What are the Seven (7) Critical Mental and Attitudinal Paradigms that were in Early Christians BUT SWITCHED for Counterfeit Convenient Christianity (CCC) today? #paradigm #switch #mercy #peace #ambassador #grace #humility #unity #martyrs
#paradigm #switch #mercy #peace #ambassador #grace #humility #unity #martyrs
Sunday 21st of November, 2021
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Title: What are the Seven (7) Critical Mental and Attitudinal Paradigms that were in Early Christians BUT SWITCHED for Counterfeit Convenient Christianity (CCC) today?
Hello friends, Happy Sunday!
I pray that the grace, mercy and peace of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ be multiplied plenty unto you today and always in Jesus name.
I have taken some quality time over the past ninety (90) days to critically assess the modern-day Christians relative to our first century counterparts within the 1st century AD (100 Years) and I will share with you my discoveries in today’s title, “What are the Seven (7) Critical Mental and Attitudinal Paradigms that were in Early Christians BUT SWITCHED for Counterfeit Convenient Christianity (CCC) today?”
They are these which we will expound hereunder: Slave of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ambassador of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ; Grace of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mercy of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; Peace of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ; Christian Humility and Christian Unity.
If you have read Foxe’s Book of Martyrs written by John Fox, I quote for your reading pleasure how the first persecution started in AD 67 by Nero…
The First Persecution under Nero, A. D. 67.
The first persecution of the church took place in the year 67, under Nero, the sixth emperor of Rome. This monarch reigned for the space of five years, with tolerable credit to himself, but then gave way to the greatest extravagancy of temper, and to the most atrocious barbarities. Among other diabolical whims, he ordered that the city of Rome should be set on fire, which order was executed by his officers, guards, and servants. While the imperial city was in flames, he went up to the tower of Macenas, played upon his harp, sung the song of the burning of Troy, and openly declared, “That he wished the ruin of all things before his death.” Besides the noble pile, called the circus, many other palaces and houses were consumed; several thousands perished in the flames, were smothered in the smoke, or buried beneath the ruins.
This dreadful conflagration continued nine days; when Nero, finding that his conduct was greatly blamed, and a severe odium cast upon him, determined to lay the whole upon the christians, at once to excuse himself, and have an opportunity of glutting his sight with new cruelties. This was the occasion of the first persecution; and the barbarities exercised on the christians were such as even excited the commisseration of the Romans themselves. Nero even refined upon cruelty, and contrived all manner of punishments for the christians that the most infernal imagination could design. In particular, he had some sewed up in the skins of wild beasts, and then worried by dogs till they expired; and others dressed in shirts made stiff with wax, fixed to axletrees, and set on fire in his gardens, in order to illuminate them. This persecution was general throughout the whole Roman empire; but it rather increased than diminished the spirit of christianity. In the course of it, St. Paul and St. Peter were martyred.
To their names may be added, Erastus, chamberlain of Corinth; Aristarchus, the Macedonian; and Trophimus, an Ephesian, converted by St. Paul, and fellow- labourer with him; Joseph, commonly called Barsabas; and Ananias, bishop of Damascus; each of the seventy.”
I have included in this blog as attachment, a 721 page Foxe Book of Martyrs for your reading and meditation. These early Christian brethren had something that we so lack today in modern Christianity. If we do not amend our ways by speedy repentance, we would have not Christianity to pass on to later Christians if the Lord tarries in coming.
Download Foxe’s Book of Martyrs here
souce of file – https://www.pdfdrive.com
The intent of bringing this title up is for you and I to look at these seven critical components as mirrors. Asking for the help of the Holy Spirit, to x-ray you and I in the light of those seven paradigms in our 1st century brethren. If we don’t like what we see, or what the Holy Spirit is playing back to us, then we are encouraged to make commitments to readjust to the “beginning” or the “original”. Anything other than the original is a Counterfeit Convenient Christianity and cannot stand the test of time or yield the intended result of fruits: Practical, Credible, Usable Light and Salt of the earth for all humanity.
Our credible term of reference is the WORD of GOD as recorded by the Apostles.
If you missed our last post titled, “The PURITY, INTEGRITY, INFALLIBILITY, and CAPACITY in God’s WORDs to TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE, and YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES in 33 Passages for YOUR MEDITATION” Kindly Follow the link below: https://www.otakada.org/the-purity-integrity-infallibility-and-capacity-in-gods-words-to-transform-your-life-and-your-circumstances-in-33-passages-for-your-meditation/
Now let’s dive into Seven (7) Critical Mental and Attitudinal Paradigms that were in Early Christians
1)Slaves of the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ
Our Early Christian brothers saw themselves first and foremost as slaves of our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Who then is a slave to show you how low below the echelon of command these early Christians placed themselves?
Online dictionary gave two definition of a slave as follows:
- a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another and forced to provide unpaid labor.
- a person entirely under the domination of some influence or person:
Another definition from Britannica says:
slavery, condition in which one human being was owned by another. A slave was considered by law as property, or chattel, and was deprived of most of the rights ordinarily held by free persons.
Early Christians knew that before they were kings, priest and gods on earth, they were slaves to our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Means, you have no agenda of your own. You don’t own yourself or your time or your life. You cannot name it and claim it. You have to secure authorization from the commander in chief before you proceed. What you see Him do or He tells you to do or shows you to do is what you do. Nothing more, nothing less.
Scriptures to back this mindset are as follows:
Romans 1:1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: Sha’ul(Paul), a slave of the Messiah Yeshua, an emissary because I was called and set apart for the Good News of God.
Philippians 1:1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: Sha’ul(Paul) and Timothy, slaves of the Messiah Yeshua
To: All God’s people united with the Messiah Yeshua and living in Philippi, along with the congregation leaders and shammashim:
Titus 1:1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: Sha’ul (Paul), God’s slave and an emissary of Yeshua the Messiah, sent to promote among God’s chosen people the trust and knowledge of truth which lead to godliness
James 1:1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: Ya‘akov(James), a slave of God and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah
To: The Twelve Tribes in the Diaspora:
Shalom!
2 Peter 1:1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: Shim‘on Kefa(Simon Peter), a slave and emissary of Yeshua the Messiah
To: Those who, through the righteousness of our God and of our Deliverer Yeshua the Messiah, have been given the same kind of trust as ours:
Jude 1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 From: Y’hudah(Jude), a slave of Yeshua the Messiah and a brother of Ya‘akov
To: Those who have been called, who are loved by God the Father and kept for Yeshua the Messiah:
Revelation 1:1
Complete Jewish Bible
1 This is the revelation which God gave to Yeshua the Messiah, so that he could show his servants what must happen very soon. He communicated it by sending his angel to his servant Yochanan(John),
Selah!
2) Ambassadors of the Father and of the Lord Jesus Christ
Our Early Christian Brothers saw themselves as diplomats in a foreign country. The foreign country is the earth. The never consider earth home, but pilgrims.
Who then is a diplomat or an ambassador?
An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sovereign or appointed for a special and often temporary diplomatic assignment.
In a nutshell, they don’t speak their mind. They speak as the representative of a foreign nation and are usually temporal in those foreign nations until they are called back home. They can be sent to any part of the world to represent their home country.
Hereunder are scriptures to backup this position:
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Ephesians 6:20
for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
Luke 14:23
And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and along the hedges, and compel them to come in, so that my house may be filled.
3) Grace of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ
This is the most confused term and misapplied term in modern Christianity. SO, I will spend time here.
Many have taken the glory due to God for themselves because the grace of God upon their lives have made many to worship them as a result of some powerful gift of working of miracles or some other miraculous deeds. Rather than stop them, or ask them to give glory to God, they accept the glory due to God, the giver of the grace for the miracle in the first instance. This ought not to be so.
While to list types of grace might make it sound like there are different graces, that is not the case.
1 Peter 5:10 declares that God is the God of all grace.
God relates to us through grace and these types simply describe some of the different ways in which God relates to us.
Grace is defined as the unmerited gift from God based on His unconditional love for us.
Grace is God’s gift to us that is continually transforming us into the fullness of us in His image. And we have been given permission through the sacrificial gift of Christ to confidently approach His throne and seek His grace. Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).
In my humanness, I want to somehow earn the love and grace of God; however, God offers this gift to us freely for His glory. It is most crazy that I continue to strive for the gift that I have been freely given – God’s Grace.
Types of Grace
It may be helpful to offer a brief understanding of who has defined grace and its varying types. The word grace is used and defined within scripture 124 times, 10 in the Old Testament and 114 times in the New Testament.
