True Christianity E-Book

Dr. Paul G. Caram

• Herausgeber: Zion Christian Publishers
• Kategorie: Religion und Spiritualität
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Dr. Paul Caram’s excellent and life changing study on the topic of True Christianity is a focus upon the most important subjects of life. Our Lord's discourses concentrated solely upon the most critical issues of the heart and that is what every true believer should do as well. Dr. Caram has searched the Scriptures in order to find the themes that will determine our eternal destiny so that we might obtain the full inheritance that God has in store for us.

Leseprobe

TRUE

CHRISTIANITY

Bringing Many Sons unto Glory!

TRUE

CHRISTIANITY

A guide to bring us to glory

– Emphasizing the priorities in life

– Focusing on what we can take with us when we leave this world

– Looking beyond God's blessings to find His heart

Copyright © by Paul G. Caram

Fourteenth printing, Revised in 2016

Version 3.0

All rights reserved

 Epub revised and based on 2016 printed version

 No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without written permission from the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in articles or reviews.

 All Scripture quotations in this book are taken from the King James Version Bible unless otherwise stated.

 Published with permission by Zion Christian Publishers

as an e-book on June 2020

in the United States of America 

E-book ISBN 1-59665-725-1

For further information or additional copies contact:

 Zion Christian Publications

Box 256 

  Ulysses, PA. 16948

  Phone [phone]

    www.zionchristianbooks.com

Printed by:

Zion Christian Publications

Box 256 

DEDICATION

With deep gratitude and loving esteem, this Christian Maturity Series is dedicated to the honorable –

Dr. Brian J. Bailey

Late President of Zion Fellowship International

my spiritual father and able teacher from my youth in the sacred mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, whose exemplary life and ministry have inspired my love for Christ and His Truth; who has always been to me, and to all of us who knew him, the ideal Christian gentleman—irreproachable and charitable. But above all, he was a man approved of God, a man to whom God showed His face!

FOREWORD

TRUE CHRISTIANITY is a focus upon the most important subjects of life. Our Lord's discourses concentrated solely upon the most critical issues of the heart and that is what every true believer should do as well. The author has searched the sacred Scriptures and selected for this book those verses which he believes most aptly describe God's ultimates for every believer. The question may be asked, “What is the mark, the prize, the high calling we are seeking to apprehend?”  Let's review the spiritual checklist below and underscore life's greatest objectives!

•  What can we take with us when we leave this world?

•  How can we make ourselves attractive to God?

•  What should we strive for, and what investments should we make during our brief sojourn upon this earth?

•  How can we evaluate our spiritual wealth, or lack of it?

•  What is greatness in God's eyes?  and what is true success?

•  Where can true happiness and fulfillment be found?

•  What is Christ's summary of all the 31,102 verses of Scripture?

•  How can we measure a man's spirituality, and our own?

•  How do we advance from point C to point D in our Christian life?

•  Where are we on God's map? Where are we headed, and how do we get there?

•  What is man's first duty?

•  Which sacrifices impress God, and which ones does He refuse?

•  What are the sacrifices that destroy Satan?

•  What is grace, and what are the conditions for receiving more grace?

•  How can we measure our spiritual strength and growth?

•  What are the hallmarks of maturity?

•  What are the keys for coming to unity and unfeigned love for one another?

•  What seven things must be added to our faith?

•  By what law will we be judged or rewarded?

•  Which is more important—feeling God's presence or doing God's will?

•  Upon what have we set our affections?

•  Where will we place our emphasis in life?

How we use our time, energy, talents and substance depends uniquely upon one thing—the keenness of our spiritual vision.  Proverbs 29:18 warns, “Where there is no [progressing] vision, the people dwell carelessly.”  Unless a believer's vision  is clear and specific he will wander through life and discover at the end of the journey that he has been deflected from the main purpose.

True Christianity narrows our walk to the supreme reason for our existence.  It is the converging of all the ultimate themes of Scripture into one central thrust to give us a clearly defined mark to press toward.

