Walter Scott, a member of the Campbell-Stone Restoration movement, was influential in the movement’s principles: to restore the New Testament Church to its biblical roots and focus. He came up with a concept called the “5 fingers of faith.” Many teach this as:
1. Faith
2. Repentance
3. Baptism
4. Remission of Sin
5. Gifts of the Holy Spirit
I like this. It’s simple, and we can support it in the scripture. There’s a problem with this methodology, though. It’s not what Walter Scott taught. It removes a Key word, specifically, a PERSON from the equation. What Scott actually taught was:
Faith in Jesus
Repentance Toward Jesus
Baptism into Jesus
Remission of Sin because of Jesus
Gifts of the Holy Spirit from Jesus
Resulting in Eternal life WITH Jesus
Loved ones, we’re coming upon Resurrection Sunday. And many of us are removing Jesus from the equation there as well. Easter is all about Jesus. Resurrection is all about Jesus. LIFE is all about Jesus. If Jesus is the goal, shouldn’t He be our focus? The world will do as it will. Entertainments are only for a season. Christ is forever, and His rising from the grave on His own volition is proof of that. Life only works as we focus on Jesus. Our situations may not change, but He can get us through them. Focus on Jesus.
Philippians 2:1-18
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.
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