Eighty of the New Testament uses of the word Grace occur in the letters of Paul. From these scriptures, people have grouped the use of grace into types of grace.
In the Catholic tradition, there are two types of grace,: Actual and Sanctifying.
John Wesley and the Wesleyan Traditions speak of four types of grace: prevenient, justifying, sanctifying, and glorifying. Charismatic traditions add Miraculous Grace or Charismatic Grace.
Here I have included some of the more common labels and provided a definition or description. Some of these labels might be overlapping or actually speaking of the same kind of grace. For example, actual grace, common grace, and prevenient grace all describe the goodness of God. Each of these terms has been included to help give us a framework for understanding their usage.
Actual grace is that special help that the Holy Spirit gives us to enlighten our minds and to inspire and guide our wills to do good and to avoid evil in particular situations. It consists of temporary gifts of divine light for our minds and divine powers for our hearts. It is the nudges that God uses to get our attention so that we might enter more deeply into a relationship with Him. Actual grace compels us to take action in our lives to put God first.
Common Grace
God loves all people. Common Grace is God’s kindness to everyone whether or not they acknowledge Him. While it is true that believers will experience both common grace and saving grace, those who are apart from Christ will only experience common grace in this life.
Scriptural evidence of God’s common grace.
Psalm 104:14 – He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate—bringing forth food from the earth:
Matthew 5:45 – He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Luke 6:35 – He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Acts 14:17 – Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy.
Acts 17:25 – He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.
Prevenient Grace
This old fashion word means to precede. To precede what? When discussing Grace, prevenient grace is the work that prepares our hearts and minds to hear and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
God works in and around our lives before we even have awareness of Him moving on our behalf.
By God’s grace, the Holy Spirit is present in our lives. He lifts our eyes heavenward and draws us to Christ through, the silent declaration of creation, the loving support of a friend, the modeling of faith by a parent, the prayers lifted on our behalf, or a sermon that sounds like God speaking directly to us.
Justifying Grace
Romans 3:23 tells us that “All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory”. No matter how hard we try or how much effort we exert, we cannot be good enough. Because of God’s great love for us, He made a way through Christ for us to be pardoned or justified.
In this falling world, we are born into the sin of Adam and because of that, the image of God that we were created to be is distorted by sin.
Thankfully, God made a way by His grace, through faith, for us to receive forgiveness and be pardoned. A gift offered through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ for everyone to receive. God opens the door.
When we make the choice to accept this gift, we cross over the threshold from unbelief to belief.
Sanctifying Grace
Prevenient and justifying grace enables you to become a Christian, but it is sanctifying grace that enables you to be a Christian.
To sanctify means to make holy. Once God’s prevenient grace has convicted us of our sin and our need for Christ and after we receive His forgiveness by faith through God’s justifying grace, His Spirit begins the process of our inner transformation. It is God’s sanctifying graces that transform us into the likeness of Christ.
As Paul writes in Romans 12:2, do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, we participate in the process of sanctifying grace by positioning ourselves to receive this grace.
Through participation in acts of worship, devotion, justice, and compassion we open ourselves to allow God to fill us. This is not working to earn something from God but making room for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and lives.
Glorifying Grace
Finally, it is glorifying grace that enables you to be fully conformed to the image of Christ in the New Creation.
Romans 8:30-32 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
John Wesley’s view of glorifying grace is this is after this life and in the life eternal. Others view the term glorifying grace as available to us now, this understanding is the same as Wesley’s understanding of sanctifying grace.
Preached Grace
Preached grace is the preaching of the gospel, which, when accompanied by the ministry of the Holy Spirit, releases the power to transform sinners into saints by God’s grace.
Colossians 1:5-6 the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
Provisional Grace
Through His provisional grace, God provides for all our needs. As James 1:17 says, Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights.
When you get a better job or an unexpected gift, count it as grace from God. Provisional grace transforms our understanding of material possessions so that we see ourselves as stewards of things God has given us.
Adopting Grace
Adopting grace results in God becoming our spiritual Father and including us as members of his family, the church. Ephesians 1:4–6 says, In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Adopting grace completely transforms our motive for holy living.
Miraculous Grace
Because God is supernatural, there are times that He shows up in extraordinary ways doing things that only He can do.