TRUE CHRISTIANITY

Introduction

True Christianity is the first of a four-part series on the subject of Christian growth. Our purpose is to inspire the reader to advance from First Peter 2:2 to Revelation 19:7-8—from an infant in Christ unto a glorious mature bride prepared for the Heavenly Bridegroom. Therefore, maintaining a healthy rate of spiritual growth after our new birth is essential to inherit the throne and everything else God has ordained for our lives (Rev. 3:21).

Think for a moment how sobering it would be if a vast inheritance were willed to us, yet (for one reason or another) we failed to lay claim to it and it was given to another. This would be devastating enough if it concerned only an earthly inheritance. Can you imagine, then, the seriousness of mishandling an eternal inheritance? Yet, many believers do indeed fall short of what God has purposed for their lives, perhaps because of bondages they are unable or unwilling to overcome, or tests they continue to fail year after year.

Israel in the wilderness is a prime example of this

God had graciously delivered His people out of Egypt's rigorous bondage. He saved them from judgment and death by the blood of the passover lamb and purchased them to be His very own. Then He set before them a beautiful land of hills and streams, saying, “Every parcel of ground your foot treads upon belongs to you. Only trust Me with all your heart and follow the instructions I command you.” Tragically, the feet of that generation never touched the land of promise.

Why did Israel not receive the promises?

Canaan was theirs by inheritance! It had been foreordained from the beginning of the world that they should inherit the land promised to Abraham. Hebrews 4:3 clearly indicates this! It had been promised repeatedly to their forefathers, yet they never received it because Israel hardened their hearts en route to the glory land and despised the delays along the way. She refused to follow the battle plan or keep pace with God's leadings. At every juncture of the journey they resisted the Spirit of the Lord. God's people failed every one of their tests in the wilderness. Therefore, that generation never entered the land of rest. This is a clear theme of Hebrews chapters three and four. That generation never reached their destination but plodded aimlessly through the wilderness until they died. Thus, Israel went to the grave with unfulfilled promises. See 1 Corinthians10:11.

Today the Church faces the same situation, as it does in every generation. God is offering a rich spiritual inheritance to every one of His people. Christ has [already] blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Eph.1:3). Each of these blessings belong to us potentially. And yet, if we do not follow God through the wilderness, pass our tests and obey the battle plan, we will be unable to obtain what has already been willed to us by inheritance. God's promises are inherited only by the overcomers (Rev. 21:7). In Hebrews 4:1, we are exhorted to fear lest we fall short of God's promises as did Israel. The words of Joshua continue to admonish every one of us today when he cried out: “There remaineth yet very much land to be possessed. How long are ye slack to go to possess the land?” (Josh.13:1,18:3). Remember, all of God's promises have conditions—they are only received after we have accomplished the will of God, and not until then (Heb.10:36).

The issue, therefore, is not only to make it to heaven but also to fulfill God's purposes for our lives. There is a mark to hit, a race to run, a prize to win, an inheritance to be gained or lost. There are rewards in an eternal kingdom at stake. Many Christians will enter heaven's gates with unfinished courses, calls they have not fulfilled, and crowns they are unable to claim. Are we aware that our earthly task and calling is preparing us for an eternal position in heaven? Do we realize that if our task on earth is not completed, we will not qualify to occupy that special heavenly lot of inheritance that God has foreordained for us, and our crown will be given to someone else? (Rev. 3:11).

Entering Into Rest

Entering into rest is the principal theme of Hebrews chapters three and four. The subject is Israel's journey from Egypt to Canaan, a journey each believer must travel. Rest for Israel of old involved making it through the wilderness, graduating from their tests, subduing their enemies, and winning numerous other battles. Thus, Paul exhorts New Testament believers to “labour to enter into rest” (Heb. 4:11). Rest means reaching our destination. Israel's destination depended upon crossing Jordan, entering Canaan land, and finally securing Mount Zion. Rest, therefore, is a sense of coming into the fullness of God's call and purposes for our lives. Rest also involves a keeping of the spiritual sabbath, a “ceasing from our own works” (ceasing from our own ideas, opinions, and ways). Marriage is another symbol of rest, no longer being independent and on our own, but under the protection, lordship and guidance of Another, our heavenly Bridegroom (Ruth 3:1).

