Christian Living

Striving to successfully live the Christian Life is a vitally important topic for the Christian today. There is an inevitable change within a believer in Christ that causes them to live a life that is different than what they had lived before. In many places in Scripture, we are told that we have a new heart and a new life. And, we are different than those who do not know the Lord around us.

Just as in Babylon, Daniel acted "differently" than the Babylonians around him (click here to see one instance of this), so we Christians today will inevitably stand out as we live our lives in this world.

Philippians 2:13-15 says, "For, it is God which works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings; that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

This is our calling and the manifestation of our sanctification. Jesus calls us to be lights in the world; as well as salt of the earth (standing against -- and in the way of -- decay and evil).

There are certain elements of living the Christian life that can be focused on to increase its success. Those elements, we shall examine below.

• The Holy Spirit
• Obedience
• Giving
• Worship

The Holy Spirit

It is IMPOSSIBLE to successfully live the Christian life without the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our lives. On this topic, Romans 8:9 says, "But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His."

The Holy Spirit's enabling presence and ongoing work provide the power in a Christian's life to overcome sin and live in a way that is pleasing to God. Without that power, we are taken captive by sin at any time.

We receive the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ. And, it is Jesus who tells us this (found in John, Chapter 8): "Whosoever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house forever. But, the Son abides forever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed."

The freedom that Jesus mentions is the FREEDOM NOT TO SIN. And, it is impossible to have this freedom without the Holy Spirit.

For a person that suspects that they are a child of God (at some point they have committed their lives to the Lord Jesus Christ), by definition of the term "child of God", they already have the Holy Spirit at work in them. However, they may still have some area in life that keeps them from giving God all of their lives as Jesus commands his disciples to do. For those of us in that position (wanting to have this power over sin in some situation in their life), Jesus proclaims this Good News: "And, I say to you: Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. For, everyone that asks receives; and he that seeks finds; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? Or, if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or, if he shall asks an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?" - Luke, Chapter 11

Yet, if you are not sure if you know the Lord's adoption, please contact us and we will be pleased to minister to you in this area.

Obedience

It can be a great discovery in a Christian's Life to come to the realization of the joy of obedience to God. Many people have stated that they truly found their joy in God when it was revealed to them that there is great liberation in obeying God. Yes, this sounds like one cancels the other out (obeying God and having joy), but God's own Word tells a different tale to those who would hear it: "I delight to do thy will, O my God. Yes, thy law is within my heart." - Psalms 40:8

There can be no dispute that one of the greatest gifts that God gives His children is the gift of obedience. Additionally, they can be no greater mark of a child of God than a clear indication that this person cares for nothing more in this world than to always be in obedience to God. Even greater, is to have that obedience, and to do those things that God commands, out of the love that one feels for God.

Look at the verses below. They speak for themselves:

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord', and not do what I say?" - Luke 6:46 "And Samuel said, 'Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice; and to hearken than the fat of rams.' " - 1 Samuel 15:22 "Though He were a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey Him." - Hebrews 5:8-9, speaking of Jesus and who He offers salvation to "And, we are His witnesses of these things; and, so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God has given to them that obey Him." - Acts 5:32

There are many, many more places in God's Word where this "above all" principal of obedience to God can be seen. In fact, the very reason that sin exists in the world today, as well as such suffering, is due to one original act -- as well as continuing acts -- of disobedience.

Know that there is much more that could be said on the topic of Godly Obedience in the Christian walk. But, there can be no dispute of its requirement. But, to those that know God, it can be more easily explained that they hold obedience to Him simply because they love Him. And, a child of God would rather die than to knowingly disobey -- and disappoint -- their loving Father.

If this level of conviction toward obedience has not held you away from continuing sin, please contact us. It would be our pleasure if the Lord would use us to strengthen you in your walk with Him.

Giving

Many people do not realize that the word, "love", as so often seen in the Bible, is a word that is measured -- and made manifest -- by the act of giving. The famous verse, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life", is not only a verse that tells us that God loved the world -- but, moreso, it is a verse that tells us HOW He loved the world, and the value of the Gift that He gave tells us HOW MUCH. Not only did God give the life of His Son to save us, but, He continues to give to everyone this day:

Jesus said, "Give to him that asks you; and, from him that would borrow from you do not turn away. You have heard that it hath been said, 'You shall love your neighbour, and hate your enemy'. But, I say to you: Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; so that you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven. For, He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust." - Matthew 5:42-45

As children of God, we are compelled to give to those around us; just as we are compelled to love those around us. We are compelled to love those whom God, our Father, loves. We see from what Jesus said that God sends sustenance to everyone that lives. And, we should ask ourselves, "Who am I, not to love anyone that my Master loves?"

