Sometimes we lose sight of the basics to our Christian faith. The elements of Christianity setting us apart from the world and other religions.
They are essential to help us grow in relationship with Christ. And they are the spiritual tools we need to live as a believer.
So, here are the ABC’s of a Christian life.
A-F Basics for Our Christian Faith
Abide in Christ. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5, ESV.
Believe God. Believe what God says and who He is. Because when the journey turns bumpy, our Christian beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” Romans 4:3b, NIV.
[bctt tweet=”Believe what God says and who He is. Because when the journey turns bumpy, our Christian #beliefs carry us over life’s potholes. #ChristianLiving @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]
Confess. Confess our sin against God, own it, and take responsibility for when we go in the wrong direction. Because sometimes we fall into sin or we fail to walk in the direction God instructed (Proverbs 28:13 and James 4:17).
Declare God’s glory and works. We declare His glory and works to others and ourselves. In other words, preach it. Then preach it to the choir. “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!” Psalm 96:3, ESV.
Encourage other believers. “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” 1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV.
Forget what’s behind. Looking back on our life may help us move forward. But Jesus never intended for the past to paralyze us (Philippians 3:13-14).
G-L Truths of Our Christian Faith
Give all. We give our heart to Jesus. Yet, it never ends there. Giving Christ everything: our cares, desires, goals, and relationships (1 Peter 5:7, Romans 12:1).
Hope in the Hope-giver. False and weaker forms of hope exist. Yet, true hope is only found in the Lord. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” Romans 15:13, ESV.
Imitate Jesus. Not just following Jesus as a one time deal. But follow through by imitating His life (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Join the saints. Unite with other believers in the gospel and protect the unity of the Spirit (Ephesians 4:1-13).
Know Jesus more. “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” 2 Peter 3:18a, ESV.
Live on purpose. Be intentional about living the Christian life through the power of Christ (Galatians 2:20).
[bctt tweet=”Live on purpose, intentional in living the Christian life through the power of Christ. #ChristianLiving #faith @FridayKaren” username=”PatHolbrook”]
M-S Basics of Our Christian Faith
Make disciples. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” Matthew 28:19a, ESV.
Never turn back. Only turn back from our old self, never from the cross. “But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world…” Galatians 4:9a, ESV.
Obey the Lord. Obeying the Lord and His commands is always for our good and His glory. Jesus said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28, NIV.
Pray without ceasing. There is power in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17, James 5:14-16).
Quiet time with Christ. Spend time alone with Christ to mute the world’s constant noise and hear His voice (Mark 6:30-32).
Renew our mind. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” Romans 12:2, NIV.
Seek righteousness. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” Matthew 6:33, NIV.
T-Z Truths of Our Christian Faith
Trust in the Lord. God is trustworthy and faithful to His promises. “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” Psalm 91:2, NIV.
Uphold the cause. The Lord upholds the cause of the poor, oppressed, needy, and fatherless. We’re called to the same ministry (Matthew 25:31-40, Psalm 82:3, Isaiah 61:1-3).
Value godliness. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come” I Timothy 4:8, NLT.
Walk in the Spirit. “So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” Galatians 5:16, NIV.
X-ray the inner man. X-rays allow us to view the inside for a diagnosis and treatment. The Holy Spirit views our inside to transform us into God’s likeness (Proverbs 20:27, Psalm 139).
Yield to God’s discipline. “…he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness” Hebrews 12:10b, ESV.
Zoom in on God’s Word. Zooming gives clarity to an image or content. As we magnify God’s commandments and promises, it gives clarity for Christian living (Psalm 119).
LINKUP PARTY opens on Wednesdays at 6 am!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
[bctt tweet=”LINKUP is open. Join my friend @FridayKaren as we remember the basics of our Christian beliefs, the elements of Christianity that set us apart from religion, and help us grow in our relationship with Christ. Share your blog!” username=”PatHolbrook”]
There are so many false notions in the world about what Christianity is or should be. It does help to get back to basics sometimes.
Barbara, there really are so many ideas out there. And getting back to the basics always brings us to God’s Word that defines the basics with truth.
I wondered what you would have for “x!” Thanks for this thorough and helpful list. Praise God for these basics and the foundation they lay for life in him!
Yes, Bethany, we need that strong and secure foundation in Christ.
As I started reading through the alphabet, I wondered what you would say for “Z”. You gave new meaning to the word “zoom” and I love it!
Thanks, Joanne. I was reminded that when we zoom in to look over a photo or anything, it helps us see the details. It’s the same with God’s Word.
This is so great! It’s like an alphabet book for grown up faith!
I love that, Rebecca! So many times we forget the basics to any subject, I pray we remember the roots to our faith!
Happy to travel back to the basics with you today!
Thank you. Sometimes we need to be reminded of the basics, elements of Christianity setting us apart from the world and other religions, the spiritual tools we need to live as a believer.
I’ve used the alphabet to list God’s attributes. I’ve never used it as you did today. How fun! Thanks, Karen.
Debbie, that sounds like a great list from A-Z, too!
Karen, great job on finding a word and scripture for each letter of the alphabet! Love this so much!
As Joanne said, you gave new meaning to the word “zoom.”
Thank you, Jerralea. It certainly reminds my heart to revisit the foundations of our Christian faith more and more often!
Hi Karen! Thanks for this biblical encouragement from A to Z — love it!
Thank you, Joy. These really are the spiritual tools we need to live as a believer. To live the Bible as it lives in us.
Love, love, love your abc’s.
Thanks so much, Lauren. Pray they encourage you!
I thought for sure z would be zeal – which is a classic christianese word. But I like zoom.
Always good to go back to basics.
Hey Nylse, yes, zeal is used a lot. But when we all imagine zooming in on something to see every intricate part, it hits home and brings that clarity for God’s Word in our lives!