Sandy Zalecki
Member
What are the essential elements of Christianity? There are a few elements that are essential to have a successful Christian walk. I would like to summarize them for you.
A Personal Relationship with Jesus
The most important element of being a Christian is having a relationship with your Savior Jesus Christ. Real Christianity is not merely a religion; it is a relationship with a Person. That person is Jesus. We need to know Jesus. “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) If you do not have do not have a personal relationship with Him then your Christian walk will have little meaning.
You must be a Bondservant of Christ
He is your master and you are his bondservant. That is different from a slave or a boss. In our culture we don’t understand the meaning of a bondservant. Many pastors and preachers today try to tell us that Jesus is our boss. That is wrong, you can leave a boss and quit a job anytime you wish, but once you become a bondservant it is for life. Paul, Peter, James, and Jude all said they were bondservants of Jesus Christ. What is a bondservant? A bondservant is someone who chooses to stay with a master. It is different from being a slave. A slave is property of the master. They can be bought and sold, bread, and treated just like an animal because they are property. A bondservant in the Old Testament was someone who became a servant of another person to pay off a debt, usually six years. Once the debt was paid, the servant would decide whether or not he wanted to stay with the master. If he loved the master then the master would pierce his ear with an awl and then the servant would serve the master forever. It was a mutual relationship. They master was obligated to take care of the servant and his family and the servant was obligated to serve the master forever. It was a one-time decision that neither could go back on.
Paul, Peter, James, and Jude mentioned that they were bondservants of Christ. They choose to serve their master, Jesus Christ, and he took care of them. Have you become a bondservant of Christ?
You must have the Holy Spirit to guide you
Are you experiencing God the way you should? Do you have the walk with God that you desire? Have you been a believer for many years and your Christian walk has become monotonous and boring? Do you desire a dynamic walk with Jesus but you don’t know where to go? Are you experiencing a personal tragedy in your life that has broken you? Only the Lord can heal you of many of the things that you are experiencing. However, no matter what the circumstances and a deeper walk with God is what you desire then the Holy Spirit will be you personal teacher. “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.” (John 14:26) NKJ You must take time every day to study, learn and meditate. The Holy Spirit working in you will confirm in your heart the truth of Scripture. If you do not follow the Holy Spirit you can get into all kinds of problems.
Having a personal relationship with Jesus, being totally submitted to Him as a bondservant, and having the Holy Spirit as your guide will help you have a successful Christian walk.
A Personal Relationship with Jesus
The most important element of being a Christian is having a relationship with your Savior Jesus Christ. Real Christianity is not merely a religion; it is a relationship with a Person. That person is Jesus. We need to know Jesus. “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) If you do not have do not have a personal relationship with Him then your Christian walk will have little meaning.
You must be a Bondservant of Christ
He is your master and you are his bondservant. That is different from a slave or a boss. In our culture we don’t understand the meaning of a bondservant. Many pastors and preachers today try to tell us that Jesus is our boss. That is wrong, you can leave a boss and quit a job anytime you wish, but once you become a bondservant it is for life. Paul, Peter, James, and Jude all said they were bondservants of Jesus Christ. What is a bondservant? A bondservant is someone who chooses to stay with a master. It is different from being a slave. A slave is property of the master. They can be bought and sold, bread, and treated just like an animal because they are property. A bondservant in the Old Testament was someone who became a servant of another person to pay off a debt, usually six years. Once the debt was paid, the servant would decide whether or not he wanted to stay with the master. If he loved the master then the master would pierce his ear with an awl and then the servant would serve the master forever. It was a mutual relationship. They master was obligated to take care of the servant and his family and the servant was obligated to serve the master forever. It was a one-time decision that neither could go back on.
Paul, Peter, James, and Jude mentioned that they were bondservants of Christ. They choose to serve their master, Jesus Christ, and he took care of them. Have you become a bondservant of Christ?
You must have the Holy Spirit to guide you
Are you experiencing God the way you should? Do you have the walk with God that you desire? Have you been a believer for many years and your Christian walk has become monotonous and boring? Do you desire a dynamic walk with Jesus but you don’t know where to go? Are you experiencing a personal tragedy in your life that has broken you? Only the Lord can heal you of many of the things that you are experiencing. However, no matter what the circumstances and a deeper walk with God is what you desire then the Holy Spirit will be you personal teacher. “The Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things.” (John 14:26) NKJ You must take time every day to study, learn and meditate. The Holy Spirit working in you will confirm in your heart the truth of Scripture. If you do not follow the Holy Spirit you can get into all kinds of problems.
Having a personal relationship with Jesus, being totally submitted to Him as a bondservant, and having the Holy Spirit as your guide will help you have a successful Christian walk.
