I have watched soccer teams trying to equalise and in that effort conceding more goals. Myopic determination to whitewash an opponent may leave the rear unguarded and exposed.
Translated to our lives, I have seen people trying to advance and progress and left the elementary principles of life unattended to. A genuine desire to prosper is commendable, but not at the expense of purity, righteousness and holiness.
Christianity is a progressive lifestyle that sees you moving from faith to faith, glory to glory; you should not be stagnant, otherwise you will have to seek deliverance. In a quest to advance in life, Jesus calls for elementary principles to be adhered to.
The teaching or the doctrine of Jesus Christ advocates for the rudiments of our faith to be in place.
Your vision should not just be acquiring material things, but meeting the basic requirements of righteous living. It is good to hear your house, car, job, promotion, husband, etc, is coming, but it is even better to hear that God says if you obey His Word turning neither to the right nor to the left you will inherit His promises.
Do not just run forward without addressing first things first. Jesus says in Matthew 23:23: Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
You have to strive for a balanced life. If the foundation is good the rest of the building will stand. You should never forget Matthew 6:33: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Never put the cart before the horse. You have to distinguish between good and evil and do the right thing. The writer of Hebrews noticed the above shortcomings of believers of the day and admonished their conduct.
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Hebrews 6:1-2 reads: Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
To move to perfection you have to understand the basics of the doctrine of Christ: repentance, faith, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection and judgment.
John the Baptist came preaching repentance. Matthew 3:2 says: And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Jesus also preached repentance and Mark 1:15 says so: And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
We cannot talk about advancement in life if we are living in sin. If we are living in sin we cannot have faith in God. Hebrews 11:6 confirms: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. You have to believe that God exists and rewards. Faith pleases Him.
When you get born again it is necessary to get baptised. Jesus was baptised to fulfill all righteousness. Baptism is by water immersion and at an age where you are able to separate right from wrong. Jesus came out of the water and was not sprinkled and was not baptised as a child in the manger. Mark 1:10 says: And straightway coming up out of the water. If you havent been baptised, get baptised and if you have not been properly baptised, get proper baptism.
The Holy Spirit is transferrable by laying on of hands in as much as gifts of the Spirit can be imparted. Acts 8:17 says: Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. Healing can also be through laying on of hands, Mark 16:18: They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
Also check 1 Timothy 4:14 and Acts 6:6. You should not just allow anyone anywhere to lay hands on you, for the devil can also transfer his demonic spirit on you. Be prayerful, always plead the blood of Jesus and let the spirit of discernment be part of you.
The reason why the Gospel of Christ is being preached is that there is resurrection and judgment at the consummation of time. There is a reward for doing good here on earth and in the world to come. Your diligent walk with Christ will not be in vain. Your physical death is not the end of the story, but rather the beginning of the story.
Fear God and live well, you are going somewhere. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.
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