The Christian Life
James 4:13-15 “Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what [shall be] on the morrow. For what [is] your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye [ought] to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.”
Mark 8:34-35 “Andwhenhehadcalledthepeople[untohim]with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.”
As the years roll by we all tend to increasingly have questions about life. As Christians we know the general answers to the age-old questions, “Who am I?’ Where did I come from?” “Why am I here?” “Where am I going?” At least we are not prone to say as so many do as they grow older, “Is this all there is?” We know our future is eternally assured in Christ Jesus. It is said that an old catechism stated the underlying purpose of life and eternity something like this, “Man’s chief end is to know God and glorify Him forever.” But sometimes even those with such sure foundations and noble intent seem to forget what life is all about. I ran across an article recently that sadly seems to confirm this tendency:
“In 1636 a group of Puritans founded Harvard University. Its motto was Christo et Ecclesiae, which means, ‘For Christ and the Church.’ One of the school’s guiding principles was this, ‘Everyone shall consider the main end of life and studies, to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life’ (John 17:3) This prestigious center of learning and culture has long since abandoned its original spiritual intent. Even many Havard Divinity School faculty members now regard its Christ-centered goal as narrow-minded and outdated. If fact, not long ago a group of Havard students staged a mock funeral procession through the Divinity School They carried a coffin and proclaimed, ‘Our God, the Father, is dead.’ These students were as far from truth as east is from west. The everlasting Father, who has created all life, including those who mock Him, is as immune to death as He is to sin. Three hundred and sixty years after the establishment of Havard, the chief purpose of life is still and always will be, in the words of those colonial Puritans, ‘to know God and Jesus Christ, which is eternal life.’ Let us make that the main goal of our life.” - Vernon Grounds
Not too long ago we saw our public television network, paid for with our tax dollars, screen a blasphemous documentary attacking the validity of the Bible and the deity of Jesus Christ. One of the chief so-called scholars involved was the President of that same divinity school. Even though we who know Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord reject all such heresy out of hand, life for the Christian still entails a constant scriptural and practical evaluation and re-evaluation of the question, “Why am I here.”
We all accept the great positive assertions about life made by Paul and other Biblical writers as being true and patently obvious. He said, “For to me to live [is] Christ, and to die [is] gain.” (Phil. 1:21) And “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” (Gal. 2:20)
We also understand and accept our Saviour’s evaluation of the importance of the Christian life in time and eternity. He urges His followers to consider the concept that each one has a life to live for Him. Evidently the quality and quantity of that life will become evident at His Judgment Seat. He tells us that those who selfishly attempt to save their lives by living for themselves will ultimately lose it all when they stand before Him. Conversely, He informs us that those who selflishly lose themselves in His will and live their life for Him and His causes, will be gloriously vindicated and their life will shine as gold, silver and precious stone.
We can then logically conclude that this matter of scripturally defining and understanding the Christian life is all important. God inspired the writers of His Word to use a number of figures and metaphors to describe and convey to us in graphic and easily grasped images that place in the simplest terms just what life should be for the Christian. They are so commonly known and used by Christians, that we may tend to ignore or overlook the simple and down to earth lessons they hold for us. Let us look at, “What Is The Christian Life?”
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A BATTLE TO BE FOUGHT. The militant nature of the Christian life is emphasized in many simple, but profound, passages. Paul trumpets this truth to those in the church at Ephesus when he tells them they are engaged in a spiritual warfare of the highest order. “Finally, my brethren, bestrongintheLord,andinthepowerofhismight. Putonthe whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high[places].
WhereforetakeuntoyouthewholearmourofGod, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints..” (Eph. 6:10-17)
In this passage Paul warns of our powerful adversary and then goes on to describe the spiritual armour God has provided for all who will seriously do battle with this deadly enemy. The girdle of truth, breastplate of righteousness, gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit are easily identified as the essential spiritual armament of the Christian soldier as he fights the battle of life.
Here God is stating the obvious. The Christian life is a great battle. In fact, we are already at war. Satan declared war upon the saints and against the souls of men in ages past. He is a powerful and dread enemy. He vengefully walks the face of the earth seeing whom he may devour. He is called the adversary, the accuser of the brethren and the wicked one. On and on the Bible warns of his awesome power. The Christian does not have to be long involved in the life and death struggle of good against evil until he knows for sure Satan is powerful. As someone said long ago, “Evil is not something, it is someone.” Someone has given this paraphrase of verse twelve that seems to sum it all up, “For our wrestling match is not with persons or bodies, but against rulership, and the realms of authority, against the world dominators of the present darkness, against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heaven lies.”