Rest Is:

1. Reaching our destination—graduating from our tests; not being stalled in the wilderness, but learning our lessons and moving forward. It is subduing enemies, winning battles, and meeting God on all the issues in our lives. Rest is maturing into our call, and coming into God's full plan for our lives.

2. Experiencing the spiritual sabbath—ceasing from our own works (our own striving, thinking, ways, and words).

See Hebrews 4:4, 4:9-10, Isaiah 58:13.

It is a spiritual work that is accomplished in our hearts.

3. Marriage—being under the protection and guidance of Another, where we are not independent and on our own, but every part of our being is thoroughly espoused to Him and under His lordship. Rest is symbolic of marriage (Ruth 3:1).

“His rest shall be glorious”

Isaiah 11:10

ISRAEL'S JOURNEY—OUR ROAD MAP

From Egypt to Zion in Seven Stages

1. Passover – salvation in Egypt by the blood of the lamb

2. Unleavened Bread – feeding on the pure Word of God continually

3. Red Sea – a type of water baptism

4. Mount Sinai – a type of Pentecost, being filled with the Spirit

* After failing their 10th test atKadesh Barnea,God said they would never enter His rest. They wandered 38 more years.

5. Death of Moses at Mt. Pisgah – a clarion trumpet sound to move on from the wilderness into the promised land

6. Over Jordan – deep cleansing, circumcision, defeating 31 kings

7. At Zion – the full presence of God, ultimate rest (Psa.132:13-16)

The first generation died in the wilderness. Then a new generation (led by Joshua) came into the land of promise. Even so, they were slack and settled for a coexistence with their enemies (Judges chapter 1). Hebrews 4:8 clearly shows that Joshua did not bring them into full rest. Not until David's time, some 443 years after the exodus from Egypt, was Zion finally subdued. Then Israel entered into full rest. (See Brian J. Bailey's book - Journey of Israel).

The Importance of Fulfilling Our Course

This Christian Maturity Series is dedicated to Brian J. Bailey, a spiritual father in the faith to myself and many other sons and daughters around the world. On several occasions, he has recounted an extraordinary experience he had with death many years ago. I believe this “encounter with eternity” is worthy of repeating to the universal Body of Christ.

Before the era of the Charismatic Movement, Brian Bailey was a young man in the ministry, living in a certain city in North America. At that time, it was very unpopular to be baptized in the Holy Spirit and to manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately, the Christian community of that city became divided over the issue, and Brian Bailey found himself in the middle of the controversy. One night when the pressure seemed unbearable, he said, “Lord, I have had enough. Take me home.” God answered his prayer—that night he died! Having come out of his body, he stood there a few moments looking down at his body. An angel of the Lord who had come for him was standing beside him, saying nothing. Then with enormous speed, they traveled to heaven. But the closer he approached heaven's gates, the greater the sadness he felt in his heart. Then, before his eyes, in just a moment of time, he could see his whole life spread out before him as if in cameos. He was able to see himself at infancy, in his childhood, as a teenager, right up until the time of his departure from this life. From that point on, however, the cameos ceased and there were only blanks.

The anguish of going to heaven without completing the mission

Only then did he realize the agony of dying before one's appointed time, or going to heaven with an unfulfilled course. There was so much more that God had purposed to do in and through his life. God made him to understand in a most vivid manner that it is not only important to make it into heaven but also to fulfill our life's mission and task. Otherwise, we will be unprepared to take our heavenly position. We will settle for an inferior place in the eternal kingdom of God, and we will surrender our crown. God cannot say, “Well done good and faithful servant!” to men and women who have fulfilled only a fraction of their life's work!

Brian Bailey also was given a new understanding of Revelation 21:4 which states, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.” He understood then that before the judgment seat of Christ, many saints will weep with anguish when they look at all the eternal rewards they are unable to claim because they have been forfeited to others. Thus, we are exhorted in Revelation 3:11 to hold on to what God has given us, “that no man take thy crown.”

