THE ACTS OF THE SPIRITUAL CHRISTIAN

May the LORD bless you ,and keep you, may He make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you, may He lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace in the name of Jesus the Prince of peace, Amen.

I could have titled this message the Acts of a Christian or the Acts of the believer but the title of this message is the Acts of the Spiritual Christian. In the book of the Acts of the Apostle it is written that But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4) and this was their mission but since we live in a changing world but under the unchanging word of God I believe it is important to on the Acts of the spiritual Christian.

✓TYPES OF CHRISTIANS

According to the uniform testimony of the New Testament there are three types of Christians:

√ The Babe

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:12-14)

The babe Christian is not someone who just gave his life newly to Jesus Christ but the Scripture describes the person as Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7).

He has a copy of the Bible, attends church on Sundays and all weekly activities, listens to sermons and might even be for an example a chorister, an usher or sanitation worker in the church. Yes, he has the zeal of God, but not according to knowledge (Romans 10:2) therefore he does the right thing at the wrong time or in the wrong way and though it is a good act but it violates the commandment of God. Any action without the appropriate submission to the word of God will never be approved and commended by God.

√ The Carnal

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? (1 Corinthians 3:1-3).

•Envying

Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? (Proverbs 27:4).

In the church today we also have carnal Christians worshipping alongside other Christians, He believes in Jesus Christ, He is born again for it is written that Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3) He sees the kingdom of God for it is written Thine eyes shall see the King in His beauty and behold the land that is very far off (Isaiah 33:17) but he cannot enter the land and since he cannot enter the land he cannot be in the presence of the King for it is written that Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God (John 3:5).

As you read the book of Genesis Chapter 26 from verses 12-20 you will understand that envy is a very terrible thing and it leads to strife and division for envy is evil. The carnal Christians envies the other person’s position , possessions, wisdom and wealth, prayer life and power, spiritual gifts, family etc. It does not matter who you are Apostle, prophets, evangelist, pastor, teacher, bishop, deacon, church worker, brother, sister but if you are envying another person then you are yet carnal.

√ Strife

For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work (James 3:16).

Strife is defined as “a conflict, struggle or rivalry” and the consequences are “lack of agreement or harmony” which leads to division. Things that cause strife in the life of a carnal Christian are

• He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat (Proverbs 28:25)

Are you proud of your achievements, awards, accolades and acquisitions? It does not matter how long you have been going to church but you are yet carnal for it is written that Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith (Habakkuk 2:4) If you are the type of person who goes about boasting of what you have listen and listen good For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? (1 Corinthians 4:7).

• Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins (Proverbs 10:12).

It is written that A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another (John 13:34)

Without love among brethren in the household of faith then there is division. It is written We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death (1 John 3:14). The carnal Christian abideth in death for he does not love his brother and neither does he love his neighbor as himself.

• Division

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them (Romans 16:17).

This is the doctrine of Christ and it written that Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son (2 John 1:9). Any one that is preaching another gospel is accursed (Galatians 1:8-9) for the person is causing division and it is written that If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds (1 John 1:10-12) for it is written neither be partaker of other men’s sin. keep thyself pure (1 Timothy 5:22).

✓ The Spiritual Christian

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man (1 Corinthians 2: 12-15).

The mark of the Spiritual Christian

• True Worship

But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship him in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).

• Acceptable Service

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

• Pure Relationship

Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed (1 Timothy 5:1-3).

What then are the ACTS of the Spiritual Christian?

ACTS:

• A – ACKNOWLEDGMENT AND ADORATION

• C- CONFESSION AND CONFESSING

• T- THANKSGIVING AND TESTIMONY

• S – SUPPLICATION AND SUBMISSION

God Almighty willing I will write on the above topics in the next few days.