How Do I Live a Christian Life?
After someone comes to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they are often curious on how they continue in their faith and their walk with Jesus. What steps should they take to grow in their walk with the Lord. In Colossians 2:6-7 it says, "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness."
Below are a few ways in which you can continue to live in Him and how through God's Word you can be built up into the Child of God that He wants you to be.
Below are a few ways in which you can continue to live in Him and how through God's Word you can be built up into the Child of God that He wants you to be.
Follow Jesus' Example at All Times
Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to "Love the Lord your God all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37) and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). When we truly realize what Christ has done for us on the cross, our love for Him should be great. But how do we show it? By loving Him and those around us in truth. Love not just those that love us, but love those that hate us and even persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This is how we follow Jesus' perfect example.
Jesus said that the greatest commandment was to "Love the Lord your God all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37) and "You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). When we truly realize what Christ has done for us on the cross, our love for Him should be great. But how do we show it? By loving Him and those around us in truth. Love not just those that love us, but love those that hate us and even persecute us (Matthew 5:44). This is how we follow Jesus' perfect example.
- Jesus says in John 14:15 - "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
- Jesus says in John 13:15 - "I have given you an example, that as I have done, so should you do."
- Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 - "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
- Paul says in I Corinthians 11:1 - "Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ."
- Paul says in Ephesians 5:1 says, "Be imitators of God as dear children."
Acknowledge that you Sin and Repent
Realize that your conversion is not simply a single act but one that signaled the beginning of a life-long commitment. Persistence and perseverance are continuing attitudes for living a life with Christ. Don't be hard on yourself if and when you fail, but confess your sin (I John 1:9); pick yourself up; trust that God has forgiven you (Psalm 103:12) and move forward, acknowledge Him and He make a way out of future temptation (Proverbs 3:6).
Realize that your conversion is not simply a single act but one that signaled the beginning of a life-long commitment. Persistence and perseverance are continuing attitudes for living a life with Christ. Don't be hard on yourself if and when you fail, but confess your sin (I John 1:9); pick yourself up; trust that God has forgiven you (Psalm 103:12) and move forward, acknowledge Him and He make a way out of future temptation (Proverbs 3:6).
- Romans 3:23 - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God"
- I John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- Romans 8:1-4 -"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
- James 1:12-14 - "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust.
- Psalm 103:12 - "As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us."
- Proverbs 3:6 - "In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight."
Read and Do what the Bible says
When it comes to determining how we are to live our lives, the Bible is our ultimate road map. It is the Word of God and we are to obey it. It is one of the ways that we show the we love God and when we do, we abide in Him and His love and He abides in us (John 14:15, 14:23, 15:10).
When it comes to determining how we are to live our lives, the Bible is our ultimate road map. It is the Word of God and we are to obey it. It is one of the ways that we show the we love God and when we do, we abide in Him and His love and He abides in us (John 14:15, 14:23, 15:10).
- James 1:22 - "But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves." Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
- Matthew 4:4 - "But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’ ”
- 2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; "
- Psalm 119:11 - "Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You."
- 2 Timothy 2:15 - "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."
Allow God to Change You
As a follower of Jesus, you cannot change yourself, only God can do that through his Son. No matter how many self-help books that you read, true change only comes through your relationship with Jesus Christ. A true Christian, after conversion, will immediately notice an unavoidable change in sensitivity to his daily routine. They will begin to question their taste in movies, music, clothing, even their choice in friends. This is the beginning of a changed life.
As a follower of Jesus, you cannot change yourself, only God can do that through his Son. No matter how many self-help books that you read, true change only comes through your relationship with Jesus Christ. A true Christian, after conversion, will immediately notice an unavoidable change in sensitivity to his daily routine. They will begin to question their taste in movies, music, clothing, even their choice in friends. This is the beginning of a changed life.
- Ezekiel 36:26-27 - "Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."
- Ephesians 4:24 - "and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. "
- James 1:21 - "Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all 1that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. "
- 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come."
Understand that you will be persecuted for your beliefs
After a believer comes to know the Lord, they often begin to share their faith with their friends and loved ones. This is usually the first time a new believer faces opposition to their new found faith. In some cases, new believers even begin to doubt what has happened to them. As a new believer, it is critical to not allow others' attacks or their opposition or their hate to weaken your faith. For they have been blinded. Have courage in your convictions and keep these truths in your heart.
After a believer comes to know the Lord, they often begin to share their faith with their friends and loved ones. This is usually the first time a new believer faces opposition to their new found faith. In some cases, new believers even begin to doubt what has happened to them. As a new believer, it is critical to not allow others' attacks or their opposition or their hate to weaken your faith. For they have been blinded. Have courage in your convictions and keep these truths in your heart.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 - "Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. "
- I Corinthians 1:18 - "For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God."
- 2 Corinthians 4:4 - "...in whose case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelieving so that they might not see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God."
- Mark 13:13 - "You will be hated by all because of My name, but the one who endures to the end, he will be saved."
