The following was found on the web: "A fundamentalist is a Christian who believes in the Bible word-for-word. They are generally racist and homophobic."
This statement is not about the fundamentalist, but the fundamentals of our faith. We should study the following fundamentals in the Bible.
1. The infallible Scriptures
2. The virgin birth and the deity of Christ
3. The doctrine of substitutionary atonement by God's grace and through human faith
4. The bodily resurrection of Jesus
5. The authenticity of Christ's miracles and His pre-millennial second coming
2 Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Are we rightly dividing the Word of God? Before and after Scriptures usually answer these questions. Seek the true meaning of words and overall truths. When studying Scripture always ask:
Who is speaking?
Who is being spoken to?
What is the occasion?
Why is it being said?
What about your personal theology? Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?
Loyalty to Jesus Christ comes at a price. There are many Christians today who want the label of Christian, but they want little to do with the life of a Christian. Faithfully serving the Lord is the most important thing we do on this earth.
Someone said, "They that deny themselves for Christ shall enjoy themselves in Christ." The first day in Heaven will repay the most difficult and bitter experience we are called to suffer for the sake of following Jesus.
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad; for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
The faithful Christian is strong in The Lord. They give their best.
God will help you become all you need to be if you will submit to Him.
The gospel message ("Good News") does not flatter humanity. It tells us that we are not good enough for Heaven as we are, but are sinners worthy of Hell. Thank God for salvation and grace.
Because of human reasoning and pride, the gospel message tempts many Christians to be ashamed of it. The apostle Paul was not ashamed.
Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
Preachers who go soft on sin and never preach about Hell are ashamed of the gospel. Believers who fail to witness when the opportunity presents itself are ashamed of the gospel.
When everything comes down, when all men fail, Jesus will still be standing.
A close, daily relationship with God will make us unashamed of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ -- our merciful Redeemer, our Rock, our Fortress, our Deliverer, our God, and our strength?
Are you afraid of the boogieman in the dark or the monster under the bed? Hopefully, we out-grew that. We did, didn't we?
The adult version is fear of the unknown -- Iran, health, finances or whatever is in your fear box. Fear will torment you if you let it. You don't have to be afraid.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
In times of fear, the "Spirit of God's power" is the voice of faith. It speaks to our hearts in the heat of fear and says, "God can!" God can what? God can take care of the unknown problem and your fear. Because God can -- you can.
The way to overcome our fears is to release the "Spirit of power" within us by faith. We can be sure of God's power when we are doing His work, proclaiming His Word, and representing His kingdom..
1 John 4:16,18 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear . . .
