The connection to the divine is personal, but organized religions have specific rules to follow. Even the most devout Christians can sometimes overlook or undervalue these 17 fundamental Christian beliefs.
The Importance of Humility
Christianity focuses on being humble, a quality often ignored in today’s competitive society. Jesus modeled humility by washing his disciples’ feet, teaching that greatness comes from serving others (John 13:14-15).
Forgiveness for Everyone
Christians believe in forgiving everyone, just as God forgives them. This means letting go of grudges against anyone who has wronged them, including enemies, reflecting Jesus’ forgiveness of those who crucified him (Luke 23:34).
Protecting the Earth
In Christianity, there’s a strong focus on taking care of the Earth, seeing humans as caretakers chosen by God. The idea is to respect and protect the environment, which is a responsibility often overlooked when talking about faith (Genesis 1:28).
Pride As A Sin
Christianity views pride as a serious sin because it can lead to other sins and goes against the humility that Jesus demonstrated and taught his followers to embrace. It’s important for Christians to stay humble and avoid pride (Proverbs 16:18).
Faith Without Works Is Dead
James 2:18 says, “Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James isn’t saying you must earn salvation. James explains that people should demonstrate the evidence of their salvation. It is shown by what you believe and how you behave. Reminding Christians that faith alone is not enough without actions to back it up.
The Reality of Spiritual Warfare
Christianity acknowledges the reality of spiritual warfare, emphasizing the ongoing battle between good and evil. Christians are called to put on the “armor of God” to stand against spiritual challenges (Ephesians 6:11-17).
The Sanctity of Life
Christians believe that every life is special and should be protected from the very beginning until the end. This view shapes their thoughts on topics such as abortion and ending someone’s life prematurely, highlighting the importance of each human life. (Psalm 139:13-16).
The Importance of Community
Christianity is not just a personal faith but also a communal one. Believers are encouraged to gather, worship, and support one another, reflecting the early church’s practices (Acts 2:44-47). Britannica describes Christianity as “a culture, a set of ideas and ways of life, practices, and artifacts that have been handed down from generation to generation since Jesus first became the object of faith. Christianity is thus both a living tradition of faith and the culture that the faith leaves behind.”
The Dangers of Materialism
Jesus warned against the dangers of materialism, teaching that one cannot serve both God and money. This belief goes against the idea of buying and collecting things by saying spiritual wealth is more important than having many possessions. (Matthew 6:24).
The Concept of Grace
Grace is a key idea in Christianity. It means that God gives people forgiveness and heaven as a free gift, not because they deserve it through their actions. Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship writes, “If we grow in our understanding and in our experience with grace, it can literally blow our minds. Because grace is not natural for us as humans, our past may hinder us from truly experiencing God’s grace.” Sometimes people find it hard to understand or don’t focus on it enough, even though it’s so important (Ephesians 2:8-9).
The Role of the Holy Spirit
People know the Holy Trinity is God the Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit though the role of the latter is often on the backburner. The Holy Spirit plays a critical role in Christian belief, guiding and empowering believers. The Spirit’s ongoing presence in a believer’s life is sometimes undervalued (Acts 1:8).
The Importance of Discipleship
Discipleship involves growing in faith and mentoring others in their spiritual journey. This process is essential for making someone’s belief stronger and fostering church growth (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Impact of Sin on Relationships
Christianity teaches that sin not only separates us from God but also damages human relationships. Blue Letter Bible explains, “Sin can cause us to lose compassion for the lost as well as lose interest in testifying to our faith.” Forgiveness and reconciliation are vital to restoring these bonds (Colossians 3:13).
The Practice of Fasting
“Some Christians use the word “fast” when abstaining from pleasures besides food, like TV, internet or, for married couples, sex,” states Cru. Fasting is a spiritual discipline that refocuses attention from worldly to spiritual matters that is often prioritized more in the two other Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Islam. Jesus engaged in a practice that advocated for spiritual strength and clarity and should be more prevalent for Christian followers. (Matthew 4:1-2).
The Unity of the Church
It can seem as though Catholics, Baptists, Presbyterians, and other Christian sects think they are practicing completely different religions. However, despite denominational differences, Christianity calls for unity among believers, reflecting Jesus’ prayer for his followers’ unity (John 17:21).
The Call to Social Justice
Relevant Magazine preaches, “Social justice demands a focus on society’s problems, a necessary concern that conservative Christians have disregarded for centuries.” Christianity encourages fair treatment and help for those who are left out or treated unfairly, just like Jesus helped the poor and people who didn’t have many rights. (Isaiah 1:17).
The Power of Prayer
Prayer in Christianity is talking sincerely with God, not just repeating words. It is a powerful tool for spiritual struggles and brings peace. Pray writes, “God asks us to abide in Him through our Bible and prayer life, and we can ask Him for anything that is good.”(Philippians 4:6).
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