- John 15:18-19 - "If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you."
- James 1:2-4 - "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Set aside time for effective and meaningful prayer
Prayer is when you go to God for all your needs and concerns. You can even make intercession for people who do not pray themselves, i.e.: children, cousins, friends, enemies and family, etc. Prayer puts out trust in Him because we know He hears us.
Prayer is when you go to God for all your needs and concerns. You can even make intercession for people who do not pray themselves, i.e.: children, cousins, friends, enemies and family, etc. Prayer puts out trust in Him because we know He hears us.
- Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God."
- Ephesians 1:15-16 - Paul says "For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers"
- Romans 8:26 - "In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words;"
- Ephesians 1:16-17, 18-19, 20-21, 22-23 - Pray for yourself everyday for one year and God will open up your spirit and develop your understanding.
- Isaiah 55:6 - "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near."
- James 1:5-8 - "But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
- I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."
Make special efforts to keep fellowship with other believers
God does not want us to go through this life alone. He wants His children to love one another and have fellowship with one another. True Christian fellowship stands in dark contrast to what the world offers. It is a wonderful thing that God wants Christians to unite in church and Bible study evenings. You will find it a blessing to talk with Bible study members about the Christian life and bear each others burdens (Galatians 6:2). It is our duty as believers. When someone staggers, we help steady the load. If he is straining, we help bear the burden. And if he stumbles, we lift him up. Helping fellow believers carry the weight of their worldly troubles is one of the chief practical duties that ought to consume every Christian.
God does not want us to go through this life alone. He wants His children to love one another and have fellowship with one another. True Christian fellowship stands in dark contrast to what the world offers. It is a wonderful thing that God wants Christians to unite in church and Bible study evenings. You will find it a blessing to talk with Bible study members about the Christian life and bear each others burdens (Galatians 6:2). It is our duty as believers. When someone staggers, we help steady the load. If he is straining, we help bear the burden. And if he stumbles, we lift him up. Helping fellow believers carry the weight of their worldly troubles is one of the chief practical duties that ought to consume every Christian.
- Hebrews 10:24-25 - "and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
- Galatians 6:2 - "Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ."
Practice what you preach
Many Christian who begin their walk with Christ, will start to see things in the world as they truly are. They will also see they own shortcomings. They realize that this is a fallen, corrupt, evil, wicked, and blasphemous world. We are told to speak out against the evil in the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. However, sometimes along the way, pride can set in and we can take on a judgmental attitude against others. Jesus gives us a very good example in Matthew 7:3-5 - “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
As believers, we cannot live our lives one way, then pretend to be something else, then on top of that judge others.
Many Christian who begin their walk with Christ, will start to see things in the world as they truly are. They will also see they own shortcomings. They realize that this is a fallen, corrupt, evil, wicked, and blasphemous world. We are told to speak out against the evil in the world and share the Good News of Jesus Christ. However, sometimes along the way, pride can set in and we can take on a judgmental attitude against others. Jesus gives us a very good example in Matthew 7:3-5 - “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
As believers, we cannot live our lives one way, then pretend to be something else, then on top of that judge others.
Work and pray for others
As Christians, we are called to be the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13) and the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14). If we are not, we are of no use. These verses remind us that we are to change the world in which we live and be an influence. Part of that influence is to care for people who are in need when they ask for help. Feed the poor. Visit the lonely. Volunteering is a great place to start for a Christian who is sure or unsure of what God wants them to do. For example, you could take a shift at a soup kitchen near you, or visit people staying in a nursing home.
As Christians, we are called to be the Salt of the Earth (Matthew 5:13) and the Light of the World (Matthew 5:14). If we are not, we are of no use. These verses remind us that we are to change the world in which we live and be an influence. Part of that influence is to care for people who are in need when they ask for help. Feed the poor. Visit the lonely. Volunteering is a great place to start for a Christian who is sure or unsure of what God wants them to do. For example, you could take a shift at a soup kitchen near you, or visit people staying in a nursing home.
- James 2:15-16 - "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself."
- James 1:27 - "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world."
Openly Share Your Faith and The Good News
Remember, living the Christian life through your actions will show others that God is working in your life. Review and study some of our other Witnessing Tools: The Good News, The Romans Road to Salvation.
Remember, living the Christian life through your actions will show others that God is working in your life. Review and study some of our other Witnessing Tools: The Good News, The Romans Road to Salvation.
You are at war, put on the Full Armor of God
For many new believers, it usually take a while for them to figure out that they are in a spiritual war. Little did they know, there was a war for their soul prior to their conversion, and now that same war if what they need to battle day to day.
For many new believers, it usually take a while for them to figure out that they are in a spiritual war. Little did they know, there was a war for their soul prior to their conversion, and now that same war if what they need to battle day to day.
- I Peter 5:8 - "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour."
- Ephesians 2:1-8 - "And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)"
- Ephesians 6:10–18 defines the Armor of God - "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,
