The Power of Godly Thinking: Part 4

As we have discussed in past blogs, Christians have been regenerated through the power of the Holy Spirit into new people, providing the capacity to change ourselves to positive and biblical actions.

However, to behave in a scriptural manner we first must know how to think correctly. Unfortunately, non-biblical thinking may incite destructive speech and actions which can hurt and adversely influence others.

Christianity is a religion of facts and understanding (Colossians 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:17). Scriptural thinking is productive and healing. How then do we do it? Below is a biblically based process to help us change how we think, and ultimately how we act. What are the actions to develop biblical thinking?

Actions

There’s not one proven technique but here are some suggested steps to implement. I call them the 4 S’s.

• Search the scripture prospectively – Many people turn to God only when they have trouble. Yet the key to avoiding difficulties in our lives is to go to God before problems arise. That means studying scripture and implementing it, not just using the devotional or reading down the text, but actually taking time to learn what the words and phrases mean in context. Please visit our Bible study method link to learn better how to do this (https://teleiosresearch.com/bible-study-methods/). Such a study brings rich rewards.

• Study frequently – Do not limit yourself in scripture to 15 to 30 minutes a day in a legalistic manner, as this method almost always fails. The goal is not to accomplish a time period but to know our wonderful God! Plunge into scripture to change how you think to conform to His ways and develop wonderful fruit in your life. Find ways to spread the verses around your life so you will remember them. Study the Bible in several short periods in a day. No one method works for everybody. Do what you need to do to know God!

• Stop non-biblical thinking – Stop yourself when you’re pondering negative thoughts about yourself or other people. In these instances, pray for yourself or for those people using scripture. Be thankful for them! These actions, applied persistently, will transform your mind to think about yourself and people the way God does; very important!

• Socialize with scripture  – The verses that you read will help you, cause you to pray for others, being thankful for them and desiring good things for them; be sure to share this with other people. This mental discipline then will help you articulate your faith, build good habits in encouraging others, and will help those around you as well.

Self-test (2 Peter 1:3-10)

To assure that your thinking and subsequent conduct is consistent with God’s desires take Peter’s self-test!  This wonderful passage suggests building eight attitudes and actions to your life: faith, virtue, knowledge, patience, self-control, godliness, fraternal love, and a giving love. Peter indicates when our lives are consistent with these eight characteristics, we know that we are useful to God.

Growing these attitudes and actions in our lives depends on a biblical mindset that will foster their growth.

Developing routine mental habits consistent with the Bible will create in us a godly mindset to view life and people the way God desires and allows the Holy Spirit to bear fruit in your life and others.

Join us again next time and share this important blog with your friends and family!

William C. Stewart, MD

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

What Christ did for us at the cross

 

Welcome back to my blog. Last week we began discussing the chronological events of salvation. Although we make salvation efficacious to ourselves buy a onetime belief in Christ’s forgiveness on the cross by faith, the marvelous story of salvation begins before all time and ends at Christ’s final glorious return.

Last week we recounted the events leading up to our decision to believe In Christ’s saving work at the cross. These were in rough order:

·       Christ choosing us to salvation before all time

·       The Holy Spirit convicting us of sin, righteousness and judgment

·       God dragging us to himself

Please see last week's blog for details at https://teleiosresearch.com/our-wonderful-salvation-how-did-it-all-begin/.

Today we consider Christ’s work on the cross to provide salvation. This work was made efficacious to us upon our belief.

Christs sacrificial work on the cross

Scripture describes four key components of Christ’s gracious actions on the cross bringing us eternal life through His death:

§  Propitiation – Christ’s sacrifice was a full and sufficient payment for our sins to God (Romans 3:25; 1 John 2:2).

§  Reconciliation – Christ’s sacrifice ended the hatred between man and God because of our sins. Our holy God cannot be in the presence of sin. Our sins, being forgiven through Christ, changed our status before God as we are now innocent and without sin. This allowed peace between parties and healed (reconciled) the relationship between God and man. (Romans 5:10-11; Colossians 1:20-21: Ephesians 2:16-19).

§  Redemption – Christ’s death purchased us from sin for which we owed a payment of death (Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7).

§  Substitution – Christ died in our place, taking the punishment we deserved, that we could obtain eternal life (Mark 10:45; 1 Peter 3:18).

These four vital biblical concepts describe Christ gracious work on the cross to forgive our sins, and correct our relationship with God, that we might be saved.

What then must we do to be saved?

How then does someone make Christ’s actions on the cross efficacious for themselves?

Here is an easy to learn gospel message (how to become a Christian based on Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:23-26, Romans 10:9):

·       Each person has sinned (done actions contrary to God’s righteous character).

·       We each deserve judgment and punishment from a perfect and just God.

·       However, God being loving, sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins to take the punishment that we deserved.

·       Consequently, by acknowledging through faith the forgiveness that Christ provided by His death, and new life through His resurrection, we gain eternal life!

God did all the work to provide salvation and no credit is given to us. It is a gift with all glory and praise to God.

Wow what a great promise!

To summarize, to this point in our salvation journey we have seen that God chooses us, the Holy Spirit convicts us and God drags us to himself to the point of being saved. Then on our belief, salvation became efficacious to us based on Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross and His mighty resurrection.

In gratitude and praise we owe Him our service and praise until we go home to be with Him.

Thanks be to God for such a great salvation and for eternal life.

