Living The Christian Life, Part 2

December 21, 2021 Cyndi

We can be Christians for a very long time and still ponder about what Christian living is. That’s okay. It shows we long to live for Christ. Basically, we live the Christian life with our hearts and attitudes. We cannot do it by ourselves, it is by grace. By keeping our hearts and minds fixed on Jesus and doing what He did, we will continue to live in God’s will and live the Christian Life (see Part 1 of Living the Christian Life).

Given that living the Christian Life is by grace, is there nothing we can do by ourselves? Well, we can.

Our role in living the Christian life

God equipped us with a free will and gave us a consciousness. We can use our free will to dedicate our lives to God and to live for Him. Our consciousness (guided by the Holy Spirit) will maneuver us through each day and each decision to take.

How do we practically live the Christian Life? There are three key factors at play.

1) Imitate God

As Christians, all we must do is ‘copy’ Jesus: do what He does. God wants us to be like children in receiving His Kingdom. One of the striking things children do to learn is copying the behavior of their parents. Children are naturally copy-cats. We, as God’s children, should do the same. Copying Jesus is the only way to ensure Christian living, because He is our living example.

By copying Jesus, we must make sure we walk the straight and narrow path, because Jesus didn’t make mistakes. And yes, if you are pondering about it, we can make mistakes (we are ‘just’ humans). But imagine your child is trying to copy you and does a ‘lousy’ job of doing what you did. Will you tell him he did wrong and punish him and tell him he is unworthy? Or would you encourage him and show him how to do it next time? Will you support him because you love him and are patiently waiting for the day he can do it? Well, that is how God is to us. He loves us, cherishes us, and encourages us. All He wants from us in return is to imitate Him.

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.” Ephesians 5:1 (NLT).

2) Be loving

The second thing God wants us to do is to be loving. Loving to ourselves, our family, our neighbors, our Christian brothers and sisters, our co-workers, our caregivers, our suppliers, etc. He even wants us to love our enemies. Again, this is in line with copying Jesus. He is love, and He first loved us. We, in return, should reciprocate that to our fellow humans.

Christ’s love is a sacrificial love. He expects the same from us, simply because He did it first.

“This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:12 (NLT).

“Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:2 (NLT).

3) Bear fruit

God examines our hearts and tests our minds: this relates to our intentions and motives. But He doesn’t leave it at that, even if our motives are right. He also checks the product of it: that is our actions. He checks the fruit of our doings: the manifestation of us being Christians. And exactly that is what living the Christian life is about.

“I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:10 (NKJV).

We will bear fruit automatically when we stay in Christ. We cannot bear fruit by ourselves; God makes that clear in His Word. But when we stay in Christ (the vine), we (the branches) will bear fruit, godly fruit.

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NKJV).

It is these fruits that differentiate us from non-Christians. In our fruits, the world can see we are Christians.

“Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:20 (NKJV).

By being imitators of Christ, loving everyone (including ourselves), and bearing fruit, we lay the basis for living the Christian life. With this heart-attitude, we can then work at the practical things: the fruits itself. There are things we ought to do and there are things we should not do.

Things to do

Christian Living is bearing fruit, righteous fruit. Let us have a look at the fruits the bible speaks about. What does God expect us to do?

Manifest the fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit is the main fruit we should bring forth as Christians. Bearing the fruit of the Spirit is a sign of Christian living. It is vital to note that we cannot do it by ourselves and that we are not the one bearing the fruit. It is the Holy Spirit in us producing His fruit in us. Again, this means we should be rooted in Christ to manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT).

Be joyful

A true mark of Christian living is joyfulness. As Christians, we can be joyful, no matter our situation. Being joyful does not depend on our circumstances, it depends on our God. Even when we are in trouble, we can deliberately choose to be joyful because we know our God lives, reigns, and is victorious.

“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NLT).

Be considerate to others

As Christians, we ought to think of others more than of ourselves. In these days, the emphasis is on self-promotion and self-care. In our modern society, you are deemed to be strong when you are selfish and weak when you think of others first. Well, in God’s Kingdom, it is the opposite. He expects us to think of others instead of being self-focused. And honestly, it takes more strength and courage to think of others than it takes to take care of yourself.

“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” Philippians 4:5 (NLT).

Don’t worry

Worry is a sign of worldly living. People can have everything this society deems valuable (money, success, friends, possessions, etc.), but still worry. Worrying is not linked to not having earthly possessions, it is linked to not having heavenly possessions. As Christians, we know we have a Father who takes care of us. Based on that knowledge, we trust Him to take care of us. And that is a major sign of Christian living.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT).

Our Words

The words we speak matter; the words about ourselves and about others. In each case, our words should show forth Christ. Our words are extremely powerful, whether or not we are aware of it.

“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 (NLT).

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive, so that you will have the right response for everyone.” Colossians 4:6 (NLT).

“Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Ephesians 4: 29 (NLT).

“speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord.” Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV).

Be humble

A true mark of Christian living is humbleness. Humility is being God fearing, trusting God in everything, and completely relying on Him. Humility recognizes God’s magnificent power and knows that we need Him in everything. When we show humility in our relationships, this does not mean we are weak. No, it rather means the opposite. It means that we are aware of our strength, but do not use (or abuse) it on others. Humility is not an expression of inferiority and powerlessness; it is power under control.

“So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” 1 Peter 5:6 (NLT).

The things we think about

Christian living even takes place in our minds: the things we think about. No one will ever see our thoughts, yet God does. Our thoughts matter to Him. He wants us to think about godly things.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT).

Things not to do

As much as living the Christian life is about the things we do (our fruits), it is also about the things we should not do. As Christians, there are certain things we do not do, simply because Jesus didn’t do them. Again, this results from imitating Christ in everything we do.

Let us have a look at the things we should not do.

Works of the flesh

The major distinction between Christian living and worldly living is the works of the flesh. As Christians, we simply shouldn’t engage in any of these.

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21 (NKJV).

“Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” Ephesians 5:3 (NLT).

Foolish talking

Again, our words matter. God provides directions about the topics we should talk about and the things we should not talk about, and about the words we use.

“Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.” Ephesians 5:4 (NLT).

“Don’t use foul or abusive language.” Ephesians 4: 29 (NLT).

Results of living the Christian Life

Even though we live the Christian Life for God and not for ourselves, He is not an indifferent Father. He rewards our obedience. The rewards of Christian living are manifold.

“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” Colossians 3:23-24 (NLT).

Peace

“Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7 (NLT).

Crown of righteousness

“And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8 (NLT).

Our Heart-desires

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.” Psalms 37:4 (NLT).

Riches, honor, long-life

“True humility and fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor, and long life.” Proverbs 22:4 (NLT).

Take-away

We cannot live the Christian life by ourselves. Only by God’s grace and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit can we live as imitators of Christ. And exactly that is what living the Christian life is: imitating Christ.

The good news is that by manifesting Christ in the way we live, we attract unbelievers to come closer to God. If we should live the same way as unbelievers, what would entice them to give their lives to God? If there is no difference, then why not stay on the other side?

Thus, our Christian life becomes pleasing in God’s eyes, benefitting for ourselves and others, and a way of soul-winning for the Kingdom of God.

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