The Christian who becomes militantly involved in this battle of life soon realizes that it is a personal confrontation. A hand to hand combat of the dirtiest sort that is engaged in person to personandeyeballtoeyeball. Satanisnotconfinedtohellor Hades, nor is he residing solely on the surface of the earth. He evidently has a headquarters in the heavenlies. It seems he rules over bands of rebellious angels and controls myriads of demonic spirits. There are also indications that he has sub- rulers in delegated areas of authority on earth. He rules over empires, kingdoms, nations, states, organizations and communities. His primary universal weapon is the promotion of evil anarchy and the breakdown of all law and order. Since he is the lawless one spoken of by Paul, he operates best in a moral vacuum that promotes a state of spiritual confusion.
The battle lines of the Christian life are clearly drawn today. The real key is whose side are we on? After Israel’s apostasy into Egyptian idolatry, Moses drew a line in the dust of that sin cursed earth and cried out, “Who is on the Lord’s side? Let him come unto me!” Later, the great prophet Elijah issued a similar challenge upon the occasion of the Lord’s overwhelming defeat of the prophets of Baal. The hoary-haired prophet bellowed out to the remnant that had not bowed their knee to Baal, “. .How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. . ‘ The challenge was issued by our Savior, Jesus, in these famous words, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. . . . Seek ye first the kingdom of God.”
It is clear there can be no neutrality in this great battle of the ages. Someone has well said, “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, in the strife “twixt true and falsehood, for the good or evil side.” Someone else has also said, “The hottest fires of hell are reserved for those who in times of great moral crisis try to maintain their neutrality.”
The Christian life is a calling to do battle with Satan and his cohorts. Even though it is true that the battle belongs to the Lord, each Christian in his day is called to take a stand in the
gap of the spiritual walls that are continually being breached by Satan’s onslaught. He is called to make up the hedge of righteousness in the nation in which he lives. Paul said, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
Our weapons in this Christian warfare are not carnal, but spiritual. Paul said, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare [are] not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;” (II Cor. 10:3-5) Satan makes it a battle for the minds of men. Key words stated and implied here are: imaginations, reasoning, speculations, thought and knowledge. Our role in this battle is to allow the Spirit of God to liberate our minds through the glorious gospel of Christ and the Word of God. Then we can enter into the battle to liberate the minds of others and bring them into the obedience of the gospel. The Word of God and the gospel are the powerful weapons God has placed at our disposal for use in this eternal spiritual conflict.
Since we are equipped with these weapons, we become the most powerful, important and influential people in the cosmos. More powerful and influential than politicians, rulers or military commanders. Thewieldingofthesepowerfulweaponsbytheearly Christians turned the Roman world upside down. Since this is the case, is it not logical that real soldiers of Jesus Christ are always subjected to the most unreasonable and irrational attacks? From the time of Rome, every repressive regime has first attacked fundamental Christianity. This principle is obviously being played out in the world today. We hear reports of such attacks becoming more frequent and ferocious in the media and through the institutions of our nation and other nations in the western world.
Paul also uses martial terms in speaking to young Timothy about the battle of the Christian life. (II Tim. 2) This is especially pertinent to those pastors and spiritual leaders who are supposed to be leading the spiritual troops into battle. He speaks of the spiritual qualifications of a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He must draw his primary strength in battle from the grace of God. He must strive to become well trained, spiritually hardened and battle tested veteran of the Lord’s army. He must be separated from the world. His life must be focused upon the ongoing spiritual fray. He must himself be one who has borne fruit as a successful soldier. If he is to win a spiritual medal for the glory of God, he must also strictly obey the orders of His Commander in Chief.
I remember reading during the Korean War of a fighter pilot who downed a number of enemy planes. But he was court martialed because he did not obey orders to return to his home base. It seems that it was felt that in his striving for personal glory, he had endangered the lives of his fellow soldiers.
Perhaps there are those today who see themselves as sincere good soldiers of Christ, but who are striving the wrong way. Perhaps these will be they who have sought to save their own lives rather than lose their lives for His sake. In the long haul they will become the losers. How much more fulfilling and glorifying to God will it be for those who can say with Paul at the end of their battle, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (II Tim. 4:7-8)
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A RACE TO BE RUN. The imagery presented by Paul on this subject is easily imagined. In our mind’s eye we can see a great arena. This impressive arena is filled with massive and boisterous crowds; spectators at the Greek or Roman games. Out on the track are those elite athletes who have the honor of being selected to participate in the games for the glory of the Emperor and of Rome. They will take their mark and run the race with every ounce of energy and skill at their disposal. Their ultimate, all consuming desire is to stand before the Bema Seat of the Judge of the games. There they may receive a laurel crown; symbolizing their victory for Rome.
