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6 Rules For New Christians - Religion - Nairaland

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6 Rules For New Christians by agwom(m): 8:42am On May 10, 2020
Much of the focus in churches is filling the pews. That's good; one of the church's primary duties is to reach the lost. The church is here to spread its message and to save souls. To evangelize.

The next step, often neglected, is discipleship. After we get them in the pews, we don't teach them what it means to be a Christian. Fortunately, almost two centuries ago, Brownlow North, a bishop of the Anglican Church from 1770-1821, wrote down six steps for new Christians to help them grow in the faith. I think that every Christian, be he on milk or meat, can benefit from applying the steps on this list.

1. Never neglect daily private prayer; and when you pray, remember that God is present, and that he hears your prayers (Heb 11:6).

Being omnipresent in our reality, God is present during your prayers and he hears your request. This doesn't obligate him to answer affirmatively, but he is present and he does hear you. That's simple, yet very deep. I've heard it said that it is impossible to stumble while on your knees.

2. Never neglect daily private Bible reading; and when you read remember that God is speaking to you, and that you are to believe and act upon what he says. I believe all backsliding begins with the neglect of these two rules (Jn 5:39).

Daily prayer and daily Bible reading are the most important factors of becoming a Christian. The necessity of God for the universe is an awesome, if abstract, idea to think of and discuss. However, the necessity of God for one's own life is more interesting, making the discussion less abstract and much more personal.

We're called "friends of God." In biblical society, serfs probably never saw the sovereign. But, through the power of prayer, we get to talk to the sovereign, confess our deepest fears and desires, and God hears them!

In Genesis 18:22-33, Abraham is able to strike a conditional bargain with God -- if 10 righteous people can be found in the city of Sodom, then God will spare it. God took into consideration what Abraham had said, and did as was befitting a truly righteous judge.

Remember, neglecting the first two rules will cause more backsliding in your life than anything else. So get to praying and reading that Bible!

3. Never let a day pass without trying to do something for Jesus. Every night reflect on what Jesus has done for you, and then ask yourself, "What am I going to do for him?" (Mt 5:13-16).

I once told an atheist, "God created the universe, you, gives you life and sustains your existence, and sent his Son to die for your sins."

He responded by asking what else has God done, really?

God has done a lot for humanity, even though we don't deserve it. Most of the time, we're just not grateful. We never pause to think that this wondrous universe, beautiful planet, and the next breath we will take all come from God. So, let's ask what we can do for God instead of always the other way around. He's done plenty already.

4. If you are in doubt as to a thing being right or wrong, go to your room and kneel down and ask God's blessing on it (Col 3:17). If you cannot do this, it is wrong.

This touches on the instinctual nature of moral duties. Normal people know the difference between right and wrong. My three-year-old, for example, knows that she has to listen to mommy and daddy when we tell her to do things. When she doesn't, she admits that she knows and understands that it was wrong.

But this instinct alone (call it conscience) isn't enough. It's a great start, and this "prayer test" is simple and awesome. It presupposes a generally good nature, and since we are made in the image of God we have enough goodness to know the difference between right and wrong.

5. Never take your Christianity from Christians, or argue that because such and such people do so and so, therefore, you may (2 Cor 10:12). You are to ask yourself, "How would Christ act in my place?" and strive to follow him (Jn 10:27).

Because other people do it, that doesn't make it okay. As a manager for over a decade and a half in the fast food industry, every single time I dealt with someone's tardiness the first thing I always got to hear was an angry litany of names of other people who are "always late."

That's what North is talking about. Using another's behavior to justify your own is not acceptable. Take responsibility for yourself.

We cannot justify our actions by comparing them to what others do. The yardstick for comparison is the instinctual moral standard (see rule #4). It doesn't matter what our peers do.

North might be the first to ask, "What Would Jesus Do?" If we follow rule #1 and rule #2, we're on our way to having a good sense of the correct answer.

6. Never believe what you feel, if it contradicts God's Word. Ask yourself, "Can what I feel be true if God's Word is true?" And if both cannot be true, believe God's Word and make your own heart the liar (Rom 3:4; 1 Jn 5:10-11).

Susan B. Anthony once said, "I distrust those people who know so well what God wants them to do, because I notice it always coincides with their own desires." She's right, and we need an objective measure of truth -- not our "feelings."

Knowing and doing are totally different. Everyone knows it's wrong to steal, yet people are in jail for everything from petty theft to the Enron scandal. Everyone knows its wrong to cheat on your spouse, yet that is one of the main reason couples divorce.

While the conscience is effective at blowing the whistle, we are equally as effective at ignoring the noise. More troubling, we can often delude ourselves into believing that God is on our side.