We call these miracles as we read about them in the Bible and sometimes see them in our lives. Miraculous grace is poured out when God enables signs, wonders, and miracles to accompany his people.
For example, Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed amazing miracles and signs among the people (Acts 6:8). Through His grace, God still does miraculous things every day. And he has generously given each one of us supernatural grace, according to the size of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7 (TPT)
Sustaining Grace
Finally, in those times of trial and suffering, God sustains us. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When we approach the throne of Grace we receive the Lord’s mercy and grace. And while this gift does not always look as we long for or desire, His grace whichever type we receive is transforming us into the image of Christ.
God is the God of all grace. (1 Peter 5:10)
4) Mercy of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ
Early Christians understood that is it by the mercies of God that they are not consumed and they extended the mercy the received to others with so much ease. God says I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and compassion on whom I will have compassion. Gods mercy was not taken for granted as we do today. Thinking we are some new class of people from another planet deserving of Gods mercy.
“God is pleased to show mercy to His enemies, according to His own sovereign pleasure. Though He is infinitely above all and stands in no need of creatures; yet He is graciously pleased to take a merciful notice of poor worms in the dust.”
“God’s mercy is His tenderhearted, loving compassion for His people. It is His tenderness of heart toward the needy. If grace contemplates humans as sinful, guilty, and condemned, mercy sees them as miserable and needy.”
Mercy is defined as: Compassionate or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one’s power; compassion, pity, or benevolence: Have mercy on the poor sinner; the disposition to be compassionate or forbearing: an adversary wholly without mercy.
the discretionary power of a judge to pardon someone or to mitigate punishment, especially to send to prison rather than invoke the death penalty; an act of kindness, compassion, or favor: She has performed countless small mercies for her friends and neighbors; something that gives evidence of divine favor; blessing: It was just a mercy we had our seat belts on when it happened.
Examples of Mercy in the Bible
Adam and Eve
We first learn of God’s mercy in the story of Adam and Eve, when God covered their shame with the skins of a sacrificed animal (Genesis 3:21).
Israel’s Mercy Seat
Then we learn of the mercy seat where God would meet with the priests on Israel’s behalf in Exodus 25:19-22. The Greek word for mercy seat, translated from the Old Testament, is hilasterion—usually translated “propitiation.” We see this word in Romans 3:25. Christ became the once-and-for-all acceptable and wrath-satisfying sacrifice on our behalf.
Jesus Christ
In “What Is the Mercy Seat?”, Stephen Nichols wrote, God desires to meet with His people, and the blood of the spotless lamb is the only means by which that meeting is possible. The mercy seat of the Old Testament and the blood sprinkled upon it by the high priest, prefigured Christ to come.” The mercy seat was as real as the cross to come. Christ is now our mercy seat.
God’s mercy never runs out. “There is no ‘empty’ on the mercy tank in heaven,” wrote Dr. David Jeremiah in The Jeremiah Study Bible. “God just waits for His people to demonstrate that we really mean business. When we come to Him in true repentance, His mercy will just overflow us like the waves of the sea, because He is rich in mercy.” (See Ephesians 2:4-5)
Why Is Mercy Important?
Mercy triumphs over judgment, but refusing mercy is disastrous, inviting judgment. God’s judgment for sin is never unjust. “His judgment is always the result of mercy that was offered and refused,” wrote Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth, “mercy that was offered and spurned.” The Lord is patient and never wants us to perish. He wants us to repent, but those who refuse mercy will receive judgment (2 Peter 3:9; Proverbs 29:1).
Bible Verses about Mercy
Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful (Luke 6:36, ESV); For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13, ESV).
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy (Matthew 5:7, ESV); Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners (Matthew 9:13, ESV).
Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16, ESV).
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:3, ESV).
God’s mercy shows up in our lives at salvation (Titus 3:5), and He continually shows mercy in forgiveness (1 John 1:9). He extended mercy in protecting Israel—sending prophets to warn them of sin and draw them back to Himself. He still convicts us through the Holy Spirit. His grace and mercy preserve His people.
God shows mercy in His understanding too. Our Great High Priest understands us and calls us to the throne of grace where we can find mercy (Hebrews 4:16). There is also mercy in God’s commission—He wants us to make His mercy look great among the nations (Romans 15:9-13). God even shows loving mercy in His disciplining of us (Hebrews 12:6; Proverbs 3:12).
