7 Christian Roles

~ How Are You Doing? ~

Seven Christian character traits are displayed in the seven word pictures of a Christian in 2 Timothy 2.

A Son  ~  “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus” (verse 1).  Family relationships are indicative of affection.

A Steward  ~  “And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (verse 2).  Being a good steward is a matter of faithfulness.

A Soldier  ~  “You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (verse 3).  Anyone who has served as a soldier will relate the great need for endurance.

An Athlete  ~  “And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (verse 5).  Being a good athlete involves mastering the skills.

A Worker  ~  “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (verse 15).  An effective worker is known for diligence.

A Vessel  ~  “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (verse 21).  Clearly from this verse we see the need for fitness.

A Servant  ~  “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by Him to do His will (verses 24-26).  The closing verses of this great chapter end with a summary trait of obedience.

How are you doing in God’s eyes?

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

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7 Aspects of Faith

~ The Christian and Faith ~

Looking to Christ  ~  It is by faith that we receive salvation.  “Look to Me, and be saved, all you ends of the earth!  For I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:22).  “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Justified by Faith  ~  Justification by faith is the Christian’s place.  “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God” (Romans 5:1-2).

Walking by Faith  ~  Walking by faith allows Christian progress.  “For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Standing by Faith  ~  Standing by faith gives the Christian stability.  “Not that we have dominion over your faith, but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand” (2 Corinthians 1:24).

Living by Faith  ~  Living by faith gives the Christian sustenance.  “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.  I do not set aside the grace of God” (Galatians 2:20-21a).

Leaning on Christ  ~  Our faith allows us to have fellowship with God.  “Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved” (John 13:23).

Living unto Christ  ~  The faith of the Christian is what enables him to live for Christ.  “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15).

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).

The Eternal Christ

~ Without Beginning & Without End ~

Introduction  ~  There us a tendency by some to think of eternal as a future situation, but the word often encompasses both the past and the future.  When we speak of the eternal nature of God it encompasses eternity-past and eternity-future.  This applies to all three members of the triune God. 

Christ Was Never Born  ~  Perhaps our English wording of John 3:16 “… He [God the Father] gave His only begotten Son…” creates confusion in the minds of some.  In the original language we find Jesus referred to as the “one and only Son of the Father.”  Nowhere in Scripture is it said that Jesus Christ was born of God.  Throughout the New Testament we do find that believers are said to be “born of God” (examples include John 1:13; 3:3, 5, 8; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1, 4).

Christ Is The Creator  ~  “In the beginning God [a plural word in the original language] created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).  “In the beginning was the Word [Jesus Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.  In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.  And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1-5).  “For by Him [Jesus Christ] all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers.  All things were created through Him and for Him.  And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (Colossians 1:16-17). 

Summary  ~  There has never been a time when Jesus Christ did not exist.  There will never come a time when Jesus Christ does not exist.  Because, we are bound by space, matter, and time it is difficult to really grasp the significance of an eternal Savior. 

the key question: “Who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:15).  This is the most important question you will ever answer.  If you do not answer it, or answer it incorrectly, you have made the biggest mistake anyone can make!

~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW

If you found this post personally interesting or helpful, you are welcome to add a link to it on your own blog or website. 

If you would prefer to copy this post, please credit ALN as the source by prominently displaying the following statement:  Reprinted from “Abundant Life Now,” a free blog which offers inspiring moments, thought-provoking comments, and solid Biblical insight (http://RobertLloydRussell.blogspot.com/).