Look at liberal theologians like Rob Bell. They are very good at redefining God, rendering eternal judgment unnecessary or evil. Suddenly, our choices lose eternal significance. Now, people can be comfortable as they are instead of embracing the life-changing effects of the gospel. Instead of "Go, and sin no more" we are being told "Sin boldly, all will be forgiven." That's quite different than what Jesus would say, and the total opposite of Paul's salvation by grace through faith.
No wonder Susan B. made the statement she did.

The Bible states "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?" (Jer 17:9). Though the conscience can be an excellent guide, we can ignore it in favor of pursuing our own passions. Let Scripture stand as the objective measure by which we know what is right and wrong. Don't trust your gut.
Applying North's six short rules to our walk with Christ, every day, will ensure that the gospel message changes us. God, if he is really God, won't conform to our expectations. He will, however, give us the strength and tools to conform to his expectations -- the image of his Son, Jesus Christ.

http://www.mychristianlifeministries.com/2020/04/6-rules-for-new-christians.html?m=1

25 Likes 6 Shares

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by ChildFun: 9:20am On May 10, 2020
Ok
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by gungab(m): 9:20am On May 10, 2020
Nice one
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by hemartins(m): 9:20am On May 10, 2020
Thou shall love thy God with all your heart.
If you love God, you will do all these.

Rules sounds like a compulsory Law

1 Like

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Hisincrease: 9:20am On May 10, 2020
Una don start abi?
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by GreatResearcher1: 9:20am On May 10, 2020
What of the old Christians? no rules for them?

4 Likes

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by CAPSLOCKED: 9:20am On May 10, 2020
GreatResearcher1:
What of the old Christians? no rules for them?

THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR RULES ABOUT NOT EATING PORK, AND KILLING ARROGANT CHILDREN AND NON VIRGIN WOMEN ON THEIR WEDDING NIGHTS.

10 Likes

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by overseer1(m): 9:20am On May 10, 2020
7th Never be too obsessed for Nairaland "likes" & "shares".
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Hezzyluv: 9:20am On May 10, 2020
Good one. But the mother of it all,

practice 2ru Christianity and stop religious/denominational bigotry
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by kendrick93(m): 9:21am On May 10, 2020
I've never come across a book as contradictory and inconsistent as the bible....

3 Likes 3 Shares

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by MrImole: 9:21am On May 10, 2020
Is it in our constitution?
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by wahduwe: 9:21am On May 10, 2020
good one...
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by tillaman(m): 9:21am On May 10, 2020
Number 4’and 6 though
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Galactico4ever(m): 9:21am On May 10, 2020
Funny how people are losing their source of income, getting infected and struggling to cope with covid19 and you are here talking of rules not many care about. did you know that majority of covid19 deaths in italy and spain are christians?
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by OKTolu: 9:22am On May 10, 2020
Lesson learnt
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by TruthSpeaker: 9:22am On May 10, 2020
Really?
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by GreatResearcher1: 9:24am On May 10, 2020
CAPSLOCKED:


THEY ALREADY HAVE THEIR RULES ABOUT NOT EATING PORK, AND KILLING ARROGANT CHILDREN AND NON VIRGIN WOMEN ON THEIR WEDDING NIGHTS.
Lol
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by yinkaOdutuyo: 9:24am On May 10, 2020
Holy cow

Not all Christians lipsrsealed
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by jericco1(m): 9:24am On May 10, 2020
God I need the grace to be a able to fulfill all these smiley
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by bjreal67(m): 9:25am On May 10, 2020
Wonderful piece.
Some "old Christian's" too can take note too some have forgotten the essenciality of Christianity.

1 Like

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Bojack(m): 9:25am On May 10, 2020
All these ones na hard labour
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by winj: 9:26am On May 10, 2020
What Nigerians need is commonsense not religion.
These brainwashing must stop so people can use their own minds to progress.
Religion is outdated, it hinders progress and the use of mind and money to the fullest!

Religion is one of the reasons Africans are still primitive and backwards!

4 Likes

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Paul667(m): 9:28am On May 10, 2020
Weldone!

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by paulolee(m): 9:29am On May 10, 2020
Nice
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by TreasureTayo(m): 9:30am On May 10, 2020
good
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by gift2xl: 9:30am On May 10, 2020
This life is deeper than you think, even when you look you can't see the end.
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by ThatFairGuy: 9:35am On May 10, 2020
There are too much atheist on Nairaland. What happen?
Meanwhile, I need explanation of these contradictory verses in the Bible. @ Righteousness89 Ikorodureporta and co should help me out

1.

Thou SHALT NOT KILL. —Exodus 20:13

Thus sayeth the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side. and SLAY EVERY MAN HIS BROTHER…COMPANION…NEIGHBOR. —Exodus 32:27

2.

