PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

SYNOPSIS This interdenominational book lists out and elaborates on the five core practices, or ‘pillars’ of the Christian faith. They define how a Christian should live. A ‘Christian’ is a Christian only in ‘name’, if he or she does not practice or apply these ‘core practices’. The critical test that makes each a core practice is, it must be applied or practiced at least once.

The first is belief in Jesus, the vital step to becoming a Christian. One must believe in the Lordship of Jesus Christ, as the Son of God and the Savior of the world before one is a Christian. There are no two ways about it. Once this belief is declared in prayer - silent or spoken, the phenomenon of a new birth in the Spirit of God takes place.

The second core practice is prayer, which begins with the simultaneous step of saying a prayer to acknowledge and welcome Jesus as the Son of God, as Lord and Savior, - the first prayer that begins the Christian on a life journey of prayer. With this invitation of welcoming the Lord Jesus into your life as your Lord and Savior, the Spirit of Christ enters the believer literally. For, unless we have Christ’s Spirit in us, we do not belong to Him, and cannot bear His Name – ‘Christian’.

The third core practice is reading the Word of God, necessary as “food and nourishment” for spiritual growth. Without the knowledge of the Word of God, one lacks a life in Christ, as Jesus is the Word of God. All Christians need to have the Word of Life in us. A Christian is barely a Christian if he or she has no knowledge of the Word of God.

The fourth is “deeds of love”, for without deeds, one’s faith is dead, - “dead” because there is no evidence of love or charity. Good deeds are the central essence of the faith, as Jesus is Love. The ‘Christian’ who has never done one “deed of love” is a dead Christian, or a Christian with no life in him. The analogy is that of a scholar with a doctorate degree, but who has never worked or taught in the field of his doctorate. His qualifications have never been put to use, and therefore are as good as ‘dead’. The greatest deed or gift for anyone is to share the Good News of the Kingdom of God.

Finally, “worship” which includes praise and adoration with reverence, bowing down to the King of kings, provides the ultimate alignment, association and absolute submission to Almighty God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Surely, we need to acknowledge His Lordship over our lives by bowing down and worshipping the LORD with reverence, at least once, if not all the time. When one lives and applies each of these core practices, we will not falter but will grow to become more like Christ, towards full maturity as a Christian.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Timothy Sng, a Kuala Lumpur-based neurologist, found faith in Jesus in 1981. A lay preacher, he passionately shares the Good News. His favourite verse is John 3:17: "God sent His Son not to condemn the world, but to save it."