Embedded Files
The year was around 1955 when Jim Warren Jones began his Peoples’ Temple in the state of Indiana. This “religion” was based around faith healing and grew exponentially throughout the ‘60s and into the ‘70s, to the point that Jones was eventually creating his own sanctuary for his church, simply called Jonestown. According to Wikipedia, there were thousands upon thousands of members of this religion, most likely around 4,000 total. This was a pretty large movement that swept the US within some of our lifetimes, where people found a new outlet for their faith, a new trend to believe in.
The year was around 1955 when Jim Warren Jones began his Peoples’ Temple in the state of Indiana. This “religion” was based around faith healing and grew exponentially throughout the ‘60s and into the ‘70s, to the point that Jones was eventually creating his own sanctuary for his church, simply called Jonestown. According to Wikipedia, there were thousands upon thousands of members of this religion, most likely around 4,000 total. This was a pretty large movement that swept the US within some of our lifetimes, where people found a new outlet for their faith, a new trend to believe in.
But the more-or-less end of this religion shows that the Peoples’ Temple clearly meant more to its members than simply being a trend or a fad. Because, you see, the Peoples’ Temple was less a religion and more a cult. And by November 18, 1978, the government had begun stepping in to answer reports of abuse against the members, even sending in the military to take a hand in the conflict. And Jones, sensing his power endangered and his options for future growth fading, decided to end it all in a mass cult suicide. 909 people took their own lives due to the teachings and influence of Jim Jones. 304 of these victims were children.
But the more-or-less end of this religion shows that the Peoples’ Temple clearly meant more to its members than simply being a trend or a fad. Because, you see, the Peoples’ Temple was less a religion and more a cult. And by November 18, 1978, the government had begun stepping in to answer reports of abuse against the members, even sending in the military to take a hand in the conflict. And Jones, sensing his power endangered and his options for future growth fading, decided to end it all in a mass cult suicide. 909 people took their own lives due to the teachings and influence of Jim Jones. 304 of these victims were children.
This is a crazy story to think about. The idea of a single man gaining enough power and control to be able to manipulate 900+ people into taking their own lives. And one of the scariest things about this story is how recent it was-the suicide took place less than 50 years ago. We’ve been able to watch this rise to—and fall from—power all based on the lies of a cult leader.
This is a crazy story to think about. The idea of a single man gaining enough power and control to be able to manipulate 900+ people into taking their own lives. And one of the scariest things about this story is how recent it was-the suicide took place less than 50 years ago. We’ve been able to watch this rise to—and fall from—power all based on the lies of a cult leader.
And what’s interesting is that warnings of men like Jim Jones can be found in the Bible. Matthew 7:15 reads: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” As Jesus is wrapping up His famous Sermon on the Mount, begins to teach the crowd about knowing people by their fruits, in other words, by their actions and attitude. And notice how He begins this lesson: Beware of false prophets. Beware of those who claim to be one thing, who claim to want to help you, but deep down, He says, they are ravenous wolves, they’re impostors.
And what’s interesting is that warnings of men like Jim Jones can be found in the Bible. Matthew 7:15 reads: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” As Jesus is wrapping up His famous Sermon on the Mount, begins to teach the crowd about knowing people by their fruits, in other words, by their actions and attitude. And notice how He begins this lesson: Beware of false prophets. Beware of those who claim to be one thing, who claim to want to help you, but deep down, He says, they are ravenous wolves, they’re impostors.
Look also at Galatians 1:8-9. The verses read: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
Look also at Galatians 1:8-9. The verses read: “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”
The Bible is clear in letting us know that there will be false prophets out there, that there will be people trying to pull us away from faith. Jesus called them wolves, which directly correlates to the analogy used to depict Christians time and again throughout the Bible: sheep. We have to know that there are false doctrines out there, and how they will try and pull us away from God.
The Bible is clear in letting us know that there will be false prophets out there, that there will be people trying to pull us away from faith. Jesus called them wolves, which directly correlates to the analogy used to depict Christians time and again throughout the Bible: sheep. We have to know that there are false doctrines out there, and how they will try and pull us away from God.
But my question is this: How did he do it? How did Jim Jones manage to bring together thousands of people, to the point where he is trying to create his own city, and then convince them all to kill themselves and their children? His message wasn’t the truth, it wasn’t based in fact, so how was he able to pull this off?
But my question is this: How did he do it? How did Jim Jones manage to bring together thousands of people, to the point where he is trying to create his own city, and then convince them all to kill themselves and their children? His message wasn’t the truth, it wasn’t based in fact, so how was he able to pull this off?
