RELIGIOUS LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN
Our religious life as Christians means that Christ is the centre of our faith. Our way of life and faith are closely connected, so we must not depart from the faith or go against God’s teachings.
Phil. 1:27 Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel,
A Christian must carefully examine his faith, put off the old man and be renewed in the spirit of his mind, and put on the new man to be worthy of the gospel of Christ.
So, what is the life of a religious Christian?
1. A Faithful Life
The most important thing for a Christian is to have faith in God, which is the main factor that distinguishes a Christian from a gentile. When one has faith, one’s life will be meaningful and have a purpose. Because of our faith, we know that we are strangers and pilgrims on earth, and we desire a better place, that is heaven.
Heb. 11:13-16 13These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.
Christians come to the house of the Heavenly Father to enjoy the eternal blessings due to their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
If one is without faith, one will be lost in life, like a ship that is lost and drifting in the great ocean; surely, he would panic not knowing where he is. People of the world are like the living dead; they live in drunkenness and have a wasted life, for they say, “…Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!”. (1Cor. 15:32LP). It is a pity indeed.
1Cor. 15:32 If, in the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantage is it to me? If the dead do not rise, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!"
We will not live such a life if we have faith; God is indeed faithful. Even when our parents who love us most may still forsake us, the Lord God will never forsake us.
Ps. 27:10 When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me.
Isa. 49:15 "Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
Abraham set the best example by living a faithful life. God answered his prayer and did not let him down.
Heb. 11:8-12 8By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude--innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.
David is another good example. He trusted God and endured King Saul and Nabal. He eventually became a king as ‘the Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart’.
1Sam. 13:14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you."
2. A Grateful Life
A Christian should not only give thanks with the fruit of his lips but also lets his gratefulness be demonstrated in his daily life.
Heb. 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
We should neither fret when we see evil ones in power and prosper or live great lives nor blame others when encountering unexpected adversity.
Ps. 37:1 Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
In the blink of an eye, Job lost all his children and possessions, and his house was reduced to rubble. He did not murmur but remained calm, kept his faith, and remained steadfast in the Word. He continued praising God and was commendable indeed.
Job 1:21-22 21And he said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." 22In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.
Job 2:8-10 8And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes. 9Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" 10But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips.
Secondly, we must be contented with everything. A person who is discontented does not exhibit gratitude.
Phil. 4:11-12 11Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: 12I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
In many ways, Apostle Paul worked hard for the Lord more than other apostles; he was in labour, in stripes, in hunger, in prisons, was persecuted, and almost lost his own life (2Cor. 11:23-25). Even then, he said, “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” (2Cor. 6:10). This is how one exhibits gratitude in one’s daily life.
If one lives without gratitude, one will not live a peaceful life and may also forsake the truth. Saul was a good example. He was troubled and jealous of David’s bravery, fighting skills, and wisdom. He was also discontented with David and feared that David would take over his throne. Since then, the distressing spirit came upon Saul; he became restless all day long. Eventually, he was abandoned by God and died tragically on the battlefield.
Therefore, we must get rid of jealousy and prejudice to live a life of gratitude and contentment.
3. A Victorious Life
Lastly, we should talk about a victorious life. This does not refer to our physical life in terms of eating, living, or dressing well and being better off than anyone else in the world; instead, it relates to our spiritual life. Apostle Paul tells us that there are two laws in us, good and evil, and these two are constantly warring against each other. Unfortunately, men do what they will not to do, often succumbing to evil. A life that is lacking in spiritual nurture is indeed a lost cause.
To be victorious, we must overcome evil with good and do the good things that our heart desires. Therefore, what exactly must we do to overcome evil and be victorious?
Strictly speaking, we must reject anything that does not follow the Lord’s teachings. Plainly, there are three things that we must overcome: fame, riches, and lust. Since ancient times, it is pitiful that so many people succumbed to these powerful temptations, causing their downfalls and defeats, e.g. King Saul, King Solomon, Samson, Judah, etc., and their endings were pitiful indeed.
We live in a corrupt world; therefore, spiritual brethren must be diligent and take heed; we must put to death the deeds of the body by the Spirit.
Rom. 8:13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Col. 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
Apart from this, we must make sure to overcome evil with good in all things so that we can completely curb the lusts of the flesh and live a holy and victorious life.
Rom. 12:17-21 17Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. 20Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Faith enables one to set the right purpose in life; gratitude makes one live a contented and happy life, and victory allows one to live a holy and complete life. These three virtues are equally important and indispensable. If we can practise these three virtues in our lives, we will be worthy of the gospel of Christ.
(The Holy Spirit Times – 20.07.1965)
ACTS-2024-0910-Eng