Growth of true New Testament Christianity is good, even vital, because it means that souls are being saved from eternal condemnation, and lives of promise and hope are being embraced. What makes one a Christian makes him free from guilt and condemnation for his past sins (Romans 6:17,18), makes him a child of God with the promise of an eternal inheritance (Galatians 3:26,27; 1 Peter 1:3-5), and makes him a member of the church of Christ, in which he works and worships and receives strength from his fellows (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:15,16).
Month: June, 2008
Misperceptions of True New Testament Christianity
Christians are taught to live discreetly in purity and holiness so as not to give adversaries occasion to speak reproachfully against the cause of Christ (1 Timothy 5: 14; Titus 2:5,8; 1 Peter 2:11,12; 1 Timothy 6:1). Yet, too often, the ill-will that the world of unbelief holds against Christianity is based upon wrongdoing by nominal Christians defended at times by religious organizations and people in high places. The great King David gave great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme when he sinned in the matter of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 12:14). The Apostle Peter was blameworthy for behaving hypocritically and influencing others to hold racial prejudice (Galatians 2:11-16). It is easy for us to become careless or hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). For this reason we are exhorted over and over to be holy, pure, above reproach, a good example always, proclaiming the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).