Whether they like it or not the simple fact is that all men believe in something. Most believe in themselves, some in someone else, and many fall somewhere in between. Our beliefs and our convictions make and mold us, and when you boil it all down to the bottom you either believe in God or in man. What I been thinking on this week is the importance of our beliefs, and the understanding of what we believe in. For this reason I decided to take the Personal Discipline challenge. It simply is this, what I believe written out, the best I know how. Here is the best part, at the end of the discipline, you go back and read it over and ask yourself: Do I live what I believe? Or do I just profess it? If truly “out of the heart proceed all the issues of life.” Perhaps it is important to know what guides our heart.
Patrick’s Personal Discipline
1) I believe that without the blessing of sanctification a man cannot and will not go to heaven. You MUST be purged from ALL sin, which are sins committed and the carnality within. This must happen before you die, and it is an instantaneous work of grace obtained through faith, made possible by grace.
2) I believe that a holy heart produces a holy life. “So be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Holiness is being dedicated and devoted to the service of God. This service is not a teeth grinding overly exhaustive work, but reasonable, joyful, and second nature. Because through the power of the Holy Ghost, Gods will becomes your nature, and his will can be clearly understood if you keep his commandments (i.e. read your Bible, pray, go to church, and tell folks about Jesus).
3) I believe the Bible is both absolute and absolutely central. It is the Word of God, penned by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost. We are nothing without it and everything with it. It should be studied diligently, followed fanatically and taught publically; always understanding that it is the Holy Ghost within that translates it to our hearts.
4) I believe that perfect love is the mark of a true Christian; perfect love towards God and perfect love towards man. A heart so full of love towards the Father and for the Father; and his Son Jesus, that your entire life is bound by the will of God and the wanting to follow his will and obey his way; at any cost. This love is not obtained by striving or any personal merit, but is obtained by asking in faith, and manifested by the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost. This second work of grace can only be instituted in a human heart AFTER they have made a FULL repentance. This “second blessing” makes us “one” with God, even as Jesus and God are one. Furthermore, this love invades every part of our life so that our actions and reactions, thoughts and speech, motives and desires are filled with and governed by, the perfect love of God in us. This I believe is Sanctification.
5) I believe you should support your church. The church is the vehicle that brought you salvation. It is a God ordained institution; you should support it in your attendance, in your speech, and in your participation. Furthermore, I believe you should respect those who guide it faithfully and humbly.
6) I believe that Biblical exhortation given from “proven” men and women, given in the Spirit, should be considered and heeded. “Younger, submit yourself unto the elders and be clothed with humility.” This is not a suggestion, it is a commandment.
These are six things I believe, in no particular order. There is probably more I could add, and perhaps pieces that others would take away. Notwithstanding, these are MY beliefs, that God has so graciously given me, through the teaching and revelation of the Holy Ghost; because of this they carry both the blessing of understanding, and the responsibility of upholding.
This week I would encourage you to take some time and sit down in a private place, and draft a personal discipline. Then review it, does your life support your beliefs? At the very least I hope you find it rewarding to write out and boldly tell Satan. This is what I believe!
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