Intro: Too many people profess to be Christians but DON’T actually live the Christian life. Their Christianity consists mainly of going in and out of church on Sunday and special days. Friends, going to church doesn’t make you a Christian any more than going to a funeral home makes you a corpse!
Religious form & outward show is not enough! A Christian is one who loves the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. And he also loves his neighbor as he loves himself. In today’s Bible study there are four principles that will help good Christians step by step to practice what they believe.
1. Christians Should Live IN Christ (II Cor. 5:17).
The Christian’s sins have been washed by Christ’s blood and forgiven (Rev. 1:5b; Col. 1:14). Christ shares His life in Christians by cleansing and renewing them. Christ is in them and them in Christ (Col. 1:27; John 15:4). Those in Christ are God’s children. They live in Christ and are directed by God’s Holy Spirit and strengthened to face the challenges of daily life (John 16:13; 14:17). Outside of Christ we are without hope and without God in the world (Eph. 2:12).
2. Christians Should Live LIKE Christ (I Pet. 2:21).
A Christian follows Christ’s model in: thinking, speaking, and doing – for Christ is the Christian’s Master and Example (Heb. 12:2a; I Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17). He follows after Christ’s kindness, compassion, love, holiness, and sacrifice. Practicing daily prayer, Bible reading and applying what we learn as we live by faith in God helps us mature more and gradually become like the Lord Jesus Christ (II Cor. 4:11).
A Christian should be a “sample” of Christ. The nearest resemblance to Christ people can see on earth must be the Christian. Sadly, if Christianity is a brand name, it is getting so much bad publicity from among those who bear Christ’s name! Disobedient Christians do harm to themselves and bring reproach to the cause of Christ (II Tim. 2:19b).
3. Christians Should Live FOR Christ (II Cor. 12:10).
A good soldier lives and sometimes dies for his country. He will endure hardships. He will forget personal comforts just to protect his nation and countrymen. One of the pictures of the Christian is that of a soldier of Christ (II Tim. 2:3-4).
As a good soldier of Christ, a Christian must be ready to serve, suffer, and sacrifice. Christ gave His life for us. He died for us so that we should no longer serve Satan and sin (Rom. 6:6; I Pet. 4:2). We should live for Christ for He paid a great price for our freedom and redemption from the penalty and power of sin (Gal. 5:24; I Cor. 6:20).
One of the worst states in life is to be called a Christian in name and not live for Christ! As the old saying goes...”Only one life, it will soon be past, only what is done FOR Christ will last!” Christian friend, are you laboring for the Master with whom you will one day give an account of your life?
4. Christians Should Live WITH Christ (I Thess. 4:17).
Christians are blessed to live with the indwelling Christ on earth for He has promised to be with them always (Heb. 13:5). Christians are even more blessed to have Christ’s promise for His coming where He will take them where He is (John 14:2-3). In light of Bible prophecies being fulfilled right before our eyes, it won’t be long now. Christ is coming soon and Christians shall live forever with Him in glory – where there is no sorrow, suffering, sin, shame, and death!
Should death precede the glorious appearing of Christ, we still have assurance that our soul shall be present with the Lord after our physical death (II Cor. 5:8; Phil. 1:21).
Conclusion: My friends, the Bible makes it so clear that a real Christian is one who should live: IN Christ, LIKE Christ, FOR Christ, and then, WITH Christ! Friend, according to what we have briefly studied from the scriptures, are you a biblical Christian? Can you honestly say that you are living to serve and please the Lord? Do you have a 100% assurance that, if you were to die tomorrow, you will be with the Lord?
