THE FOUNDATION OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16 NIV).
Just because certain people have chosen a particular kind of Christianity that’s not based on the Scriptures and have decided that it represents Christianity, doesn’t mean that what they are practicing is Christianity at all. True Christianity is based on the Bible—the Word of God.
Our opening scripture says, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). Every Christian believes, accepts, confesses, endorses and proclaims that the Bible is absolutely true and it’s the final arbiter concerning everything in life. Otherwise, such a person isn’t a Christian.
Also, the Christian accepts that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that means He’s God in the flesh: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). Plus that, the Christian acknowledges that Jesus died as our Saviour: “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
The Christian confesses that Jesus was raised from the dead and professes that He is alive today: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9). Revelation 1:18, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.”
So it makes no difference for how long you’ve professed to be a Christian or the title by which you’re addressed; if you don’t accept, believe, and confess these truths, you’re not a Christian according to the Bible. This is the beginning of the definition of who a Christian is. Why is this so important?
It’s because the transcendent life in Christ that the Bible talks about is only available to those who believe. Believing involves two essential components: accepting the truthfulness of something and confessing it, while acting accordingly. Without these, belief is incomplete. Praise God.
PRAYER
Dear Father, I thank you for the light of your Word that defines and directs my life. I believe, accept, confess, and proclaim the absolute truth of the Scriptures. I boldly affirm that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, died as my Saviour, was raised from the dead, and now, lives in my heart by His Spirit. I live by these truths, walking in the full blessings of your Word, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY
Romans 10:8-10, 1 John 4:1-3, 2 Timothy 3:16
1-Year Bible Reading Plan: Luke 6:17-49 & Deuteronomy 31-32
2-Year Bible Reading Plan: Matthew 26:1-13 & Exodus 35
