C
Group
Their Definition of A Christian
Their Genuine Concern
The Danger
Application Question
Christians are Jews who have recognized Jesus as the promised Saviour. Therefore any Gentile desiring to become a Christian MUST first become a Jew.
Having a high regard for God’s word and his choice of Jew as his people, they did NOT want to see God’s commands overlooked or broken.
Trends to add human traditions and standards to God’s Law. Also, subtracts from the scripture God’s clear concern for all nations.
DO YOU APPRECIATE GOD’S CHOICE OF A UNIQUE PEOPLE THROUGH WHICH HE OFFERED FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL PEOPLES?
Christians are those who live by a long list of “donts”. God’s favour is earned by good behaviour.
Recognized that real change brought about God should lead to changes in behaviour.
Tends to make God’s love something to earn rather than to accept freely. Would reduce Christianity to a set of impossible rules and transform the Good News into BAD NEWS.
AS IMPORTANT AS CHANGE IN ACTION IS CAN YOU SEE THAT GOD MAY BE DESIRING DIFFERENT CHANGES IN YOU THAN IN OTHERS?
Christians live above the law. They need no guidelines. God’s word is not as important as our personal sense of God’s guidance.
Recognized that forgiveness from God cannot be based on our ability to live up to his perfect standards. It must be received by faith as a gift made possible by Christ’s death on the cross.
Forgets that Christian are still human and fail consistently when trying to live only by what they ‘feel’ God wants.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE ONGOING NEED FOR GOD’S EXPRESSED AS YOU LIVE OUT YOUR GRATITUTE FOR HIS GREAT SALVATION?
True Christianity
Christians are those who believe inwardly and outwardly that Jesus’ death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. They have accepted that gift by faith and are seeking to live a life of obedience gratitude for what God has done for them.
Christianity is both private and public heart-belief and mouth-confession. Our relationship to God and the power he provides result in obedience. Having received the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, we are now daily challenged to live that life with his help.
Avoid the above dangers.
HOW WOULD THOSE CLOSES TO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CHRISTIANITY? DO THEY THINK YOU LIVE SO THAT GOD WILL ACCEPT YOU OR DO THEY KNOW THAT YOU LIVE BECAUSE GOD HAS ACCEPTED YOU IN CHRIST?
Their Definition of A Christian
Their Genuine Concern
The Danger
Application Question
Judaized Christianity
Having a high regard for God’s word and his choice of Jew as his people, they did NOT want to see God’s commands overlooked or broken.
Trends to add human traditions and standards to God’s Law. Also, subtracts from the scripture God’s clear concern for all nations.
DO YOU APPRECIATE GOD’S CHOICE OF A UNIQUE PEOPLE THROUGH WHICH HE OFFERED FORGIVENESS AND ETERNAL LIFE TO ALL PEOPLES?
Legalized Christianity
Recognized that real change brought about God should lead to changes in behaviour.
Tends to make God’s love something to earn rather than to accept freely. Would reduce Christianity to a set of impossible rules and transform the Good News into BAD NEWS.
AS IMPORTANT AS CHANGE IN ACTION IS CAN YOU SEE THAT GOD MAY BE DESIRING DIFFERENT CHANGES IN YOU THAN IN OTHERS?
Lawless Christianity
Recognized that forgiveness from God cannot be based on our ability to live up to his perfect standards. It must be received by faith as a gift made possible by Christ’s death on the cross.
Forgets that Christian are still human and fail consistently when trying to live only by what they ‘feel’ God wants.
DO YOU RECOGNIZE THE ONGOING NEED FOR GOD’S EXPRESSED AS YOU LIVE OUT YOUR GRATITUTE FOR HIS GREAT SALVATION?
True Christianity
Christians are those who believe inwardly and outwardly that Jesus’ death has allowed God to offer them forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. They have accepted that gift by faith and are seeking to live a life of obedience gratitude for what God has done for them.
Christianity is both private and public heart-belief and mouth-confession. Our relationship to God and the power he provides result in obedience. Having received the gift of forgiveness and eternal life, we are now daily challenged to live that life with his help.
Avoid the above dangers.
HOW WOULD THOSE CLOSES TO YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CHRISTIANITY? DO THEY THINK YOU LIVE SO THAT GOD WILL ACCEPT YOU OR DO THEY KNOW THAT YOU LIVE BECAUSE GOD HAS ACCEPTED YOU IN CHRIST?