The wonder of wonders is that God would choose to transform us by His mercies so we can be holy and acceptable to Him (Romans 12:1), worshipping Him in the splendor of holiness (Psalm 96:9). He has truly wrapped His children in mercy from salvation and throughout eternity.
5) Peace of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ
Early Christians had peace that overflowed despite intense persecution.
What Is the Peace of God? Its Biblical Meaning and Practical Benefits
According to the Bible, the peace of God, “which transcends all understanding,” is the harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit trusting in the power and grace of God.
According to the Bible, the peace of God, “which transcends all understanding,” is the harmony and calmness of body, mind, and spirit that supersedes earthly circumstances. Nearly all of the letters of Paul start with the phrase “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Throughout scripture, we find that peace is defined as a blessing from God and harmonious with His character.
And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:23
The peace of God can be described as a tranquil state of appreciation and faith when we submit to and trust the commandments of God and Christ. It requires a mixture of humility and courage to experience God’s peace, seeking beyond the mere abilities of our own understanding.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding Proverbs 3:5
If God is inherently peaceful, then to appreciate God is to live in His peace. The nearer we move to Him, the more of His peace we can experience. Thankfully, the Bible provides us specific guidance about how to be closer to Him.
Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:8
Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. Psalms 24:3-4
The peace we feel at first, when our guilty consciences are washed clean, builds as we get to better know God over time. The scripture verse of 2 Peter 1:2 encourages this growing relationship with God saying, “May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22
When we grow in our knowledge of the wisdom and prosperity of God’s love for us, our minds and spirits develop a restful faith of His power and grace. We begin to recognize that He really will make all things work together for our good and that His purposes will be achieved.
May have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:18-19
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21
But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations. Psalm 33:11
Peace of God: Bible Verses
Philippians 4:6 NIV – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
Ephesians 1:3 NIV – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Colossians 3:15 NIV – Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
6) Christian Humility
Early Christians were humble to the core, a virtue that is now replace with pride on the highest level.
Christian humility
Biblical humility means believing what God says about you over anyone else’s opinion, including your own. It requires embracing who you are in Christ over who you are in the flesh. To be biblically humble is to be so free of concern for your own ego that you unreservedly elevate those around you
What Is Humility?
Humility is often characterized as genuine gratitude and a lack of arrogance, a modest view of one’s self. However, the biblical definition of humility goes beyond this. Humility is a critical and continuous emphasis of godliness in the Bible, as we are called upon to be humble followers of Christ and trust in the wisdom and salvation of God. Let us be humble before our creator for the gift of life we have been given.
Biblical humility is grounded in the nature of God. The Father descends to help the poor and afflicted; the incarnate Son manifests humility from birth until His crucifixion. The coupled usage of “meek” and “humble in heart” in Matthew 11:29 emphasizes Christ’s humility before humankind, whom he came to serve, and His submission before God. Humility and meekness are often interrelated as both are righteous traits for serving the will of God.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;” Proverbs 3:5
The profound Bible verse of Proverbs 3:5 is an excellent summation of the biblical meaning of humility. To be humble, we must have faith that God will lead us in the best way to live and what to avoid in temptation. We are to put complete trust in the Lord and not deceive ourselves with vanity or lust. We should lean on the understanding, wisdom, and divinity of God to show us the righteous path through prayer, meditation, fasting, and other faithful practices. In order to do this, we must have the initial requirement of humility to open our hearts and withdraw from the arrogance of our ego.
“Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life.” Proverbs 22:4
Proverbs gives us a deeper look into the biblical meaning of humility as we are given a direct explanation. “Humility is the fear of the Lord,” provides a very precise definition. Not only does being humble consist of trusting God and following his will, but furthermore fearing the consequences of neglecting His commands for truth, love, work ethic, mercy, and beyond. Humility is recognizing the magnificent power of God and the potential retribution He will condemn upon us if we do not aim our purpose towards righteousness.
