Christian Basic Training – Part 3

​As a review for this topic, Jesus Christ gave His followers a list of things they were commanded to do to qualify as Christians.  Jesus gave commands not made suggestions to the people listening to Him preach.  Christians must do these things, according to Jesus Christ, or they are not obeying the author and finisher of their faith (Hebrews 12:2).  The list presented through these articles can be referenced as Christian Basic Training, much like the military has basic training or boot camp.  People expect the military to have such training to equip all recruits to be good soldiers at the foundational level.  To have strong Christian soldiers they must be taught the basic training principles to excel in their roles and duties as soldiers for God.  Continuing with the sixth basic training principle, have self-discipline.  Christians should be self-disciplined enough to not focus on storing up treasures here on the earth but have a true focus on the eternal kingdom of God (Matthew 6:19-21).  This would also include not being distracted by earthly things to lose focus of their eternal citizenship.  Each Christian must determine what is within them as the driving force for their life.  If it is of God there is a light reflecting the inner man has the discipline and relationship with God as opposed to trying to balance between the eternal and the temporal (Matthew 6:22-24).  Having self-discipline is also an indication that a Christian is bearing the fruit of the Spirit.  Self-discipline, also known as self-control, is described by the word temperance within various translations of the Bible (Galatians 5:22-23).  When Christians lack this fruit it represents they are not bearing the lifestyle or character God says is necessary as a Christian.  The seventh basic training principle is to know Who Jesus is.  Jesus asks His disciples who other people say He is and they answer with various speculations from the people (Matthew 16:13-14).  Then Jesus asks the hard question of Who do they say He is with Peter being able to answer correctly of His connection to God and as the Messiah (Matthew 16:15-17).  Without a true relationship with Jesus Christ Christians will not know Who Jesus is.  People may learn about Him or the things that are written to describe Him but a relationship allows a personal connection that can only come through intimacy.  Without a personal relationship with Jesus, a person cannot enter into the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:23).  The eighth basic training principle is to sacrifice the desires of the heart to obey God and His Word.  Jesus describes those who attempt to preserve or protect a temporal life on earth will destroy it but those who are willing to sacrifice everything for His name and the Gospel will preserve their life (Mark 8:35-38).  Christians must be willing to sacrifice anything for God by laying their lives on the altar of God (Romans 12:1-2).  With so much of culture today breeding the exact opposite within the hearts and minds of the people, Christians can have this basic training principle left out of their lifestyle.  Nothing is more important than God or the things within His kingdom.  It is those who obey God and His Word that enter into the kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 7:21-23).  Religiosity will have the form but a relationship with Jesus will have the heart proven with action by faith (James 2:14-18).  May Christians seek to live more by the commands of Jesus rather than the culture of the world.  For more information about Abundant Grace Church visit agcsparta.org.