Jesus actually answers this question for us as well. Turn to Matthew 13. In this passage, we find Jesus teaching a parable that explains how these false prophets, how these men like Jim Jones, are able to pull people away from the faith. Read verses 1-9. They read: “On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’”
Jesus actually answers this question for us as well. Turn to Matthew 13. In this passage, we find Jesus teaching a parable that explains how these false prophets, how these men like Jim Jones, are able to pull people away from the faith. Read verses 1-9. They read: “On the same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.3 Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: ‘Behold, a sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. 5 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. 9 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!’”
This parable teaches us something very important about our faith. It teaches us the concept of a foundation. The seed in this parable is, of course, the Gospel, as Jesus explains in verses 18 and following. He mentions those who hear it but lack a strong enough foundation to cling to it: the seed that fell on the stony places, that being he who initially receives the word with joy, but falls away due to trials and tribulations, in other words, when their faith is tested. He also mentions the seed that fell among thorns, that being he who lets the cares and riches of the world drag him away from faith. And then of course, He teaches about the seed that fell on the good ground; He who hears the word and understands it, verse 23.
This parable teaches us something very important about our faith. It teaches us the concept of a foundation. The seed in this parable is, of course, the Gospel, as Jesus explains in verses 18 and following. He mentions those who hear it but lack a strong enough foundation to cling to it: the seed that fell on the stony places, that being he who initially receives the word with joy, but falls away due to trials and tribulations, in other words, when their faith is tested. He also mentions the seed that fell among thorns, that being he who lets the cares and riches of the world drag him away from faith. And then of course, He teaches about the seed that fell on the good ground; He who hears the word and understands it, verse 23.
That’s how false prophets are able to lure people away from the faith. That’s how Jim Jones is able to convince 900+ people to kill themselves in the name of “religion”. If the foundation of the faith is weak, Jesus tells us that the faith will not survive. So with this article I wanted to try and reinforce the foundations of our faith. What do we believe, and more importantly, why do we believe it?
That’s how false prophets are able to lure people away from the faith. That’s how Jim Jones is able to convince 900+ people to kill themselves in the name of “religion”. If the foundation of the faith is weak, Jesus tells us that the faith will not survive. So with this article I wanted to try and reinforce the foundations of our faith. What do we believe, and more importantly, why do we believe it?
Turn to 2 Timothy 3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the verses read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Turn to 2 Timothy 3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17, the verses read: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
These verses actually tell us two things that help make up the foundation for our faith. The first is the most obvious, found in verse 16; all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. The entirety of the scriptures are God-breathed. Proving this to be true could be a whole article, or even a whole book in and of itself; I could go over the fact that, despite being written by multiple authors, across hundreds of years, the Bible doesn’t contain a single contradiction. I could talk about the historical or scientific accuracy of the Bible, or the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible, all of these pointing towards the fact that the Bible itself lays out for us: It was inspired by an almighty God.
These verses actually tell us two things that help make up the foundation for our faith. The first is the most obvious, found in verse 16; all Scripture is given by inspiration of God. The entirety of the scriptures are God-breathed. Proving this to be true could be a whole article, or even a whole book in and of itself; I could go over the fact that, despite being written by multiple authors, across hundreds of years, the Bible doesn’t contain a single contradiction. I could talk about the historical or scientific accuracy of the Bible, or the fulfilled prophecies of the Bible, all of these pointing towards the fact that the Bible itself lays out for us: It was inspired by an almighty God.
Now this aspect of our faith seems very basic, but don’t take for granted what it truly means; I mentioned that there were two things we could glean from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and the second factor is taken from verse 17: “That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Now this aspect of our faith seems very basic, but don’t take for granted what it truly means; I mentioned that there were two things we could glean from 2 Timothy 3:16-17, and the second factor is taken from verse 17: “That the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
The Bible isn’t just inspired by God; it is the ONLY document inspired by God, and is ALL we need in order to obtain salvation. We have it that we may be COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY equipped for EVERY good work.
The Bible isn’t just inspired by God; it is the ONLY document inspired by God, and is ALL we need in order to obtain salvation. We have it that we may be COMPLETE, THOROUGHLY equipped for EVERY good work.
This is an important distinction. The words “church” and “Christian” are so broad these days that it’s become very evident that this basic principle, this essential piece of our foundation, has been shattered. Think about how many denominations, how many “other churches” exist today. Places and groups of people that claim to follow God, but ultimately fall short of this basic step. For some, they believe the Bible has too many teachings, and are more loose with its commands. Some think the Bible isn’t enough, and add other “holy texts” to their doctrine. So as a result, we see all kinds of trends pop out within places of worship, all because people fail to understand what the inspiration of the Bible means.
