from love and compassion.
In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " ask and you shall receive," we ask for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour:
all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends. Keep asking and receiving, then thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour.
God sees our loving efforts and approves and blesses us. Love is a Christian`s
weapon, with love we overcome all enmity and wrong behaviour. Love covers a multitude of sins, and love changes men and women: Life will become more enjoyable. The Holy Spirit will help and guide us, and Jesus our Saviour will
lead us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY.
The Bible tells us: " Repent and be Born Again," we give up all selfish wishes and wants, and start loving and caring. People will know that we represent God, and they will treat us the same as we treat people. Let us keep asking for Love and Joy, then thank God and share all Love and Joy, and kindness and the occasional helping hand. That is how God wants us to be, living a Christian Life. I say this with love, watchman. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ. P.S. Love is also a great weapon to keep Satan and all his followers at bay: Satan runs away from all love and compassion.

 

[1watchman]

I certainly agree with Christians showing the love of God to others, for their good and also to help encourage them in God's ways; however, the main point of the OP is that one must first be "born again" as a "child of God" ---saved for eternity by life in Jesus, the Christ of God. Then one will possess the love of God to share with others (note John 14:6).

The love of God is "shed abroad in our heart" by knowing the Savior. If all we talk about is loving God, the seeker will not learn of the Savior. So often we hear of souls trying to follow the ways of God, and missing the blessings they want because they have not received the Savior. The teachings of Jesus is not in itself salvation, but life in Him is, so the first thing is to possess the Lord and not just profess Him.