Keeping the Heritage I

Text: II Jn.9-13
More lessons: I Tim.4:13-16
Bible Reading in one Year: Ezekiel 1-3

Heritage means the features belonging to the culture of a particular society such as tradition, languages or building, which exist from the past and still have importance in the present. The Christian heritage must be preserved in the face of passing fashions and practices in the world wherein we dwell. Some have started to lose sight of the fact that though Christianity teaches grace and love abundantly, it is a faith with a definite system of beliefs with definite content. If Christianity will not be phased out among the upcoming generations then the heritage must be preserved by all members of the body of Christ. The first place to start this preservation is to clearly and firmly recognize that Christianity has doctrines. Christian doctrine is a clear articulation of Biblical truth. Doctrine has to do with preserving our Christian heritage and giving a legacy to future generation of Christians. Doctrine is content of teaching intended to be accepted and believed as truth. Removing doctrine which comprises the essence of the Christian faith is to become non-Christian. The advantages of learning and teaching doctrines include; i) It helps cure our minds of childishly subjective interpretations of the Bible. ii) It is both for discipleship of our minds, spiritual formation of our hearts helping to nurture our relationship with God and people. iii) Correct doctrine helps us mature and guard against sin giving stability to our lives. iv) Doctrine gives power to witness, encourages believers and it is the foundation of fellowship among believers. v) Biblical doctrines consistently taught is an anchor that keeps us from drifting from scriptural moorings taught by Jesus and His disciples while on earth.

What we believe affects what we do therefore to keep our Christian heritage we must all have good and sound knowledge of Biblical doctrines much more now that we are in the last days when false prophets and false doctrines are multiplying. The second way to preserve the Christian heritage and stay in the truth till Jesus comes again is to attend Bible studies regularly in a Bible believing church.

Gradually, pursuits of life are making many abandon Bible studies attendance to the detriment of keeping their Christian heritage and passing it to their children. Some even attend Bible studies and leave their family members at home. Anyone who does not attend Bible studies will soon end up with a dead faith and such a person may miss heaven at last. Ask yourself in the last one month whether you created time to attend Bible studies as you should? Finally to preserve the heritage we must all be like the Bereans who studied the Scriptures to check whether what they were taught were so Acts 17:11. Evaluate yourself today. Is your Christianity still alive? Are you passing it to your children? Will it still be in your family after you are long dead?

Prayer/Action
* Father, let the Christian heritage live in my time and beyond in Jesus name
List five ways you can preserve the Christian heritage in your home and family and begin to do those things immediately.

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