The Christian Life Journey
-
The Christian Life Journey (Contents)
Chapter 1: Humanity’s Condition Before Salvation Chapter 2: The Proclamation of the Gospel Chapter 3: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Conviction Chapter 4: Saving Faith – Believing in Jesus Christ Chapter 5: Biblical Repentance Chapter 6: Confession and Commitment Chapter 7: The Meaning and Role of Baptism Chapter…
-
The Christian Life Journey (Introduction)
Framing the Christian Journey Definition: What is the Christian Life? The Christian life is a lifelong, transformational journey of faith, rooted fundamentally in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This journey progresses through distinct stages—from spiritual blindness to eternal glorification—and is characterised by belief in the person and redemptive work of…
-
Chapter 1: Humanity’s Condition Before Salvation
PART I: SPIRITUAL CONDITION AND THE CALL TO SALVATION Theological Overview: Total Depravity and Separation from God The Christian doctrine of salvation begins with a sobering truth: humanity’s fallen condition. Drawing from the Augustinian and Reformed traditions, the doctrine of total depravity asserts that every part of human nature—mind, will,…
-
Chapter 2: The Proclamation of the Gospel
Overview: What Is the Gospel? Who Proclaims It? The word gospel (Greek euangelion, “good news”) defines the heart of the Christian faith. It is not merely a set of ethical principles or religious truths, but the divine announcement that salvation is available through the person and work of Jesus Christ—His…
-
Chapter 3: The Work of the Holy Spirit in Conviction
Overview: How God Awakens the Heart The convicting work of the Holy Spirit is the crucial starting point in the believer’s journey of salvation. Before a person can respond to the gospel in saving faith and genuine repentance, they must be awakened to the reality of sin, the righteousness of…
-
Chapter 4: Saving Faith – Believing in Jesus Christ
PART II: CONVERSION – ENTERING NEW LIFE IN CHRIST Theological Overview: Justification by Faith Alone At the heart of the Christian gospel lies the doctrine of justification by faith alone (sola fide). This foundational truth, recovered and emphasised during the Protestant Reformation, proclaims that sinners are declared righteous before God…
-
Chapter 5: Biblical Repentance
Overview: Change of Mind, Heart, and Direction Biblical repentance is a foundational element of authentic conversion. It involves far more than momentary regret or surface-level remorse; it is a deep, Spirit-wrought transformation of the entire person—mind, heart, and will. The Greek word metanoia, meaning “change of mind,” encompasses a complete…
-
Chapter 6: Confession and Commitment
Overview: Declaring Jesus as Lord Confession and commitment are at the heart of the Christian conversion experience, marking the transition from internal belief to external allegiance. While faith and repentance begin within the heart, confession brings that transformation into the public and relational sphere. It is the open declaration that…
-
Chapter 7: The Meaning and Role of Baptism
Overview: Public Identification with Christ Baptism occupies a central role in the Christian life and the communal identity of the Church. It is the divinely ordained act by which a believer publicly identifies with Jesus Christ—His death, burial, and resurrection. Far more than a religious formality or symbolic tradition, baptism…
-
Chapter 8: Indwelling and Sealing by the Holy Spirit
Overview: The Spirit in Regeneration and Sanctification The indwelling and sealing of the Holy Spirit mark the moment of transition from spiritual death to new life in Christ. At the moment of true conversion, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell personally and permanently within the believer—not symbolically, but as a…
-
Chapter 9: The Path of Discipleship
PART III: DISCIPLESHIP AND SANCTIFICATION – GROWING IN CHRIST Overview: Learning to Follow Jesus in Every Area Discipleship is the lifelong journey of following Jesus Christ in every area of life. It is the natural and necessary continuation of true conversion. While justification is a once-for-all declaration of righteousness through…
-
Chapter 10: Scripture, Prayer, and Spiritual Disciplines
Overview: Feeding the Soul and Growing in Grace The Christian life is not sustained by conversion alone; it is nourished through continual communion with God. Spiritual disciplines are God-ordained practices that enable believers to grow in grace, deepen in holiness, and mature in faith. Among these, Scripture reading and prayer…
-
Chapter 11: Christian Community and the Local Church
Overview: The Role of Fellowship, Unity, and Accountability Christianity is not meant to be a solitary experience. From the earliest days of the faith, believers have gathered together for worship, teaching, encouragement, service, and mutual care. The local church is the divinely appointed context in which the Christian life is…
-
Chapter 12: Living a Transformed Life
Overview: Fruit-Bearing and Holiness The Christian life is not static but dynamic. It involves an ongoing process of transformation into the likeness of Christ. A truly converted life produces evidence of that conversion—marked by internal renewal and outward fruitfulness. This transformation is not merely about moral improvement but about spiritual…
-
Chapter 13: Evangelism and Disciple-Making
PART IV: SERVING, STRUGGLING, AND PERSEVERING Overview: Every Believer’s Call to Share the Gospel Evangelism and disciple-making are not reserved for a spiritual elite or specialised class of ministers—they are integral to the calling of every follower of Christ. To be a disciple is to engage in the mission of…
-
Chapter 14: Ministry and Spiritual Gifts
Overview: Serving with Purpose and Passion Ministry is the natural fruit of a life surrendered to Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. The Christian calling is not only unto salvation but also unto service. Ministry is the practical outworking of God’s grace in the life of the Church and…
-
Chapter 15: Spiritual Warfare and Resisting the Enemy
Overview: The Believer’s Battle Against Sin and Satan The Christian life is not a peaceful retreat from the world, but a spiritual battleground. Every believer is engaged in a continual conflict against the forces of darkness—including Satan, sin, and the fallen systems of the world. This warfare is not physical…
-
Chapter 16: Perseverance and Finishing the Race
Overview: Faithfulness in Trials and Suffering The Christian journey is often depicted in Scripture as a race—one that demands endurance, focus, and spiritual resilience. It is not a brief sprint fuelled by emotional highs or fleeting commitments, but a long-distance race marked by hardship, suffering, and opposition. Perseverance is the…
-
Chapter 17: Death, Judgment, and Eternal Hope
Part V: The Final Destiny – Glory in Christ Overview: What Happens After We Die? The reality of death is a universal certainty, yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and often-avoided topics. From a biblical perspective, death is not the end, but a transition into eternity. For the…
-
The Christian Life Journey (Conclusion)
A Call to Faith, Growth, and Endurance (From New Birth to Eternal Glory) 1. Invitation to the Unbeliever The Christian life is not reserved for the religiously privileged or morally accomplished. It is an open call extended to every person—regardless of background, failures, or questions. At the heart of the…