MARCH 17, Philippians 3:3-6

Children, today, we are going to learn about true Christianity. True Christianity is different from many of the other religions. Many religions of today have the concept of heaven and hell. Their followers believe they can go to heaven by doing good works and observing religious rituals. These religions are founded by men trying to reach God. They would therefore draw up a list of rules and rituals for their believers to follow and practise. The rituals could be processions of statutes or idols, kissing of the religious leader’s feet, shaving of hair, fasting or even meditations. The believers of these religions are encouraged to give alms to the poor or to do charitable works. All these rituals and good works are done in the hope that it will earn them a place in heaven.

In contrast, true Christianity is not man’s invention; it is from God. True Christianity is about God’s grace in sending the Lord Jesus Christ to this earth to live a perfect life and to die on the cross for sinners. It is God’s way of reconciling sinful man to Himself. True Christianity is not about doing works or performing rituals to earn a place in heaven. A person is saved and will have a place in heaven if he or she by faith accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as his or her personal Lord and Saviour. In other words, salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Before Paul became a Christian, he was very religious. He practised Judaism and rituals like circumcision. Though he was an expert on the Old Testament and all the Jewish laws, he was spiritually dead. The Holy Spirit was not in him because he did not believe in Jesus then. He thought that performing rituals and doing good works will save him. But thankfully, by God’s grace he was saved later on when he met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. Today, some people may regularly attend church service, prayer meetings, and Bible studies without believing in Jesus Christ. They are only professing Christians who think that they are saved by doing these things. They can only be saved if they have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Lord and Saviour. Only then can they become true Christians.

Are you a true Christian or are you just putting on a show?

Thought: I am a Christian because Christ found me and now lives in me.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to be a Christian in my heart and in deeds. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.