This is an important distinction. The words “church” and “Christian” are so broad these days that it’s become very evident that this basic principle, this essential piece of our foundation, has been shattered. Think about how many denominations, how many “other churches” exist today. Places and groups of people that claim to follow God, but ultimately fall short of this basic step. For some, they believe the Bible has too many teachings, and are more loose with its commands. Some think the Bible isn’t enough, and add other “holy texts” to their doctrine. So as a result, we see all kinds of trends pop out within places of worship, all because people fail to understand what the inspiration of the Bible means.
And this idea that the scriptures aren’t all we need are what give false prophets, are what give men like Jim Jones, a foothold, and allow them to gain a following. Muhammed, founder of the nation of Islam, didn’t just create his own religion; he expanded on Christianity by claiming that the angel Gabriel had delivered to him another revelation, his Qur’an. Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, claimed a similar origin. We see these men taking what God gave us and twisting it, taking advantage of weak foundations, and using them to gain power for themselves.
And this idea that the scriptures aren’t all we need are what give false prophets, are what give men like Jim Jones, a foothold, and allow them to gain a following. Muhammed, founder of the nation of Islam, didn’t just create his own religion; he expanded on Christianity by claiming that the angel Gabriel had delivered to him another revelation, his Qur’an. Joseph Smith, founder of Mormonism, claimed a similar origin. We see these men taking what God gave us and twisting it, taking advantage of weak foundations, and using them to gain power for themselves.
This is why the authority of the scriptures is such a crucial element of our faith, and why I wanted to speak on it this morning; if our belief in the Bible is undermined, it leaves a gap, a gap that men will try and fill. And so time and again, the Bible lets us know that there it is the ONLY source of truth; John 17:17: “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.”, or 1 Peter 1:20-21: "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” It is vital to our faith that we understand that the Bible is inspired by God, and it ALONE is inspired by God.
This is why the authority of the scriptures is such a crucial element of our faith, and why I wanted to speak on it this morning; if our belief in the Bible is undermined, it leaves a gap, a gap that men will try and fill. And so time and again, the Bible lets us know that there it is the ONLY source of truth; John 17:17: “Sanctify them by your truth. Your word is truth.”, or 1 Peter 1:20-21: "knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” It is vital to our faith that we understand that the Bible is inspired by God, and it ALONE is inspired by God.
So once we understand this, it brings up a question: What does the Bible teach? We have God’s own words to us written down in the scriptures, so we need to know what He asks us to do, and how we should live.
So once we understand this, it brings up a question: What does the Bible teach? We have God’s own words to us written down in the scriptures, so we need to know what He asks us to do, and how we should live.
John 14:15, Jesus speaking. He says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
John 14:15, Jesus speaking. He says: “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
This verse is a very simple one, but it tells us the next step in building our faith; following the commandments we find in the Bible. To believe its inspiration is important, absolutely, but if we don’t act on those beliefs, then the beliefs themselves don’t mean a lot. So Jesus tells us; if we plan on being children of His, if we plan on being Christians we have to follow His commands.
This verse is a very simple one, but it tells us the next step in building our faith; following the commandments we find in the Bible. To believe its inspiration is important, absolutely, but if we don’t act on those beliefs, then the beliefs themselves don’t mean a lot. So Jesus tells us; if we plan on being children of His, if we plan on being Christians we have to follow His commands.
So what are those commands? Matthew 22:37-40 read: “37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” These three verses tell us the way that we as Christians should live. We should love God, and we should love others. And if you’ll remember, one of the Fruits of the Spirit, one of the byproducts of studying God’s Word and living a Christian life, is indeed love. So the foundation for our belief is a Bible inspired by God. The practice of our belief is, in a word, love.
So what are those commands? Matthew 22:37-40 read: “37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” These three verses tell us the way that we as Christians should live. We should love God, and we should love others. And if you’ll remember, one of the Fruits of the Spirit, one of the byproducts of studying God’s Word and living a Christian life, is indeed love. So the foundation for our belief is a Bible inspired by God. The practice of our belief is, in a word, love.
