(Victorious Living) The B.I.B.L.E.

I read an article several years ago that stated 80% of Americans are Christians, needless to say, I found this information to be very interesting in light of American history and current events.   To me this information means that almost every other person knows God and has the hope of eternal life.   

Since reading that article I have made it a point of listening and observing the Biblical views and walk of these enormous 80% Christians.  I hear many professing Christians when making decisions that do not line up with the Word of God, or live a life that doesn’t exemply a Christian lifestyle say, “well I wasn’t born with an instruction manual.” Well, I have to disagree with that philosophy, we are all born with an instruction manual, which should be made available to us when we have learned to read.

So my question is, what are the qualifications for becoming a genuine Christian? 1 John 4:7 has our answer – “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” LOVE is the key that opens the door of our hearts to love God and others!  When asked of Jesus what is the greatest commandment He answered:  “…Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love they neighbor as thyself.  On these two commands hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).  To be a genuine Christian is one who is born of God and knows how to love, such as: 1) loving the Lord God intimately; 2) loving your neighbor with agape love; 3) loving God and others is to “know” God personally; and 4) love is one born of God.  Love is the fulfillment of the law!  So, in light of what’s going on in today’s world, and the four steps listed above, I believe we can honestly say that not all of the stated 80% of American’s are Christians. 

How do we love God intimately, love our neighbors with agape love, and how do we get to “know” God personally?  It is done by learning what is found in the Bible regarding loving God and our neighbors.  The Bible, also known as our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth, has a wealth of knowledge and valuable instructions for a victorious journey on earth. 

Have you ever heard Prego’s Spaghetti Sauce slogan – “it’s in there,” meaning everything you need for flawless spaghetti sauce is found in their Prego Sauce.  Well the same can be said of the Bible, everything we need to learn or understand for living life on earth and having an intimate relationship with God “it’s in there!”  The Bible has left no stones unturned for us to know Him and how to love Him and our neighbors!  The Bible also gives us help if:

You want to learn how to have a successful marrigage, “it’s in there!” 

You want to learn how to be a good steward over your finances, “it’s in there!” 

You want to learn how to love your neighbor as yourself, “it’s in there!”  

You need deliverance from a bad habit, “it’s in there!” 

You want to learn how to live a prosper and abundant life, “it’s in there!” 

You want peace in your life, “it’s in there!” 

You want to be set free from fear, “it’s in there!” 

The above list is just a few Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth that can be found in the Bible.  The B.I.B.L.E. has the answer for every life situation we encounter, because what happened in Biblical days is no different than what is happening now!  Plus, God being “all-knowing” knew the struggles we would face, so as I said “it’s in there”in the B.I.B.L.E.!  The only difference in life in the past is the size or color of the package!  The sins, atttitude and behaviors are all the same as of old!

Years ago, I was told the Old Testatment was not prevelant for today’s Christians, so after many years of studying and reading the New Testament only, I was aways left with unanswered questions which caused much confused about what I had just read.  When instructed by Father God to start from the beginning of the Bible and work my way to the end, then did I begin to understand the Bible.  I learned the Bible is a great big LOVE letter to God’s children.  For instance, the Bible is about a King and His kingdom!  The Bible is about God’s immense love for His creation!  The Bible is about judgment and God’s wrath against sin and the sinner!  The Bible is about God reaching out to mankind since creation and how we have turned our backs on Him!  The Bible was written for the reader to know, the great price that was paid for mankind’s redemption and reconciliation with God the Father.  The Bible was written by God for “whosoever” will come into His Kingdom by way of His Son, Jesus, for redemption and the promise of eternal life with Him!  The Bible my friends is a wonderful Book filled with principles for a victorious journey on earth!   Saying you “know of God” is not the same as “knowing God!”  To know God is to know His character, His attributes and His ways.  The Bible says that Moses knew God’s way (Psalm 103:7), while the children of Israel knew God’s acts (deeds).  These are two different actions!  Moses knew God’s character, Moses talked with God face-to-face, while the children of Israel knew only of His deeds or testimony.  Which do you choose?  Remember 1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”   To know God is to love God!  Do you love God?  Do you love your neighbors regardless of the color of their skin or their nationality, or how they dress; etc.?

Read your copy of the B.I.B.l.E. today and discover as I have, the great LOVE God has for His children.  One of my favorite scriptures is “… Eye have not seen and ear hath not heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).  God has great and unimaginable things awaiting those who are genuine Christians in heart and not in word only.  If you are still questioning the purpose of love, then read 1 Corinthians 13:3 which confirms to us that love is the genuine mark of a Christian.  We are informed in this verse that we can give away all that we have, offer our self as a sacrifice, but if we don’t have love, all that we do is in vain!

LOVE IS THE ANSWER FOR THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS.  You can be “born of God” and have “God’s love” by asking Jesus into your heart today.  Revelation 3:20 says “Jesus is standing at the door of your heart” now, waiting to come in!  Confess your sins and faults to Jesus telling Him you need Him as your Savior and invite Him into your heart.  The decision is yours alone to make!

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