Necessities of the Christian Life

There are at least three necessities in the Christian life.  Of course, before you can have these you must have life.

You must receive the life of God – Jn 14:6.  Jesus Christ is the life.  Rom 6:23, the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  You don’t have the life of God unless you have the Son of God.  1 Jn 5:12, He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.  

After you receive Jesus Christ, then you need:

The Lord to teach you the word of God – Lk 24:32, 44-45.  Anything and everything you need to live spiritually is in your King James Bible.  God will fulfill Is 50:4 in your life just like he did in Jesus’ life, if you will spend time with him when you’re in your Bible.  He gives us knowledge by teaching us.  He gives us understanding in the words of God by inspiration, 2 Tim 3:16. Therefore, one of your greatest necessities is for the Lord to teach you the word of God.

All the doctrine, prophecy, instruction, reproof, correction, and news you need is in this Book.  Reading it, studying it, and hearing it preached and taught will literally transform your life.

You must be in love with the Saviour and in love with his words.  As a child if I had read this book and had a tutor, like Timothy with Eunice and Lois, my younger life would have been totally different that it was.

The Spirit to give you the power of God – Lk 24:49.  The Holy Spirit gives us power.  The power to witness, Acts 1:8.  The power to speak the word of God with boldness, Acts 4:31; 1 Cor 2:4, Heb 4:12.  Through him we can mortify the deeds of the body, Rom 8:13.  The power to overcome fear, 2 Tim 1:7, and to live with power, love and a sound mind. Therefore, another of your necessities is for the Spirit to give you the power of God.

The Father to set you in the church of God – Acts 2:47, 1 Cor 12:18.  As soon as people started getting saved after the Spirit of God showed up, they were added to the church, which is the body of Christ.  As they were members of his body, they also became members of local churches.  I believe that as God sets the members in his body, he likewise sets the members in his local churches. 

You are forsaking one of the greatest resources God gave to his children when you stay out of a good Bible believing, Bible preaching, Bible teaching church.  And you are selfishly denying the church the contribution that you can and should make to the body, Eph 4:16.

You can be an ensample to the flock.  As an active member of a local church, you can learn, teach, disciple, witness, give, minister to the needs of others, serve, sing, preach, encourage, pray, and protect others in the church.  You can do all of these to the glory of God and for the benefit of his work among us. This is why active local church membership is one of your necessities.