The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and ALL GREEN GRASS WAS BURNT UP. —Revelation 8:7

And it was commanded them that THEY SHOULD NOT HURT THE GRASS OF THE EARTH, NEITHER ANY GREEN THING, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. —Revelation 9:4

3.

LYING LIPS ARE AN ABOMINATION TO THE LORD. —Proverbs 12:22

THE LORD HATH PUT A LYING SPIRIT IN THE MOUTH of all these thy prophets, and the Lord hath spoken evil concerning thee. —I Kings 22:23

4.

And in the fifth month, on the SEVENTH day of the month…Nebuzaradan…came…unto Jerusalem… —2 Kings 25:8

…in the fifth month, in the TENTH day of the month…came Nebuzaradan…into Jerusalem… —Jeremiah 52:12

5.

For by grace are ye saved through faith…NOT OF WORKS. —Ephesians 2:8,9

Ye see then how that BY WORKS A MAN IS JUSTIFIED, and not by faith only. —James 2:24

6.

Jehoiachin was EIGHTEEN YEARS OLD when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. —2 Kings 24:8

Jehoiachin was RIGHT YEARS OLD when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem… —2 Chronicles 36:9

7.

Moreover of the children of the strangers that do sojourn among you, of them shall ye buy…and they shall be your possession…they shall be your bondmen forever. —Leviticus 25:45-46

Undo the heavy burdens…let the oppressed go free,…break every yoke. —Isaiah 58:6

8.

For I am the Lord; I change not. —Malachi 3:6

And the Lord repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people. —Exodus 32:14

9.

For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation. —Exodus 20:5

The Lord is good to all. —Psalms 145:9

10.

No man hath seen God at any time. —John 1:18

For I have seen God face to face. —Genesis 32:30

11.

For every man shall bear his own burden. —Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. —Galatians 6:2

12.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23

There was a man…who name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright. —Job 1:1

13.

Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign. —II Kings 8:26

Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign. —II Chronicles 22:2

14.

Submit yourself to every ordinance of man…to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors. —I Peter 2:13

We ought to obey God rather than men. —Acts 5:29

15.

And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun.  —Mark 16:2

The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. —John 20:1

16.

And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. —Mark 15:25

…about the sixth hour…they cried out…crucify him….Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. —John 19:14-16

17.

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned… —Romans 5:12

Very truly I tell you, whoever obeys my word will never see death. —John 8:51

18.

Everything that lives and moves about will be food for you. Just as I gave you the green plants, I now give you everything. —Genesis 9:3

It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall. —Romans 14:21

19.

Then said Pilate unto him, Hearest thou not how many things they witness against thee?…And he answered him to never a word; insomuch that the governor marvelled greatly… —Matthew 27:13-14

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?…Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me? —John 18:33-34

20.

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. —1 Kings 7:15

Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that was on the top of each of them was five cubits. —2 Chronicles 3:15

21.

Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. —Proverbs 26:4

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit. —Proverbs 26:5

22.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. —Matthew 5:16

Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. —Matthew 6:1

23.

And [Judas] cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. —Matthew 27:5

Now [Judas] purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. —Acts 1:18

24.

Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. —Matthew 10:34

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. —John 16:33

25.

And of every living thing of all flesh, two of every sort shalt thou bring into the ark. —Genesis 6:19

Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. —Genesis 7:2

26.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart… —Matthew 17:1

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. —Luke 9:28

27.

Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. —Matthew 26:52

Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one. —Luke 22:36

28.

Therefore MICHAL THE DAUGHTER OF SAUL HAD NO CHILD UNTO THE DAY OF HER DEATH. —II Samuel 6:23

But the king took the two sons of Rizpah…and THE FIVE SONS OF MICHAL THE DAUGHTER OF SAUL. —II Samuel 21:8

29.

…the King of kings, and Lord of lords; Who only hath immortality, DWELLING IN THE LIGHT which no man can approach… —I Timothy 6:15-16

The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice…CLOUDS AND DARKNESS ARE ROUND ABOUT HIM. —Psalms 97:1-2

30.

REJOICE NOT WHEN THINE ENEMY FALLETH, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: —Proverbs 24:17

THE RIGHTEOUS SHALL REJOICE WHEN HE SEETHING THE VENGEANCE: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. —Psalms 58:1

3 Likes

Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Nobody: 10:13am On May 10, 2020
Very nice.
Re: 6 Rules For New Christians by Nobody: 10:15am On May 10, 2020
GreatResearcher1:
What of the old Christians? no rules for them?
I see the way you and your type jump into any Christian post to look for what to condemn, why can't you just see it and pass, must you comment? You come off to me like a talkative.

2 Likes

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