The duties of young believers are in view, today, along with more on apostolic succession. The “Yahoo! Answers” writer who uses the ID “Miguel Carcamo” (Level 1 with 95 points, a member since July 22, 2013) posted the following:
Am I doing enough for jesus?
i am 16 yrs old I have gave my life to jesus and its been amazing, but as im learning more i ask myself if i am doing enough for jesus, Sometimes i feel guilty because i feel like i am not doing enough. I pray in the morning before anything, then after school i pray and give thanks, I later read 1 or 2 chapters of my bible. then pray before bed. please let me know if i should do more or add something.
Thank you .
~ Miguel
THE BATTLE AXE: Succession (02/05/2014)—(4.) The apostles were indispensable to the early church, not merely as those who had known Jesus personally, and had been taught directly by the Lord; not merely as those endowed with gifts from the holy Spirit to cast out unclean spirits, to heal, and perform miracles; nor merely as those who were free to travel as itinerant preachers baptizing and building new congregations, and expanding the new church. The apostles all could authenticate the falling of the Holy Spirit, discern the full Gospel and doctrine from GOD; and identify genuine experiences of conversion, and new birth. (5.) Succession permits mankind to transcend death, and continue covenant through agents, heirs, representatives, and spokespersons (prophets). Even so, in Scripture, sin is said to be the sting (or barb) of death. Saying that another way: It is sin that makes death an appendage (like ones hand or foot) that we accept and are comfortable with as part of our own being, rather than something foreign and strange. Through sin, death becomes an aspect of ones full being that is inescapable. Once sin enters and has penetrated a created being or living creature, death cannot be retracted or smoothly withdrawn. Death becomes anchored and cannot be removed without damage, and rupture to sin’s living host. Thus, the focus of apostolic succession is not merely that of attaining earthly authority, property, prosperity and wealth. Believers must continue in the priesthood of Jesus Christ, and themselves demonstrate faith, obedience, purity, sacrifice, suffering, wisdom, wrath against sin, and the proper acceptance and denial of death. (See Acts 15: 1-35, Acts 8: 1-25 and 1st Corinthians 15: 50-57, KJV.)
THE GOLDEN ARROW: These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. (1st Timothy 4: 11-16, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Unprofitable Servants? (01/19/2014); Going It Alone? (12/16/2013); On Being Good Stewards (12/17/2013); Kicked Out By Parents? (11/27/2013); Before Getting Baptized? (11/28/2013); On Being Merciful (09/01/2013); A Divine Trickster? (09/02/2013); Numberless (08/28/2013); Lost Without GOD? 06/26/2013); When Does Judgment Begin? (06/27/2013); Unexceptional Beginnings (11/22/2012); Believing Everything? (11/23/2012); Childlike Faith (10/18/2012); Why Did The Judges Fight? (10/19/2012)
Miguel, here are some points to consider about life as a Christian believer that you may find helpful in avoiding spiritual confusion:
(1.) In Christ, the primary duty and responsibility for all young people is that they grow, and learn spiritually while encountering the same challenges and life experiences as all others upon the face of the earth. Only while we are young, can our parents endure the hard work they must do to provide the materials, opportunities, and supports we need to continue in school, and begin our work careers. Later, we do not have the freedom, and luxury to focus and learn in the same ways. The many demands of our own jobs, our own developing relationships (such as dating, courtship, marriage, parenting), our own finances, our own health, often cut off our chances to further our own formal education and training.
(2.) What’s “different” as the new life of a born-again believer is not their physical body, or the world around them as an environment for human existence. Through water baptism, believers die to sin, and are reborn having divine DNA, so to speak. What is “new” is their outlook on life, their awareness of possibilities established by GOD, their ability to recognize the active presence of GOD, and their willingness to practice and study the things given by GOD for salvation.
There is far more to be said, properly shared, and spiritually understood. (For example, (3.) Throughout their lives, many believers feel they are not giving enough financially to the cause of GOD, yet, they cannot beat GOD giving, so to speak. Despite “thank you” being a simple phrase (like “I love you”) believers often feel great pressure not to repeat the words so much that they lose all meaning; and many are uncomfortable, because they feel they are not saying “thank you” enough to GOD, and are not doing and saying the things that declare “I love you” enough. As a result many become uncertain and dissatisfied that their sins are totally erased. Believers are to trust the word and not their own works. They are to hear and rely upon the declaration of GOD in Jesus Christ, “I love you” (see John 3: 16, KJV).) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (2nd Timothy 2: 15-16, KJV)
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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