We will be summoned to give an account of our lives

A call is not only an invitation, it is a summons as well. It is a command to appear before the Judge to give an account of what we have done with our life, time, talents, and substance. The parables of the Lord bring this out vividly (Mt. 25:14-30, Lk.19:12-27). Our life's work here on earth is shaping us for an eternal position in the life hereafter. The few years we have upon earth are simply a preparation for eternity. Even our secular occupations develop spiritual qualities within us for reigning with Christ. Therefore, we should never despise secular work. Moses was schooled in Pharaoh's court, yet this was creating a capacity in him for being the administrator of the Law. God never used his worldly education but the capacity it created. David, as a shepherd, was trained in the mundane affairs of everyday life. God was preparing him to shepherd and feed His people (Psa. 78:70-72).

Not only was God training David in his secular occupation for a spiritual ministry, He was also preparing him for a ministry in the life to come, for David will be resurrected in the millennium and be a shepherd to Israel (Jer. 30:9, Ezek. 34:23-24, 37:24-25, Hos. 3:5). Remember, we are also being formed into kings and priests to reign with Christ for all eternity (Rev. 5:9-10; 1:6; 20:6).

Obviously, Brian Bailey, upon receiving mercy from the Lord, returned from his death experience to tell us about that awesome night. Since that time, his life and message have implored everyone within the hearing of his voice to be finishers. Paul was a finisher. He said: “I have finished my course.” Jesus declared, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” Faithful Daniel was told that he would stand in his lot [of inheritance] at the end of time (See Dan.12:13, Josh.14:8, Jn.17:4, Acts 13:25, 20:24, 2 Tim. 4:7). Do not allow any man to take your crown!

Paul's Two Questions at Conversion

When Paul met Christ on the Damascus road, he asked the two most important questions of life: First he enquired:

1.) “Who are you, Lord?” and then he asked,

2.) “What do you want me to do?” (Acts 9:5-6).

His two questions zoom in upon the very heart of Christianity. The first question, “Who are you, Lord?” involves relationship, knowing God. The second one, “What do You want me to do?” involves the task God has planned for our life. The first one is inward; the second one is outward. This order must never be reversed. The first and most important quest in life is to know God (Jn.17:3). For it is out of our relationship with God—knowing God—that we are enabled to fulfill our task and reveal Him to the world.

Knowing God

It is interesting that the Apostle Paul continued to ask, “Who are you, Lord?” all the rest of his life. Twenty-eight years after his conversion he cried; “That I might know him” (Phil. 3:10). Though Paul had seen the Lord in many visions and revelations (Acts 26:16, 2 Cor.12:1), yet he yearned for a further unfolding of the knowledge of God to his own heart. Thus there are degrees of knowing God.

How well do you know your president?” We see him every day on TV, and we know the stand he takes on all the important issues. But, have you ever shaken his hand or spoken to him personally? Do you know him like his cabinet members know him, and the senators who converse with him frequently? And do you know him as well as his wife knows him? Obviously, we do not! Therefore, we understand easily how there are different levels of knowing a person, and this is especially true concerning our relationship with God.

Different Degrees of Knowing God

• As a servant – (casual) who only knows to go here or there, do this or do that.

• As a friend – (close) who knows the mind and purpose of another.

• As a bride – (intimate) who is actually an integral part of another

Degrees of Knowing God

(As a Servant, a Friend, a Bride)

A Servant—“Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you” (Jn.15:15). In one respect, we should always have a servant spirit when it concerns our willingness to serve others in an attitude of humility. This is a quality we should always strive for and maintain.

In third world countries it is easier to appreciate what the Lord is trying to convey in John 15:15. Household servants usually come from a background of extreme poverty and they have a very small capacity to receive compliments or little gifts. Usually it ruins them. Hagar would be a good example of this! As soon as Hagar the bondwoman was called upon to bear Abram a child, she looked down on Sarah who was unable to have children. Immediately she despised Sarah (cf. Gen.16:1-6).

