Three Marks of the Christian Life

The Fundamentals Of The Christian Faith

Lesson 16

Three Marks of the Christian Life

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is." - 1 Saint John 3,2.

A. The Christ Life And The Cross

Through faith in Christ, the believer is indeed in a blessed state. He is a child of God and an heir of eternal life. In God's Word he has comfort for every trouble and strength for every problem. However, in spite of all this he must follow in the Savior's example, walk in the same lowliness, humility and suffering which made up the Master's life on earth.

1. Does God punish the believer through suffering?

When the believer is called upon to endure suffering, sometimes more than the unbeliever, such sorrows are a cross and not a punishment of divine wrath, but flow from God's love for our temporal and eternal good.

2. How does Holy Scripture emphasize the necessity of cross-bearing?

"He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me. He that findeth his life shall lose it, and he that loseth his life for My sake shall find it." - Saint Matthew 10, 38-39.

"Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it." - Saint Mark 8, 34-35.

Cross-bearing is so closely connected with Christian discipleship that those who refuse to follow the example of our Savior in bearing their crosses, can hardly be regarded as true Christians.

3. Why does God permit His believers to suffer?

"I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us . . . And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose." - Romans 8, 18-28.

God permits believers to suffer for helpful remedial purposes. Christian cross-bearing is a characteristic of Christ's pilgrims who are on their way to heaven, confident that as they have suffered with Him, they shall also be glorified with Him.

4. What are some of the outstanding benefits of Christian cross-bearing?

It points them to heaven.
"We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." - Acts 14, 22.

It makes them humble before before God.
"Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." - 2 Corinthians 12,7.

It teaches them firm trust in God's grace:
"My grace is sufficient fro thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." - 2 Corinthians 12,9.

It strengthens their faith:
"The trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ." - 1 Saint Peter 1, 7.

It moves them to pray:
"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears." - Psalm 18, 6.

It helps overcome sin:
"Our old man is crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." - Romans 6, 6.

"Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh; arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin." - 1 Saint Peter 4, 1.

It turns their hearts from this life to the eternal life to come:
"We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen as temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." - 2 Corinthians 4, 18.

5. What reassuring promise does God give His suffering believer?

"Lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me." - 2 Corinthians 12, 7-8.

The Bible promises that our heavenly Father will give us strength needed to bear our sufferings and that our cross will not exceed our strength to bear it. Indeed, unless the Holy Spirit grants us grace to bear our crosses, we shall not have enough power to bear even the least sorrow.

B. The Christian Life And Prayer

6. What is prayer?

"Let the words of my mouth, and the mediation of my heart, ge acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my Strength, and my Redeemer." - Psalm 19, 14.

Prayer is an act of worship in which we bring our petitions before God with our hearts and lips and offer up praise and thanksgiving to Him.

7. What is the basis of true Christian prayer?

"I am the Way, the Truth , and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me." - Saint John 14, 6.

Christian prayer always presupposes faith in Christ. For that reason, Holy Scripture regards as true prayers only those which are offered in the name of Christ.

8. To whom should we pray?

"Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve." - Saint Matthew 4, 10.

Prayer should be directed only to the true God, Father, Son and Holy Ghost, because He alone should be so honored and He alone is able and willing to hear and grant our prayer.

9. What should move us to pray?

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened." - Saint Matthew 7, 7-8.

"Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorigy Me." - Psalm 50, 15.

We should be moved by God's command and promises, our own and our neghbor's need, and gratitude for God's mighty benediction.

10. What should we ask of God in our prayers?

"What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive the, and ye shall have them." - Saint Mark 11, 24.

"All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." - Saint Matthew 21,22.

We should ask for all things. For spiritual and bodily blessings, which tend to the glory of God and our own and our neighbor's welfare.

11. What distinction do we make in our prayers?

When praying for spiritual blessing necessary for our salvation, we should ask unconditionally. When praying for other gifts, we ask that God grant them to us ir it be His will.

12. How should we pray?

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you." - Saint John 16, 23.

"All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." - Saint Matthew 21,22.

We should pray in the name of Jesus, and with a firm confidence that for the Savior's sake our prayer will be answered.

C. The Christian Life And The Hope Of Eternal Life

13. What glorious hope should characterize the life of every believer?

"Wait for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ!" - 1 Corinthians 1, 7.

"Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ." - Titus 2, 13.

"Our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ." - Philippians 3, 20.

The Christian life is lived in the constant hope of Christ's second coming, and the entry into eternal life.

14. What effect does this hope of eternal life have upon the Christian's life?

It makes the believer diligent in good works, ardent in the preaching of the Gospel, watchful against earthly security, unmindful of the sorrows of this earthly life, patient in cross- bearing and triumphant in death.

Test Paper - Lesson 16

1. When a Christian endures suffering, is this to be regarded as evidence of God's punishment?
...................................................................................................................................................... .
2. Complete the following Bible passage: "Whosoever will come after Me, ..................................,
...................................................................,.................................................... - Saint Mark 8, 34

3. Cross out incorrect statement(s): God permits Christians to suffer
a. As a punishment for their sins.
b. To purify them through adversity.
c. As a token of His love, to strengthen them in the faith.

4. Name at least two blessings of cross-bearing:
a. ..................................................................................................................................................
b. ..................................................................................................................................................

5. Is the following statement true or false: "When He permits suffering to come into our life, our heavenly Father will also give us the strength needed to bear it." ...................................................

6. In your own words describe what prayer is ...............................................................................

......................................................................................................................................................

7. Complete the following Bible passage: "I am the ..............., the ..............., and the ..................;
No man cometh..............................................................,............................................................"
- Saint John 14, 6.

8. To whom should true prayer be directed? .................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................................

9. Name two other reasons which should move us to pray.
a. ..................................................................................................................................................
b. ..................................................................................................................................................

10. The glorious hope which characterizes the life of a Christian is the hope of .............................

Make every effort to fill in the answers from memory. If you are not sure of certain answers, you may look them up in the lesson. Your paper will be graded according to the following standard: 10 correct: perfect; 9 correct: excellent; 8 correct: very good; 7 correct: good.