Disclaimer

Disclaimer: I am not a Biblical scholar. All my posts and comments are opinions and thoughts formulated through my current understanding of the Bible. I strive to speak of things that can be validated through Biblical Scriptures, and when I'm merely speculating, I make sure to note it. My views can be flawed, and I thus welcome any constructive perspectives and criticisms!

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

100428: What does it mean to be a Christian?


What do you do as a Christian?
- Glorify God
- Share our testimony and strengthen other people’s faith.
- Own relationship with God and how you interact with other people.
→ Look for evidence in the Word

2 Corinthian 4:7-12
*4:11-12
o Carrying death = carrying death of Christ (you are cleanse by Christ’s blood)
Sinning, giving up yourself to Christ (death to the old self)
o Outwards comes life (and out of that comes life)

What does the new self do?
2 Corinthian 12: 7
2 Corinthian 12: 10
Will not take trials / tribulations from you, but it won’t break in (sides of the jar, sides of the clay), it will not break you.
→ Pleads to take away the problems. But God says,” My grace is enough.”
→ Weakness (my power is made perfect in weakness)
→ “for” is a connecting word to say they will explain it more later.

Mathew 11:29
“Take my yoke upon you and LEARN FROM ME”
→ 1) Becoming a Christian (take my yoke upon you)
2) Being a Christian (LEARN FROM ME)

Mathew 16:24: Famous version of “take my yoke” = becoming a Christian

Ephesian 5
“Be imitators of God” (imitate Christ)
→ Christ had to carry his cross.
→ your cross: death and be born again, follow his footsteps and be like him.

Give up your life for God.
3 John 11
→ How do you define good and evil?
→ Proverbs 15:33

2 Corinthians 8:7

What does it mean to give? What do you give?
2 Corinthians 9: 6 – 15
→ Giving comes from the heart
→ Giving: tiding (10% of income: money, things)
→ the beginning is from the heart: so if your heart is in the right place.
Should not be reluctantly or under compulsion (as in forced to pay taxes)
→ 1 Samuel 16:7 (giving from the heart)
David: Youngest, smallest and weakest
(picture of Christ)
→ Luke 20:45 (worshipping from the heart)
Philipians 2:1-11
→ Be humble. Remove egocentric. Being one in spirit and purpose.
How: consider others better than yourselves => think of yourself less than others => you are a servant
Only the humbled are honor
So far we have covered that being a Christian means…
Your Heart is in the right place to give, be humble, be a servant and do not judge in the idea of imitating God.

Psalm 1:12
1 Corinthians 4:1
Christians shouldn’t judge. PERIOD. Do not judge. Not yourself. Not others.
So you don’t judge yourself poorly. Or greatly (which would leave to self-righteousness)

Galatians 3:26 – 4:7
→ We are equal. We are also a child, subject to guardian and trustee. We are no better. No one is better than the other. => Ties back to why we should not judge.

James 2
 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you (The Golden Rule)
 No favoritism. Don’t judge.
 Law that gives freedom vs law that does not give freedom
Law of condemnation: Exodus (ex. 10 commandments) => expose your sins.
Law gives freedom: through grace and faith, redeems you from your sins.

*The Beatitudes: Mathew 5
Speaking of attitude:
Those who are poor will be made rich in the NEXT life.
(For if you are already rich in this life, there is nothing more to obtain.)

Proverbs 20:23
The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.

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