Household servants are content with meager wages. They are told to do this and to do that, to go here and to go there, without any explanation. There are no questions asked. They simply do what they are told. Seldom is there any depth of dialogue between a servant and a master. A servant does not know or understand the intimate ponderings of the heart of his master. At best, the relationship between a servant and his master is casual and superficial.

A Friend—God wants our relationship with him to exceed that of a servant. A servant does not know the mind of his master. Only with close friends does a master share his intimate thoughts. Abraham was called “the Friend of God” (2 Chron. 20:7, Isa. 41:8, Jas. 2:23). Because Abraham was a close friend of the Lord, He showed Abraham His secrets. “And the Lord said, Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I do?” (Gen.18:17). In Genesis 18:17-33, God informed Abraham what He was about to do to Sodom and Gomorrah.

A Bride—The bridal relationship is even more intimate than that of a close friend. A real wife learns to know her husband instinctively. Without uttering a word, she often knows what he is thinking and feeling. Intuitively she hears what his heart is saying, even more than his words. Consider what God said within Himself in Genesis 8:21. (Read Genesis 8:21.) God did not say this out loud. Someone was close enough to hear what He was saying inwardly.

In Exodus 32:9-14, God commanded Moses to step aside while He destroyed Israel for their wickedness. Moses did not step aside or leave Him alone. Instead, he stood right in the way and said in effect, “Lord, I know this is not really what you want to do. I know you would rather show mercy.” Then Moses appealed to God on the grounds of protecting His own reputation, saying, “What will the Egyptians say [and the other nations] when they hear you brought Israel out of Egypt but then destroyed them in the wilderness?” Moses heard the heart of God, even more than His words. And because of this, he changed the mind of God and preserved Israel.

Thus, we are called to go beyond the mechanical relationship of being a servant, for servants only know their Master from a distance. Friends are much closer to the Master and perceive clearly what He is saying and doing. But, a bride knows the very heart of the Master, for she is bone of His bone and flesh of His flesh. Therefore, let us seek to qualify to become His Bride (Rev.19:7-8, Jer. 9:24). There are definite qualifications. Let us enquire diligently how we may prepare ourselves to be attractive and appealing unto God.

Created for God

“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11

First of all, every human being should understand that he was created for another—God. I am convinced that man would have no “identity crisis” if this were properly understood. The human heart is restless and unsatisfied because it is trying to be something on its own, apart from God. The heart is filled with ambition and self-promotion. God, however, did not create us to be the world's greatest teacher, athlete, musician, or achiever. What would it accomplish anyway? All it would do is draw attention to ourselves, not God, and still we would not be fulfilled.

How, then, do we find fulfillment? The answer is really quite simple. The first thing we have to do is discover why we were created. Revelation 4:11 tells us that God created us for Himself. We were created by Him, and for Him. We were created to bring Him pleasure. Fulfillment, therefore, is the direct result of satisfying our Creator.

We were created for God. We are not our own, we belong to Him (1 Cor. 6:19-20, Psa.100:3). Understanding this truth is basic to finding a satisfied and contented heart. Therefore, we should inquire of God and say, “How can I please you most? What is your will for my life? How can I win your approval? What can I do to edify you and bring pleasure to you?” Remember, the one thing God desires more than anything else in the world is a bride who loves and understands Him (Rev.19:7-8, cf. Jer. 9:24).

Making Ourselves Appealing to God

Our attitude should be, “Lord, I was made to be a blessing to you!” Instead, we often hear complaints like this, “I came to church this morning and received nothing from the worship service.” But what is our purpose for coming to church? Do I come only to get something for myself, or do I come to bring an offering of thanksgiving to God? One thing that makes a wife attractive to a man is thankfulness. A cheerful, positive spirit makes a woman appealing to a man. This is perfectly true of our relationship with God too.

