Introduction

The book "True Christianity", written by Dr. Paul G. Caram is part one of a four-part series for christian maturity.  It's a guide for christians to use to help to bring us to glory.  It emphasizes the TRUE priorities in life, focuses on what we can take with us when we leave this world, and looks beyond God's blessings to find His heart.

The Introduction to the book starts off with talking about our eternal heavenly inheritance, and what we could potentially have IF we just submit to the Holy Spirit working in our lives.  We go through tests and trials here on earth and they all are for the purpose of perfecting us and making us more like Jesus.  In the Bible the Israelites did not enter into their earthly inheritance because they did not allow the Holy Spirit to work in them, they had failed every test and trial.  The inheritance is given to the overcomers.

Entering into the Rest of God 

1. Reaching our destination - passing the test.  Once the trial is over and we have fully learned our lesson, there is a rest.  We will move forward and closer to God.

2. Experiencing the spiritual sabbath - stop doing things our OWN way. 

3. Marriage - under a protection and guidance of another.  God is our Protector! 

The Journey of the Children of Israel from Egypt to Zion has seven stages and they are likened to our own journey in life.  The journey of christianity:

1. Passover - salvation

2. Unleavened Bread - feeding on the pure Word of God

3. Read Sea - water baptism

4. Mount Sinai - being filled with Holy Spirit

5. Death of Moses - from wilderness to promised land

6. Over Jordan - cleansing, circumcision

7. At Zion - ultimate rest, full presence of God.

 

Knowing God

There were 2 questions Paul asked Christ when he met Him on the Damascus Road.  These 2 questions focus on the heart of christianity.

1. "Who are you Lord?" - We need a relationship with Him in order to Know Him.  There are different degrees of knowing someone.  Casual acquaintance, Friend, or an Intimate friend (like a spouse).

2. "What do you want me to do?" - There is a call and a purpose for everyone's life here on earth.  It is very important that we fullfill our course on earth that we were put here for.  Can you imagine the horrible feeling of standing before God and not having any real good excuse for not doing what he had asked you to do?!  We will be asked to give an account for our life before the throne of God.  We will have nothing to show for our lives. 

We were created for God, to fellowship with Him.  We have a lonliness inside us that can only be fulfilled by God, human love is not suficient enough to fill that void.

Our christianity is like a building being built brick by brick with every choice and decision that we make.  In order to have a good solid walk with God in our christianity, there MUST be a Good Foundation.  It starts early in our walk and must be done with care and careful preparation.  Everything we do must be thought out and prayed for, so that we do the right thing.  Otherwise down the road it will come back to bite us and will be much harder to fix than if it was just done right the first time.