A great man of God once said, “the successful Christian life is like martial arts, you are only good as long as you practice the fundamentals”. In other words, no matter how deep or knowledgeable you may be in martial arts, sports, music, or Christianity, if you do not do the fundamentals; prayer, obedience, humility, pubic assembly with other believers, public and private worship, study and application of the bible, introspection and frequent confession and repentance. You will neither be successful or happy in this walk with Christ.
As I was thinking about this message here are the thoughts that came to mind…
I cannot have peace and purity of mind and heart unless I am doing Philippians 4:8-9.
I cannot be successful in my finances unless I do Malachi 3:8-12.
I cannot be fruitful unless I embrace and allow Galatians 5:22,23 to be active in my life.
I cannot resist Galatians 5:19-21, unless I do Galatians 5:24-26.
I must not be a partaker, practicer or accomplice of any of the Galatians 5:19-21 sins. Not in action or entertainment.
I must live a life of God’s love as outlined in 1Corinthians 13.
I must not love this world’s stuff, system, culture or entertainment as defined in 1 John 2:15-17.
I will obey Christ in every command, and direction, proving my love for Him, as he said to do in John 14:15.
I must live humbly before God and man, James 4:6.
I must carry my cross daily, Luke 9:23.
I will love my brother, John 13:34.
I will study the word, 2 Timothy 2:15
I will pray for all, 1 Timothy 2:1-4
I will fee from the love of money, and follow after righteousness, godliness… 1Timothy 6:9-12.
If I want God to use me I must purge myself. 2Timothy 2:19-22
I must assemble myself with my fellow believers, Hebrews 10:25.
I must stay away from sin, because I love Jesus and Judgement is close. Hebrews. 10:26-31.
That I must not give up the faith. Hebrews 10:35.
That I must abide in both God’s power, His armor and prayer, if I want to win in my daily battles. Ephesians 6:10-18.
I must stay away from fleshly lust, which will start wars in my mind, heart and soul. 1 Peter 2:11.
That I must walk in the Spirit, and be spiritually minded, and by that I will have life and peace. Romans 8:4-13.
I will keep my mind and trust in God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and I will have peace, Isaiah 26:3
This list is not complete, or exclusive, but it does help me to keep closer to God, than if I do not do these things. This is not a formula. These are the fundamentals; the kick, punch, block, stance of the Christian walk. Do these, do not allow them to get rusty, and you will grow closer and stronger. Do not do these, and you will have the consequences that come with every promise of God. His promises are not one sided, if you do not keep your mind on Him, you will not abide in peace. If you do not obey Him, you will walk outside of the fellowship, joy that comes to those who obey.
Minister Franklin Mayfield
May 19, 2012