One sure way to make it into the promised land (or God's promises) is to have the attitude of Caleb and Joshua who said, “If the Lord delight in us, then he will bring us into this land” (Num.14:8). They were saying, “If we win His approval, we will make it in.” The remainder of the congregation was negative, critical, unthankful, and unbelieving, and that was a big “turn off” to God. This is the reason people find no favor with God and fail to enter into His promises.

God wants to be understood. We were created for that purpose. “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me” (Jer. 9:24). God is looking for someone to whom He can open His heart, someone on His level with whom He can share His deepest secrets. He is searching for those who desire to be made compatible to Him, those who are willing to be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29). God cannot fully open His heart to a child. Therefore, He is longing for His people to grow out of their infant stage (1 Pet. 2:2) in order to be on His level of communication—the level of a mature bride (Rev.19:7-8).

I vividly remember the testimony of a man with a fifteen year old son. This son had never grown since birth. At age fifteen, he was still an infant. The father took some time and detail in describing the heartache of having a son who had never grown and developed. But then he said something that I will never forget. God spoke to the man and said, “I see you the same way you see your son. You have never grown in your spiritual life and because of this you have brought no joy to my heart.” Clearly the Lord cannot be satisfied with us if we do not continue to grow into spiritual maturity.

Created to Minister Unto Him

God created man for fellowship. He wanted people whom He could set His affection upon; those who would freely reciprocate and return that love back to Him out of their own free will. Therefore, our first call is not to a ministry but unto Him. Remember Paul's two questions. He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” Secondly, he enquired, “What do you want me to do?”

Exodus 30:30 reveals to us a special anointing. This was not an anointing to minister unto the people but an anointing to minister unto the Lord. “And thou shalt anoint Aaron and his sons, and consecrate them, that they may minister unto me.” This precious anointing brings a special love and tenderness that enables the consecrated believer to comfort, love, understand, and worship the Lord. As we minister unto the Lord, then guidance, direction, and ministry flows forth from the throne. “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said. . .” (Acts 13:2).

Loneliness—a Need for More of God

Loneliness is a spiritual problem. Human love itself cannot cure loneliness. A man or woman can be in the middle of a crowd and yet be dreadfully alone. Nor can marriage solve loneliness, for in marriage one can still feel alienated and unfulfilled. If you try to find your all in all in a person, I suspect that you will never find happiness (Psa. 62:5). If unhappiness is not conquered before marriage, being married will not bring satisfaction either for an unresolved spiritual problem is carried into the union.

Loneliness is a need for more of God. He alone can fill that void. If you are lonely or unhappy, draw closer to your Heavenly Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture declares, “You are complete in Him” (Col. 2:10). Marriage of itself makes no one complete. Completeness is found only in Christ. The woman at the well had been married five times, and the man she was living with was not her husband (Jn. 4:16-18). She was thirsting within her soul for fulfillment, and had gone from one man to another in search of love and satisfaction. Jesus redirected her, saying, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (Jn. 4:14).

Christ is entitled, “The Fountain of Living Waters” (Jer. 2:13). He alone is the only true answer for loneliness. When men and women drink deeply from the “Fountain of Living Waters,” they will experience life, satisfaction, and true fulfillment, irrespective of their marital status.

My wife and I are late bloomers. We married at around age forty. We did not plan our life this way, it was just the way God graciously led us. But, I would like to say on behalf of Betsy and myself that we learned contentment and fulfillment before we were married. And I would like to say to singles who are getting a little older that it does not matter if the selection is getting smaller and smaller. You do not need a large selection; you only need one—the one God has chosen.

An excellent seminar lecturer once said, “When God sees that you will be happier, and that you can serve Him more effectively by being married, then God will bring the right person into your life.” I believe this statement is very wise. God alone knows which person is best for us. He also knows when it is the best time for marriage.

Summary:

• Human love does not cure loneliness.

• Loneliness is a spiritual problem, reflecting a need for more of God.

• We are “complete in Him.” Marriage in itself does not make us complete.

• Unhappiness before marriage is an unresolved problem which is often carried into marriage.

• Drinking from the “Fountain of Living Waters” is the only solution for loneliness.

• Singles do not need a large selection to choose from; they only need one—God's choice.