And, how do you know if you love others? By what you are willing to give to them. How do they measure your love for them? By the value -- TO YOU -- of what you give to them.

...."And, Jesus sat near the treasury, and saw how the people cast money into the treasury. And, many that were rich cast in much. And, there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two pennies. And, He called to Him His disciples, and said to them, 'Truly I say to you that this poor widow has cast more in than all them which have cast into the treasury: Because, all of them cast in out of their abundance; but out of her want has she cast in all that she had, even all her living.' " - Mark 12:41-44

A Christian is keenly aware of these things: everything that we have is God's, and whatever we have, we can never keep. Therefore, a Christian is noted by frequent giving. And, a Christian is not only noted for giving to friends and family; but, by giving to whoever God gives to.

A Christian's giving can be as tangible as money, or as intangible as time or effort. As tangible as clothes on someone's back, and as intangible and crying with someone who is hurting. As tangible as food for a hungry stranger, and as intangible as a faithful word of encouragement. We give as Jesus gave. We are no different than our Master.

But, willingness is the mark; and the amount is the measure.

As well, giving is not a requirement; nor even a duty. For a Christian -- a person who is walking in the Grace of God -- giving to others is a gift and joy to oneself.

Worship

Let us begin this topic with most simple of principals: To know God is to worship Him. Is not your CREATOR, your SUSTAINER in this life -- as well as He who will GIVE YOU ETERNAL LIFE IN HIS GLORY -- worthy of your appreciatory praise? No doubt He is simply because He does these things for you. But, even more fitting, He is worthy of your highest appreciation because of Who this is that looks down upon you, knows you, and Gracefully cares for you so.

If anything is a plain principal for a Christian, it is the fact that -- in some way -- they will praise and worship God. We do know that all of creation will one day worship God. But, a mark of a Christian is their willing worship of God in this day. With hands; with feet; with tongue; or, by sweat of the brow, a Christian who knows and loves God will praise Him.

God delights in praise of all manner; but, this one element must be present: a sincere heart, inclined toward the glory of God. Whether it be in song or speech, or even a stilled tongue, the heart lifted up to God in praise has the ear of God inclined toward it.

All of these elements of Christian living are tools (as we shall see below), but, the praise of God -- the worshipping of God in our hearts -- is one elements of the Christian walk that is not only necessary but WILL come to pass; not because of our goodness and merit toward God will this occur in the hearts of His children; but, because Who it is that is the Object of that Worship.

These elements of the Christian Life that we've discussed are by no means the end of what good God will bring forth in the lives of His Children. From the outside, many of these things may seem strange -- even to people of other religions, or to those who may think themselves religious today. The nature and extent to which God calls those who Truly worship Him is not like the ways of this world.

But, as was mentioned before, they are tools in our hands. Not only are they right, but, they build us up in faith. And, the more that we are filled with the Spirit, walking in obedience, giving in love, and worshipping with a clean heart, the more and more we will bear Godly fruit in righteousness. As we yield to these things, we will be more like God.

As tools, these items assist us in our walks by their ability to strengthen us in low times. When we are hurting, giving to someone else that is in need will do nothing but strengthen us in God as we join Him in doing what He continues to do for us (even as we may suffer, God still loves us and comforts us). When we are tempted to disobey God in some manner, worshipfully recalling to mind His majesty and Glorious love toward us will no doubt bring about increased love of ours toward Him (including that area that we were about to keep from Him in disobedience).

Some may think them strange, but the place of the Holy Spirit, the call to obedience, the giving -- not out of obligation but in love -- and the new-life-felt, heart-changing worship of God are not only hallmarks of Christianity, but are elements that sustain Christians in the midst of trial and persecution.

We recognize these elements, and rejoice in them. We rejoice in worship, we find joy in the Spirit of God, and we cheerfully give of ourselves in loving obedience to the work of our Father God.

If, in any way, you may feel that interaction with us will be a support for you as you seek the Lord, please contact us. Perhaps we may even share your appreciation of these elements of the Christian Life. Or, if you have questions about how these things are done on a daily basis, we are here to assist you.

In love, we look forward to hearing from you.