There’s a hymn titled “They’ll know we are Christians”, and the premise of the hymn is very simple; the words simply reinforce the idea that the world will know we are Christians BY OUR LOVE. This idea that we should love all people and regard them as what they are: souls. Romans 12:10, we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Matthew 22:39, as I mentioned we love our neighbor, which is reinforced in Romans 13:10. Matthew 5:44, we’re even to love our enemies! It’s not us against the world, it’s us against sin, which the world is drowning in. The Bible makes it clear that our calling is not to condemn the sinners of the world, but to love them, and to try and save them.
There’s a hymn titled “They’ll know we are Christians”, and the premise of the hymn is very simple; the words simply reinforce the idea that the world will know we are Christians BY OUR LOVE. This idea that we should love all people and regard them as what they are: souls. Romans 12:10, we love our brothers and sisters in Christ. Matthew 22:39, as I mentioned we love our neighbor, which is reinforced in Romans 13:10. Matthew 5:44, we’re even to love our enemies! It’s not us against the world, it’s us against sin, which the world is drowning in. The Bible makes it clear that our calling is not to condemn the sinners of the world, but to love them, and to try and save them.
But this isn’t all we’re told to do in order to live the Christian life; turn to Acts 2:38. The verse reads: “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This one verse tells us two more things we need in order to be Christians; to first Repent, and then to be Baptized. These are basic concepts that most Christiams seem to understand, but I don’t want us to take them for granted; these are commands directed to us by God, and as a result they should be evaluated as imperative to our lives. So we are to repent, we are to turn away from past sin, and we are to be immersed in the waters of baptism. These two things factors will aid in our walk towards heaven.
But this isn’t all we’re told to do in order to live the Christian life; turn to Acts 2:38. The verse reads: “Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This one verse tells us two more things we need in order to be Christians; to first Repent, and then to be Baptized. These are basic concepts that most Christiams seem to understand, but I don’t want us to take them for granted; these are commands directed to us by God, and as a result they should be evaluated as imperative to our lives. So we are to repent, we are to turn away from past sin, and we are to be immersed in the waters of baptism. These two things factors will aid in our walk towards heaven.
And again, the reason I chose to write on this topic is, despite this seeming to be such a simple concept, there are those out there who believe in God, who believe in heaven, and who strive to get there, but fall short this teaching! Think of the “churches” out there which disregard the teachings of baptism and repentance, or misconstrue them. Who claim to know God and claim to follow His teachings, but ultimately fall short of obeying the commands to repent and be baptized. This is why the foundation of our faith is so important; we can’t afford to be wrong when it comes to obeying God.
And again, the reason I chose to write on this topic is, despite this seeming to be such a simple concept, there are those out there who believe in God, who believe in heaven, and who strive to get there, but fall short this teaching! Think of the “churches” out there which disregard the teachings of baptism and repentance, or misconstrue them. Who claim to know God and claim to follow His teachings, but ultimately fall short of obeying the commands to repent and be baptized. This is why the foundation of our faith is so important; we can’t afford to be wrong when it comes to obeying God.
We see another command about our relationships with others in Matthew 28, a command I pointed out last time I spoke here from Mark’s perspective in Mark 16. Matthew 28:19-20 read: “’19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
We see another command about our relationships with others in Matthew 28, a command I pointed out last time I spoke here from Mark’s perspective in Mark 16. Matthew 28:19-20 read: “’19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
Evangelism, the spreading of the good news of the death of Christ. His last command to us while He was here on the earth was for us to take His message to others. We see that apostles take this message to heart in Acts, as the Church that Christ founded began to flourish. And we know it’s just as important for us to continue spreading that message, as we’re all a part of that very same church, and should be spreading that very same Gospel.
Evangelism, the spreading of the good news of the death of Christ. His last command to us while He was here on the earth was for us to take His message to others. We see that apostles take this message to heart in Acts, as the Church that Christ founded began to flourish. And we know it’s just as important for us to continue spreading that message, as we’re all a part of that very same church, and should be spreading that very same Gospel.
I believe 1 Corinthians 11:1 best sums up the Christian life. The command that we’re given by the apostle Paul tells how we should look, what our lives should show. The verse simply reads: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. Paul was setting an example for the Corinthians as he taught them about how they ought to worship later on the chapter. But as he sets this example, he points them towards an even greater example, an example that he himself was trying to follow, and one that we all should strive to follow today: The example of Jesus Christ.
I believe 1 Corinthians 11:1 best sums up the Christian life. The command that we’re given by the apostle Paul tells how we should look, what our lives should show. The verse simply reads: “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”. Paul was setting an example for the Corinthians as he taught them about how they ought to worship later on the chapter. But as he sets this example, he points them towards an even greater example, an example that he himself was trying to follow, and one that we all should strive to follow today: The example of Jesus Christ.