Define Humility
Merriam-Webster simply defines humility as “freedom from pride or arrogance: the quality or state of being humble.” For further depth into this definition, let’s look at the three senses in which humble is defined:
1: not proud or haughty: not arrogant or assertive
2: reflecting, expressing, or offered in a spirit of deference or submission; a humble apology
3: ranking low in a hierarchy or scale; not costly or luxurious
Importance of Humility
The importance of humility is directly related to the deadly consequences of pride. Pride separates us from God as we do not acknowledge and appreciate the eternal sovereignty of our Lord. Therefore, the importance of humility is seen in the deep gratitude we hold in proper recognition of God’s divinity and love for us. Humility’s importance is also found in recognizing our flawed nature as humans on earth and our susceptibility to sin if not vigilant against temptation. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” ~ 1 Peter 5:8
Humility is frequently mentioned in scripture as it relates to our salvation in Jesus Christ. Christi Given gives a great summary of the significance of being humble in our relationship with God:
To enter God’s presence we must come humbly to the throne: 1 Peter 5:6.
God says the meek shall inherit the earth: Matthew 5:5.
The proud are cast down and will be humbled: James 4:10.
When we are humbled or even when we suffer, we need to remember we will ultimately reign with Christ: 2 Timothy 2:12.
Jesus even humbled Himself, therefore we should also have the mind of humility: Philippians 2:5-11.
Humility in the Bible
– Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:3-11
– But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6
– For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Luke 14:11
– Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 1 Peter 5:6
– Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14
– When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2
– Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12
– If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
7) Christian Unity
Early Christians had all things in common and forth every step of the way to maintain the unity of the spirit from within and from without.
What is the importance of Christian unity?
Shortly before He went to the cross, Jesus prayed for unity among His followers: “Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one” (John 17:11).
Later in the same prayer, Jesus asked “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us. . . . I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity” (John 17:21–23). Obviously, Christian unity is important to our Lord.
Jesus not only prayed for unity, but He gave the reasons that Christian unity is important: He asked that all believers may be in the Father and the Son, “so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21). And then Jesus prayed for “complete unity” so that “the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (verse 23). When Christians are united in Christ, the world sees two things clearly: Jesus was sent by the Father, and Jesus loves His church.
In Romans 15:5–6, we see another, more general reason that Christian unity is important: “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (ESV). The bottom line is God’s glory. God’s people should be speaking with one voice in glorifying God.
Christian unity comes with Christian maturity, and it is always something that we strive to attain. Paul instructs us to “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3). Helping us toward that unity are the gifts of the Spirit. God has given each Christian different gifts, and their exercise in the edification of the church leads to more and more unity. One purpose of the gifts is that “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 1:13).
To promote Christian unity, God presents the church in 1 Corinthians 12:12–27 as a living body. The body has many members, each with specialized work to do, but all the parts are united in the Head of the Body, which is Christ (see Ephesians 4:15).
Christians naturally form local communities in which no one needs to rejoice or suffer alone (Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:26). Christians from many different backgrounds working in unity display the power of the gospel and the universality of its saving message (Galatians 3:26–28). Christians bring honor to God’s name by pursuing unity in the power of the Holy Spirit who brings us together as one through faith in Christ.
Christian unity is a virtue, but there are some things that can and should limit unity. We don’t pursue unity simply for the sake of unity; it is Christ and His truth that unite us. Scripturally, we are to separate from professed brothers and sisters in Christ who live in persistent, unrepentant sin (Matthew 18:15–17; 1 Corinthians 5:1–2) and from those who teach false doctrine (Revelation 2:14–15). “Watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them” (Romans 16:17).
As Ephesians 4:13 intimates, we won’t reach full Christian unity until we attain “to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” But we strive for it. The unity that faith in Christ brings extends God’s love on earth and demonstrates the truth of who Jesus is. Unity in the church also foreshadows the worship in heaven, where a great multitude “from every nation, tribe, people and language” stands before God and cries out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9–10).
Conclusion
I hope I have done justice to today’s title – “What are the Seven (7) Critical Mental and Attitudinal Paradigms that were in Early Christians BUT SWITCHED for Counterfeit Convenient Christianity (CCC) today?”
And expounding of the 7 critical switch of mental and attitudinal Paradigms as follows: Slave of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ambassador of the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ; Grace of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ, Mercy of the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; Peace of the Father and of our Lord Jesus Christ; Christian Humility and Christian Unity.
Father, I ask that truly, we will be your slave, representing you correctly, multiply your grace, mercy and peace upon us all. May we run this race in all humility and unity of the spirit in Jesus name, amen.
Shalom!
Ambassador Oreojo Monday Ogbe
God’s Eagle Ministries
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