How to Live the Christian Life

QUESTION: What does the Bible say about how to live the Christian life?

ANSWER:

How to live the Christian life is a topic that is discussed in many Bible passages. One of the most notable discourses was between Jesus and Nicodemus. Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish council, went to Jesus during the night to discover how to live the Christian life. Jesus explains to Nicodemus that he must be born again: “…I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (John 3:3). Salvation is the beginning step in living a Christian life. In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The Christian way of life is the best way of life possible! Jesus said He came so His followers “may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 ). God’s way of living has great benefits for this life and offers “pleasures forevermore” in the next (1 Timothy 4: 8; Psalm 16:11 ).

That doesn’t mean that Christian living is easy. The challenges and difficulties of this way of life are designed to help us grow to have Jesus Christ’s mind and the character of God. We are to learn to think and act like God because He wants us to be His children forever!
Jesus encourages all believers to grow in relationship, commitment, and obedience to Him. This is the essence of how to live a Christian life. Our relationship, commitment, and obedience are done out of love, not a constraint. John 14:21 says, “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Living the Christian life is not abiding by an agenda or following a set of strict rules. Instead, the Christian life is characterized by:

Understanding that you are a new creation! 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”
Transforming and renewing your mind. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Treating others with love. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”
Living out the teachings of Christ. Jesus taught: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3-10).
Sharing your faith. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

Living the Christian life does not mean enjoying a life of ease and never experiencing problems. 1 Peter 5:8 says that there is an enemy who wishes to destroy us: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” But we also read that Jesus has overcome the world!

No matter what opposition you face, living the Christian life is worth it! Enjoying a relationship with God and His Son Jesus, being confident of where you will spend eternity, and living in day-to-day fellowship with Him is far greater than any opposition you may face.

Jesus came to give His followers an abundant life—full of purpose, potential, and joy. But Christian living has challenges. How do we live the life Jesus wants?

Christian living principles

God gave us the Bible to teach us the best way to live and to give us examples of others to learn from. The good and bad examples in the Bible can make what may seem to be abstract principles come to life.

The articles in this “Christian Living” section will help you find and understand the biblical principles for dealing with the challenges of life. They will help you build strong, supportive, loving relationships. They will help you grow in the knowledge of God’s way and in acting on that knowledge.

God’s way is the way of love. It’s the way of peace. Biblical principles will help us at home, at school, on the job, in our time management and decision making, in controlling our emotions and in growing in spiritual maturity. By practicing Christian living, we will demonstrate the values that Christ has and the love He shows.

Start now

This section is a work in progress, so we encourage you to come back often as we add new articles about Christian living. Please let us know if you have suggestions for future articles, and let us know any questions you would like answered.

As a start, we encourage you to read “The Way of Peace” now. It’s a way that this world hasn’t known (Romans 3:17 Romans 3:17), but that God reveals throughout the Bible. It’s the way our loving God wants—and commands—us to live. The benefits are priceless.