That’s what our faith should look like. We as Christians are to hold the Bible as the ultimate authority, and add nothing to or take anything away from it. We are to love every single person we come into contact with, and if they are lost, we’re to try and bring them to Jesus. We are to repent from sin in our lives, and be immersed in the waters of baptism. Romans 10 also lets us know we are to confess Christ as the Son of God before men. If we truly love God, we follow the commands He laid out for us in His word. In short, we are to strive to look more like Jesus Christ each and every day.
That’s what our faith should look like. We as Christians are to hold the Bible as the ultimate authority, and add nothing to or take anything away from it. We are to love every single person we come into contact with, and if they are lost, we’re to try and bring them to Jesus. We are to repent from sin in our lives, and be immersed in the waters of baptism. Romans 10 also lets us know we are to confess Christ as the Son of God before men. If we truly love God, we follow the commands He laid out for us in His word. In short, we are to strive to look more like Jesus Christ each and every day.
Jim Jones was not inspired by God. Mohammed was not inspired by God. Joseph Smith was not inspired by God. And yet people still believed them, and continue to believe them today. So it’s imperative for us to be sure—absolutely sure—that our faith is planted on the right foundation. That we KNOW what we believe is true, and that it is what will lead us to eternal life.
Jim Jones was not inspired by God. Mohammed was not inspired by God. Joseph Smith was not inspired by God. And yet people still believed them, and continue to believe them today. So it’s imperative for us to be sure—absolutely sure—that our faith is planted on the right foundation. That we KNOW what we believe is true, and that it is what will lead us to eternal life.
The story of the Peoples’ Temple and Jim Jones has spawned a phrase within culture. If someone is said to fully believe something that is proven to be false, people might say they have “drunk the koolaid.” This is a reference to the method by which those 909 people died in Jonestown on November 18th, 1978: they drank koolaid laced with cyanide. They fully believed that what their “prophet” or “preacher” was teaching them was the truth, and they were willing to die for it. Ultimately, of course, we know that the whole religion was a ruse, was a con. So this morning I wanted to make sure that we’re not drinking that koolaid. That the things we believe in, the things we would be ready to die for, are not in vain, are not a con. We have hope for eternal life, and we know WHY that’s promised and HOW we can attain it. And that’s a belief worth dying for, a belief that won’t be proven to be a lie.
The story of the Peoples’ Temple and Jim Jones has spawned a phrase within culture. If someone is said to fully believe something that is proven to be false, people might say they have “drunk the koolaid.” This is a reference to the method by which those 909 people died in Jonestown on November 18th, 1978: they drank koolaid laced with cyanide. They fully believed that what their “prophet” or “preacher” was teaching them was the truth, and they were willing to die for it. Ultimately, of course, we know that the whole religion was a ruse, was a con. So this morning I wanted to make sure that we’re not drinking that koolaid. That the things we believe in, the things we would be ready to die for, are not in vain, are not a con. We have hope for eternal life, and we know WHY that’s promised and HOW we can attain it. And that’s a belief worth dying for, a belief that won’t be proven to be a lie.
So as I conclude this article I would like to ask: How strong is your faith right now? If you were told that, in order to obtain salvation, you needed to do something that would kill you, would you do it? Because as Christians, we are told that we’ll be put to death; Ephesians 4:20-22 reads: “But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” Romans 12:1 reads: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
So as I conclude this article I would like to ask: How strong is your faith right now? If you were told that, in order to obtain salvation, you needed to do something that would kill you, would you do it? Because as Christians, we are told that we’ll be put to death; Ephesians 4:20-22 reads: “But you have not so learned Christ, 21if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.” Romans 12:1 reads: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
We die when we choose to become Christians. We don’t die physically, we don’t drink koolaid laced with cyanide. But we die to ourselves, we take up a cross. We die to the old man, to the sinful man, and become a living sacrifice, existing entirely to bring glory to God. That’s how strong our faith has to be! So as you go throughout your day, constantly ask yourself; what is your foundation? What do you believe, and why do you believe it?
We die when we choose to become Christians. We don’t die physically, we don’t drink koolaid laced with cyanide. But we die to ourselves, we take up a cross. We die to the old man, to the sinful man, and become a living sacrifice, existing entirely to bring glory to God. That’s how strong our faith has to be! So as you go throughout your day, constantly ask yourself; what is your foundation? What do you believe, and why do you believe it?
-Reese
-Reese
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