BUILDING TO LAST (BIBLE STUDY) GUIDELINES
THEME: UNDERSTANDING THE TIMES AND SEASONS (1 CHRONICLE 12:32)
TOPIC: BECOMING AN ADDICTED LOVER OF CHRIST (PART 2)
BIBLE TEXT: 1 John 2:3-11; 3:8-12
INTRODUCTION
In our quest of becoming an addicted lover of Christ we need to be conscious of our walk and our work to be sure that they are components of the virtues required to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ. (Eph. 3:16-19) What we do and where we walk are clear indications if we are truly in love with God. In our study today, we shall be examining the works and walks to avoid in order to be an addicted lover of Christ. The scripture makes it very clear to us that there are some people who are not lovers of God but seeking to make others in the faith deviate from the truth of the kingdom. (2 Timo. 3:1-7)
DEALING WITH THINGS THAT WON’T ALLOW YOU TO BE ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN THE LOVE OF CHRIST
- Watch where you stand, what you say and what you do: Your actions, words, and works will determine the basis of your walk with God (either in love or not) (Ps.1:1-6, 15:1-5, 24:3-5) The things that goes on in your mind (thoughts) your meditation, the words that proceeds from your mouth and the things you do with your hands are ways to express your level of love for God and men. Knowing fully well that every word shall be accounted for and every work shall be tested. (Matt. 12:35-37,1 Cor. 3:13)
- Avoid those causing offences and strife among the brethren: One way to prove our love for God is to love what He loves and do away with whatsoever He hates. There is a set of people clearly stated in Prov. 6:16-19 who will not help you to be rooted and grounded in the love of God. (Proud, liars, murderers, men with wicked imagination, false witnesses, men sowing discord among brethren)
- Avoid those that cause division and stirring up offences among the brethren: Such are not believers but anti-christ whose mission is to make men depart from the faith through their operations. (Rom. 16:17 – 18)
- Avoid bitter people that don’t see any good in whatever you do: To be an addicted lover of Christ, you must avoid bitter and unhappy people. They carry dangerous and venomous seeds in them, the seeds don’t build anything good but they defile and bring destruction. (Hebrew 12:14-15)
In Conclusion, to walk in love with God, we need to keep company with believers whose primary goal is to seek the good of the kingdom of God and its establishment here on earth. Blessed are they that keep the commandment of God to walk in love, outside of the camp of believers are unbelieving men. (Rev. 22:14-15)
Jesus is Lord!
