What’s the point of living a Christian lifestyle? Change. Transformation. Choosing to make Jesus Christ the Lord of our life changes our lifestyle dramatically. Everything changes... friendships, activities, and most importantly our attitudes towards literally every aspect of life.
Coming to know Jesus, trusting his purpose for our lives, helps us formulate the reasons for the way we live our Christian lives. There are three sustaining realities we embrace on our journey of faith as we grow in Christ...
We remain connected to God through Jesus Christ (John 15:4–8). A life that’s cut off from God withers and dies -- physically as well as spiritually. God desires to reproduce His Son’s life through our commitment, passion and fruitfulness.
We remain faithful through adversity and we resist false doctrine (2 Timothy 3:12–17). The apostle Paul expected situations to become worse as worldly pressures increased. Our knowledge of the Scriptures arm us against any deceivers or deceptive ideals.
We present the Good News to a lost world (Mark 16:15-16; 1 Timothy 6:12) Like an athlete or soldier, we present our best efforts to further our faith. Our transformed lives compel us to share the Gospel’s impact not just for our “today,” but for all eternity.
Christian Lifestyle is not about Rules
Are there specific guidelines that constitute a Christian lifestyle? Change means a different direction, right? So without question, what we desire to do coupled with our choices defines the sort of Christian lifestyle we will live. You stop being that “old” person, you stop pursing sinful and carnal things and surrender to God, allowing him to work out a new you in you. Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do . . .” (Romans 12:2).
A Christian lifestyle should never become a list of rules. We must take our attention off man-made rules and focus on the Man, the Cross and His free gift of Salvation. All that’s really required is a genuine love for Jesus. That said, most of us still feel more secure when we know the boundaries, so to simplify a guide for Christian living we might want to preface everything in our lives with these questions... “What did Jesus do?” What would Jesus do?”
• Communicated continually with God (Matthew 11:25-26; Mark 6:46, 14:32)
• Acknowledged the significance of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16-17, 26)
• Obeyed the will of His Heavenly Father (Luke 22:42; John 6:38-39)
• Resisted temptation by steadfastness to the Word of God (Luke 4:1-13)
• Reached out to those considered hopeless and sinners (Mark 2:15-16; Luke 19:5-9)
• Served others, humbling Himself before His Heavenly Father (John 13:3-5, 12-15)
• Persevered in faith and love (John 4:34, John 9:4; John 17:23)
Christian Lifestyle – Inside and Outside
What are the outward and inward evidence of a Christian lifestyle? You can present an outward appearance of holiness daily and still serve as a poor Christian witness (Matthew 23:27-28). To live as a Christian requires having the character of Christ. A transformation must occur, as a result of the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (Galatians 5:24-25). You can’t fake a walk with Christ.
When we truly practice a Christian lifestyle, the inward evidence becomes obvious. God’s glory and power pours out of us and touches others in an uplifting, encouraging positive way. Our faith in the midst of personal difficulties and the turmoil of this world flows from a heart given to a loving Father. Every breath carries words of compassion and affirmation to a hurting world.
Those who live a genuine Christian lifestyle live a peaceful and confident life on the inside and the outside. That doesn’t mean you won’t have challenges and heartache... you probably will. It means nothing of this world can knock you off your straight and narrow course, as you walk with God to that time and place where all things are made new... for you!
“This High Priest [Jesus Christ] of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
Walk with the Lord... Boldly, Courageously, Confidently.
