GRADUATING FROM SPIRITUAL INFANCY (PART 4)

Can I tell you a hard truth? The present generation of Christians in the Americas and Europe is a spiritually lazy generation. There is a terrible ignorance of the Word of God. Many Christians never become mature disciples. Instead, they remain spiritual infants always needing encouragement from others but seldom able to help build others spiritually.

When I was a babe in Christ, we were expected to grow up fast. Daily devotions were automatic. So was memorizing certain key scripture verses that taught us how to fight spiritual battles and how to keep Jesus Christ as our number one priority each day.

After about a year, if a new believer did not know many of these approximately 70 scriptures, he or she was viewed as a sort of "dummy"-too lazy or careless to really mean business with God.

That's why I'm offering you a challenge. Memorize these basic scriptures as well as the names of the books of the Bible. Review them often and they will become part of your life. You will see a steady growth in becoming a mature disciple and there will be fruit in your Christian life. This is the final of four lessons that list the books of the Bible and the approximately 70 scriptures to put in your memory forever. For that is how long each verse of scripture will endure-forever!

Then don't stop with these basic scriptures but continue to hide God's Word in your heart and mind. The Holy Spirit will bless you as you do.

MORE NEW TESTAMENT VERSES

2 TIMOTHY 1:7 (Our God is not the author of fear but of power.)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."

2 TIMOTHY 2:15 (God wants each Christian to be a student of the Bible.)

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

2 TIMOTHY 3:16 (We can rely on all of the Scripture as the authentic Word of God.)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

HEBREWS 4:12 (God's Word is alive and He uses His Word to make us holy and obedient.)

"For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

HEBREWS 11:1,6 (The Christian faith is not built on myths but on a solid foundation of historical facts. And God gives us faith to trust Him and rewards us as we seek Him.)

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen... But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him."

HEBREWS 12:1,2 (This is what keeps us going when doubts arise. Jesus is not only the author but the finisher of our faith.)

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

HEBREWS 13:8 (The Jesus who walks with you and loves you never changes.)

"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever."

JAMES 1:5 (We all need wisdom. Here's how to obtain it.)

"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him."

JAMES 2:17 (True faith always produces good works.)

"Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead."

JAMES 4:7 (Two simple but powerful steps to defeat the devil.)

"Therefore submit yourself to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

1 PETER 2:9 (God uses our lives to show the world the difference between Satan's darkness and God's awesome light.)

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light."

1 PETER 3:15 (Every believer is to be ready and able to give his or her testimony to those who ask the reason for our hope.)

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."

1 PETER 5:7 (Why worry when we have a promise like this!)

"Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you."

2 PETER 3:18 (There is no place-and no day-to stop growing in the Lord.)
"But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen"

1 JOHN 1:7 (No Christian is an island. We need regular fellowship with other believers.)

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin."

1 JOHN 1:9 (Here is our Father's wonderful promise to those who don't hide their sins.)

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

1 JOHN 2:16 (Here is how we recognize the difference between pleasing the world or pleasing God.)

"For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world."

1 JOHN 3:18 (Love is not a word but an action.)

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth."

1 JOHN 4:4 (Hallelujah! It's not who we are-but who lives in us!)

"You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

1 JOHN 4:18 (Here is God's answer to every tormenting fear.)

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. He who fears has not been made perfect in love."

REVELATION 3:20 (A great verse to use in leading others to the Lord.)

"Behold I stand at the door and knock, If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."

IN CONCLUSION

These last four studies give you enough work to keep you busy for the next six to twelve months. Go to work! No more "spiritual infancy" for you or me!