Please join us next time as we discuss what happened to us as a result of the cross. It's exciting stuff so don't miss it!

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

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Twitter             https://twitter.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

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Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.   

Teaching the Bible

Knowing God's word is fundamental in understanding our faith. Helping others understand God's word is also foundational because it's how we build a solid church that positively affects society. 

We recently surveyed adolescents and millennials regarding their perceptions on what they define as teaching the Bible, and their own Bible teaching habits. The survey was promoted on the Christian Instagram accounts, InstaPray and GodsHolyScriptures. Of the 230 respondents the majority were: female (63%), <35 years old (86%), from the United States (68%), and evangelical (73%).

The results showed that about 27% of participants indicated they teach directly from the Bible at a pre-arranged time at least once a week. In contrast, 40% responded they never instruct others in scripture.

For those who do not teach at least once a week the most common reasons were: they do not know enough scripture (42%); do not know how to teach (but would like to learn, 37%); or might make a mistake (34%).

Interestingly, only 11% answered ‘they already teach once a week or more’ (in contrast to the 27% noted above when asked directly if they teach) indicating that there may be 16% (27% -11%) who perceive they teach when asked directly but then give reasons why they do not teach. This finding indicates some Christians might overestimate their frequency of teaching when asked directly.

For those who do teach at least once a week, their preferred method was verse by verse (32%). In addition, their favorite venue in which to instruct was a small group, in person (27%); or one-on-one in-person (19%).

These numbers may indicate, on the lower side, that if 1/3 of people who teach use the verse by verse method, and this represent 11% of the total evangelical population, then 4% of young evangelicals teach the Bible directly to others. More research is needed on this topic!   

Participants also noted that additional potential valid informal ways to teach scripture were:  writing encouraging notes or letters (62%); strengthening others verbally with scripture verses (62%); and living a godly lifestyle (71%). However, 70% agreed that verse by verse teaching had more value than informal techniques.

In general, respondents had good wellbeing (average 4.5/6.0 with 6.0 being the best). However, those who regularly trained others in the Bible (4.8/6.0) reported better wellbeing than those who taught infrequently (4.1/6.0) or did not (4.4/6.0) teach the Bible (P= 0.003).

The survey suggests that young evangelicals generally recognize the importance of verse-by-verse teaching to others and want to learn how to instruct others. Those who teach experience better wellbeing than those who do not.

Nonetheless, young evangelicals are often reticent to teach fearing they are not capable or are not able to answer questions. Further, some may overestimate how frequently they teach the Bible.

All the findings of the survey can be found on Survey Monkey.

So what is the importance of teaching:

·       Problem – Unfortunately, teaching others or sharing the gospel appears to rank right below ‘going to the dentist’ among desired activities. Teleios’ research has shown that people generally fear sharing the gospel specifically report being afraid of: social rejection, offending the other person, not knowing what to say, or how to answer others’ questions.

·       What teaching is not – Teleios examined people’s habits in mentioning the gospel (a part of our outreach). In a well-taught Evangelical Church, attendees indicated they conveyed the gospel to others most commonly by:

• Sharing their lives – 78%.
• Praying for others – 71%.
• Encouraging others – 70%.
• Loving others – 68%.
• Explicitly mentioning how to accept Jesus Christ as Savior – 30%.

Although sharing our lives is important, it does not replace actually telling someone the gospel or directly teaching the Bible. People cannot guess what we are thinking! Scripture recognizes that we do not have visual support to our faith until Christ comes again (Hebrews 2:8) so others need to hear what to believe and someone must explicitly tell them (Romans 10:14-17).

·       Why should we reach out to others regarding our faith? There are at least several reasons:

• It is a command – We are told to teach others (2 Timothy 2:2,15,24-26; 1 Timothy 4:6,16; Hebrews 5:12) which involves instructing others in the Word of God. However, teaching also may include admonishing others to correct action or thinking (Colossians 3:17; Ephesians 5:19).
• Better wellbeing – Teleios has found that people who teach and share the Gospel enjoy better wellbeing than those who do not. What initially seems fearful is actually enriching after a person has shared the Gospel or taught God’s Word.
• Good judgment – The ability to teach appears to indicate maturity which is associated with accurate and efficient judgment and avoiding nasty pitfalls in life (Hebrews 5:14).
• Maturity – Being able to teach is associated with maturity, especially the attributes of an elder/leader (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Hebrews 5:12).
• Uplifting the church – The benefit of teaching others scripture or the gospel is not just for the individual but to the church itself. Teaching the Bible and the gospel is the primary way that we can grow the church and influence our culture generally (Colossians 1:5-10). Without Christians passing down the precious words of our Father to the next generation, the church certainly can suffer from lack of support as opposed to influencing and benefiting our society.

So, let’s get to work! The truth we possess in the Bible is good for our family, friends and acquaintances as well as for our society!

Thank you for joining me today. I look for to seeing you next time.

For questions or to view more of our research…

Email                info@teleiosresearch.com

Website            http://teleiosresearch.com/

Facebook          https://www.facebook.com/TeleiosResearch

Instagram         https://www.instagram.com/TeleiosResearch

Twitter             https://twitter.com/TeleiosResearch

Youtube           https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh6wIbPgxeP0YvypwAn5-9Q

LinkedIn           https://www.linkedin.com/company/teleios-research/

Disclaimer - This blog is provided for your use and enjoyment on an ‘as is’ and ‘as available’ basis. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.