Real Christianity development, Author at Real Christianity

God also dealt severely with Ananias and Sapphira, and that was in the New Testament not the Old

In case anybody says that this only happened in the Old Testament, let us look at the book of Acts where we see the same thing happening to Ananias and Sapphira. They sold some land and gave some of the proceeds away to the apostles. …

Note how severely God dealt with the wicked sons of Eli, and also King Saul

Likewise, in 1 Samuel we are told about the priest, Eli, whose sons, Hophni and Phinehas were wicked. They worked in the Tabernacle like their father, but they abused their positions and exploited people. Therefore the Bible says that it was God’s will to put …

When you become a disciple God will begin to treat you as His own child. That means He will discipline you and even punish you. He does it for your own good, to help you to grow up.

There is today a misguided over-emphasis on God’s love in many Western churches. There is also a misunderstanding of what His love really means. That error causes many of us to assume that God would never rebuke or discipline a Christian. Actually, the opposite is …

One of Jesus’ intentions for His disciples is to refine them, just as a jeweller smelts and purifies silver by exposing it to great heat. He is doing that now, in this life, but He will complete it at the Judgment Seat

Jesus intends to refine us, just as a jeweller smelts precious metals to purify them and to separate them from the worthless dross which is mixed in with them. He is doing this now during our lives. However, when Jesus returns in His glorified resurrection …

It is the duty of a disciple to be “salt and light” in this world

Another of the many purposes and objectives of a real disciple is that they should learn how to be both “salt and light” in this lost world. Each disciple is like a lamp. We are supposed to bring light wherever we go, lighting up the darkness of …

Jesus did not come to bring peace to this present age. On the contrary, following Him and staying true to His Word will result in conflict and trouble.

Being a genuine disciple of Jesus Christ does bring you peace. However, that means in the Hebrew sense of being at peace within, or despite, difficult circumstances. The peace that Jesus gives us does not mean the absence of such difficulties. The Hebrew word for peace is ‘Shalom’. It is …

There is a high cost involved in being a genuine disciple. We must be realistic about that and be willing to pay that price.

Being a genuine disciple involves paying a high price. At any rate, the cost of real discipleship is far higher than most of us have been told to expect. Therefore we need to be much more realistic about that cost and be willing to pay …

A closer look at how God develops us as disciples

Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;……. Hosea 6:3(a) (ESV) 6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 8 See to …

The cost of being a genuine disciple – trouble, hardship, persecution and suffering

Let us look now at a long list of passages from the Bible where Jesus, Paul, Peter and John talk frankly about the committed and faithful way in which Jesus wants us to follow Him. We need to be willing to endure hardship, abuse, persecution …

We must not be ashamed of the Name of Jesus

Also, have you noticed that it is the name of Jesus specifically which unbelievers do not like. Even Christians feel squeamish about using the name of Jesus in front of others. People will fairly happily say the word “God”, but not “Jesus”. That is a …