Information technology people have a saying, “Garbage in – Garbage out”. That means you can’t expect good results from bad input. The inverse is also true. Good in – Good out. This principle holds true in the Christian life as well.
The “remind you” ministry of the Holy Spirit is one I find fascinating. Like a spiritual Google search, the Holy Spirit brings to mind truth we’ve read or memorized from scripture and actually helps interpret those truths for our use in real life circumstances. But, for that to work we first have to download biblical truth into our minds and hearts.
Therefore, I’ve chosen twelve verses or passages of scripture I’d recommend every Christian memorize or at the very least, meditate on deeply and often. I’ve also selected some of the most important historical creeds and prayers every Christian ought to know and teach to their children. In some cases, I’ve noted why I selected these verses.
At the end of this blog, I’ll be asking you to weigh in with other verses you believe every Christian should know as well. But, here are mine!
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1
Note: I chose the Genesis passage because if we don’t believe there is a God who is the sovereign creator of everything, then the Bible is wrong first shot out of the box, and the rest of scripture is just helpful information.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12-13
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
II Corinthians 5:17
Note: I selected the preceding verses for their value in understanding and sharing the salvational message of Christ with others. If you’ve often found yourself tongue-tied when presenting the gospel to others, you’ll want these verses to become familiar to you.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” II Timothy 3:16
Note: Without confidence in the trustworthiness of scripture, our faith melts into opinions.
Note: The following verses were chosen because they get right to the heart of “how then shall we live”.
“He answered, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26
Note: The following verse is one I reflect on often. It’s a great warning for us and our children.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the father is not in him. For everything in the world – the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does – comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” I John 2:15-17
The Ten Commandments
And God spoke all these words, saying:
One: You shall have no other gods before Me.
Two: You shall not make for yourself any idols.
Three: You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Four: Keep the Sabbath holy.
Five: Honor your father and your mother.
Six: Do not murder.
Seven: Do not commit adultery.
Eight: Do not steal.
Nine: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor (lie).
Ten: Do not covet anything, anyone else has.
Apostles Creed (The Apostles didn’t write this creed, but it is one of the earliest summaries of some of the most important teachings of Christianity.)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried;
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, where he sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from there he will judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit; the holy catholic church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, in heaven, Hallowed be your Name. Your Kingdom come. Your will be done on earth, As it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Note: If you have children or grandchildren, think about helping them memorize some of these verses or creeds, over a year period of time. Show them where they’re found in scripture, so it is reinforced that they come from God himself. Say them out loud when driving on a trip. Repeat them together after dinner or before they go to bed.
“Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deut. 11:19
Question: Do you have other verses you believe are more important? (And, please let us know why.)
Following Jesus in Real Life
Comments