These games were not only held at Rome, but in many principal cities of the provinces of the far flung empire. One of the great honors of being a citizen of Rome was the privilege of participating in these great competitive spectacles. In presenting the concept of the Christian life as a race, Paul not only
emphasizes the role of the athlete, but the spectator as well, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset [us], and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” (Heb. 12:1)
It is in the context that Paul challenges the members of the church at Corinth to give it their best. They are to train and get into top shape. The right spiritual food and exercise will enable them to maintain the tone and tenor of their spiritual muscles. They must exercise moderation in their spiritual lifestyle. They are to hold nothing back. They are to run the race of life for the glory of God.
Their ultimate desire as they push out their chests and strive for the finish line, should be to win a crown of life. Then as they stand before the Bema Seat of the Judge of the universe, they may hear His wonderful words of commendation, “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.” Then will come that climatic moment when they can cast their glorious crowns at His feet and glorifyHimforever! “Knowyenotthattheywhichruninarace run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” (I Cor. 9:24-27)
Our view of life as a race should encompass the idea of how important the finish can be. It has been demonstrated again and again that those who falter or fail at the finish line can lose all. Many of us remember a few examples in Olympic competition that confirm this. A runner glances over his shoulder to determine the closeness of those on his heels and loses that half step or so that means the difference between winning and losing the race.
Examples in the Christian life are too many and too painful to easily contemplate or count. The well known spiritual leader falling prey to sexual temptation or being seduced by fame, fortune or power. Many times his momentary indiscretion wiping out a lifetime of living for the Lord. The ordinary Christian falling by the wayside; losing his testimony and effectiveness for the Lord Jesus Christ among his family and friends. I really
do appreciate a pastor friend who always concludes his email notes to me and other friends with the simple statement, “Finish faithful.” Itisnotenoughtofightagoodfightandrunagood race. In the battle and game of life, we must keep the faith as well.
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE IS A BUILDING TO BE BUILT. In the New Testament, the first insight into this Christian enterprise is given by our Savior Himself when He speaks of the absolute necessity of building our lives upon the right foundation. “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matt. 7:24-27) There can be no doubt that Jesus is focusing upon the Christianlife in this analogy. Hehasspokenofthegoodfruit borne by those who live their life based upon His truth and teachings. He has given a dire warning to those who are basing their lives on error and false doctrine and teaching. Reinforcing this concept, Paul later speaks of the house of God being the pillar and ground of the truth (I Tim. 3:15).
The foundation of the Christian life is strong and secure for those who have been saved by His grace. They have their feet planted upon the Solid Rock, Jesus Christ. “And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (I Cor. 10:4) Paul makes it clear that this foundation is the necessary foundation for those who would build a valuable and durable Christian life. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (I Cor. 3:11) Even David recognized this principle when he said, “He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.” (Psalm 40:2)
But the materials and workmanship used to construct the building of the Christian life are also all important. Shoddy materials and sorry workmanship always leads to a poorly constructed and relative worthless structure. As our Savior indicates, in the architectural world the real test comes in the storms and stresses
of life. Wind and rain can bring the dream house of a careless builder crashing down to the ground.
Since our area of the Gold Coast is in the cyclone zone, we have very strict building codes designed to theoretically cyclone proof our buildings. Those who live in earthquake prone areas must also take special precautions. An earthquake can shake and destroy in a few seconds any structure built without the use of proper materials and structural engineering methods.
There is obviously a right and wrong way to build the Christian life. There are sound materials and sorry materials readily available for construction. There are sound skills and shoddy and sloppy short cuts that can be used in the spiritual building process. There are right or wrong motives that may be involved in any spiritual building program. All this is clearly illustrated by Paul when he said, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” (I Cor. 3:11-15)
There was once a young man who decided he would follow in the footsteps of his father and become a master builder. After completing an apprenticeship with his Dad, he continued to work for him. His father’s business prospered and became very successful. As the years passed, the young man became dissatisfied, especially with the long hours he worked at a very basic wage. He eventually became somewhat embittered about the matter. One day his father went away for an extended holiday. While away, he placed his son in charge of the business. He told his son that his primary job would be to construct a very expensive mansion on a hill. The house was for a very special person. He was use the best of materials and spare no expense in skilled craftsmanship. Seeing his opportunity, the son proceeded to cut every corner possible in workmanship and material. He pocketed the money saved and falsified the records to cover up the fraud. When his father returned he asked his son for the keys to the new house. He then dropped the keys into an envelope
and gave them to his son. When his son opened the envelope he found a cheque for one hundred thousand dollars and a deed to the new home. In an enclosed card, his father told him how much he loved him and said the gift was just a token of his appreciation for all the loyalty and hard work of his son in the past.
Yes, we are each building a life for the Lord. Obviously, our reward in the end will be relative to the quantity and quality of our labor and the spiritual building materials we use in the structure. Our Saviour said, “And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man,ifheshallgainthewholeworld,andlosehisownsoul? Or whatshallamangiveinexchangeforhissoul?” (Mark8:34-37)
What is the conclusion of the whole matter? We have looked at some of the figurative language used to describe The Christian Life In the scriptures. All of these illustrate and emphasize the fact that life is not necessarily meant to be easy for we Christians. None of these metaphoric images indicate that we are to be borne to heaven upon beds of flowery ease. In preparing His disciples for His crucifixion, Jesus had this momentous observation to make, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” (John16:33) LaterPaul,whowaswellqualifiedandexperience in the matter, had this to say, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” (II Tim. 3:12)
Anyone who has been fighting the fight, running the race or building a life for very long clearly understands the implication of the images. The Christian life is truly a battle to be fought. The militant nature of the Christian life is beyond dispute. It is clear to the real Christian soldier that he is daily engaged in a spiritual warfare of the highest order. He has a powerful adversary who is a dangerous and deadly enemy.
That the Christian life is an exhausting yet exhilarating race to be run is also crystal clear to the experienced Christian contestant. He knows if he is to have any chance to run and win the race for the glory of His Lord he must train, temper and tone his spiritual body into top spiritual fitness. They are to run the race of life for the glory of God. He lays asides the sin that so easily besets him and patiently runs the race as he looks unto the author and finisher of his faith. Always considering how important the finish can be. If he falters or fails at the finish line he can lose all.
Someone may well say, “But I have been a Christian for a good while, yet I have never really gotten fully into the battle, or really settled down to seriously run the race or build an effective and beautiful Christian life that would glorify God and be a testimony to the world around me.” It’s never too late to start to get serious about the matter of the Christian life. I found the following story told by Charles Swindoll in his book, “Strengthening Your Grip,” to be truly inspiring, even at my age:
“Several years ago an older couple attended a Bible Conference in Colorado. Their children were raised and they were facing the sunset years of their lives. Both were Christians, but neither had every come out of the closet spiritually. The conference theme was, “Looking Unto Jesus,” and that became the emphasis of the week. While attending the conference and coming to grips with the message of wholesale commitment to Christ, each one decided to place Him on the throne of his or her life. No matter what, they would follow the Lord fully, not halfheartedly. They prayed before starting their long drive back to their home. ‘ Lord, we give you first place. We have lived too many years for ourselves. No longer. We have decided to spend the balance of our lives for You. No matter what happens, the rest of our days are in Your hands.’
En route to their destination that evening a car swerved over onto their side of the highway, heading straight toward them. The man jerked the wheel to the right, slammed on the brakes, and skidded down into a ditch, finally coming to a stop in the middle of a shallow ravine. As water began to pour into their car, the wife pulled herself out of the window on her side and he did the same on his. They stood on top of their car as the water passed by beneath them. They were stunned, but so grateful to be alive that they embraced tightly and then began to sing, spontaneously and softly: ‘Praise God from who all blessings flow, Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.’
As their voices trailed off, they looked up on the narrow bridge above them and saw a large number of people staring down in silent disbelief. A highway patrolman was there, they said later, who had placed his hat over his heart. Nobody knew what to say.
Suddenly the elderly husband was seized with the realization that even this could be used as a testimony to the glory of God. With a twinkle in his eye, a smile on his lips, and with a trembling voice he began, “You might have wondered why we called this meeting here today . . . ‘ And he then proceeded to tell the onlookers about their decision to look unto Jesus no matter what. And instead of complaining and succumbing to fear, the two of them spoke openly of the Lord their God, whom they now followed fully, not halfheartedly.”
All these analogies are designed to challenge God’s people to fight the good fight, run the great race and build the beautiful building of the Christian life. But what about those who have not properly enlisted in God’s army? Those who cannot legitimately putontheuniformorthewholearmourofGod? Thosewhoarenot really in the fight? Those who haven’t qualified to stand at the starting line and hear the starters gun? Or those who do not have a real spiritual builder’s license? Those who not only have no sure foundation but have no scripturally legal access to the right spiritual building materials
Our message for you is to place first things first. You must be born again spiritually in order to enlist in God’s army. Then you can put on the uniform of scriptural baptism. You must be eternally saved by the grace of God before you can even front up to the starting line to begin the Christian race. You must repent of your sin and receive Christ, the Rock, as your eternal Saviour and sure foundation, before you can lay your hand to the spiritual bricks and mortar needed in constructing a Christian life for the Lord. If you are lost, why not be saved today?
