Christian Life

“Christian Life”
1.What does God really want from me?

2.How can I be perfect like God wants me to be?

3.How can I commit my life to god?

4.How am I supposed to live as a Christian?

In this small article we will answer these questions from the Bible.

1. In Numbers(9:23) the text says “At the Lord's command they encamped, and at the Lord's command they set out. They obey the Lord's order. In accordance with his command through Moses.”

The Israelites traveled and camped as God guided. When you follow God's guidance, you know you are where God wants you, whether you're moving or staying in one place. You are physically somewhere right now. Instead of praying “God, what do you want me to do next while I'm right here?” Direction from God is not just for your next big move. He has a purpose in placing you in where you are right now. Begin to understand God's purpose for your life by discovering what he wants you to do now!
In Judges(21:25) the text says “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as he saw fit.”
During the time of the judges, the people of Israel experienced trouble because everyone became his own authority and acted on his own opinions of right and wrong. This produced horrendous results. Our world is similar; individual groups and societies have made themselves the final authorities without reference to God. When people selfishly satisfy their personal desires at all costs, every one pays the price to be truly heroic like some judges, we must go into battle each day in our home, Job, church, and society to make God's Kingdom a reality. Our weapons are the standards, morals, truths, and convictions we receive from God's Word. We will lose battle if we gather the spoils of earthy treasures rather than seeking the treasures of heaven.
In Proverbs(13:6) the text says “Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.”
Living right is like posting a guard for your life, every choice for good sets into motion other opportunities for good. Evil choices follow the same pattern, but in the opposite direction. Each decision you make to Obey God's word will bring a great sense of order to your life, while each decision to disobey will bring confusion and destruction, the right choices you make reflect your integrity, obedience brings the greatest safety and security.
In Ecclesiastes(1:8-11) the text says “All things are wearisome, more than once can say. The eye never has enough of seeing. Nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again? There is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look this is something new”? It was here already, long ago. It was here before our time, there is no remembrance of men of old, and ever those who are yet to come, will not be remembered by those who follow.”
Many people feel restless and dissatisfied, they wonder...
1.If I am in God's will, why am I so tired and unfulfilled?
2.What is the meaning of life?
3.When I look back on it all, will I be happy with my accomplishments?
4.Why do I feel burned out, disillusioned, and dry?
5.What is to become of me?
Solomon(who wrote the Ecclesiastes) tests our faith, challenging us to find true and lasting meaning in God alone. As you take a hard look at your life as Solomon did his, you will see how important seving God is over all other options. Perhaps God is asking you to rethink your Purpose and direction in life, just as Solomon did in Ecclesiastes.
In 1 John(4:20,21) the text says “ If anyone says (I love God) yet hates his brother, he is a lier. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen cannot love god, whom he has not seen. And he has given us this command, Whoever loves god must also love his brother.”
It is easy to say we love God when that love doesn't cost us anything more than weekly attendance at religious services. The real test of our love for God is how we treat the people right in front of us. Our family members and fellow believers, we cannot truly love God while neglecting those who are created in his image.




2. In Matthew(5:48) the text says “Be perfect, therefore as your heavenly Father is perfect.
How can we be perfect?
1. In character, in this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible.
2. In holiness: Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world's sinful values, but unlike the pharisees, we are to be devoted to God's desires rather than our own and carry his love and mercy to the world.
3. In maturity; we can't achieve Christlike character and holy living all at once, but we must grow toward maturity and wholeness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, and an adult. So, god expects different behavior from us, depending on our stage of spiritual development.
4. In love: we can seek to love others as completely as God loves us.
We can be perfect if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level. Perfect, yet with much room to grow. Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all of his disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity, and to mature in every area in becoming like him. Those who strive to become perfect will one day be perfect even as Christ is perfect 1 John(3:2-3).
In Romans(5:20) Paul says “The law was added so that the transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more
As sinner separated from God, you see His law from below, as a ladder to be climbed to get to God. Perhaps you have repeatedly tried to climb it, only to fall to the ground every time you have advanced one or two rungs. Or, perhaps the sheer height of the ladder seems so overwhelming that you have never seen Jesus's offering with open arms to life you above the ladder of the law; to take you directly to God. Once Jesus lifts you into God's presence you are free to obey, out of love not necessity and through God's powers not your own, you know that if you stumble, you will not fall back to the ground. Instead you will be caught and held in Christ's loving arms.


In Hebrews(10:14) the text says :because by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
We have been made perfect, yet we are (being made holy) through His death and resurrection. Christ, once and for all made his believers perfect in God's sight. At the same time, he is making them holy (progressively cleansed and set apart for his special use) in their daily pilgrimage here. We should not be surprised, ashamed, or shocked that we still need to grow. God is not finished with us, we can encourage this growth process by deliberately applying scripture to all areas of our lives. By accepting the discipline and guidance Christ provides, and by giving him control of our desires and goals.
3. In Proverbs(16:3) the text says “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”
There are different ways to fail to commit whatever we do to the Lord, some people commit their work only superficially. They say the project is being done for the Lord, but in reality they are doing it for themselves. Others give God temporary control of their interests, only to take control back by the moment things stop going the way they expect. Still others commit a task fully to the Lord, but put forth no effort themselves, and they wonder why they do not succeed. We must maintain a delicate balance, trusting God as if everything depended on him, while working as if everything depended on us. Think of a specific effort in which you are involved in currently. Have you commited it to the lord?
In Peter(1:14-16) he text says “As obedient children do not conform the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. For it is written “Be holy because I am holy.”
The God of Israel and of the Christian Church is holy, he sets the standard for morality. Unlike the Roman gods, He is not warlike, adulterous, or spiteful. Unlike the gods of the pagan cults popular in the first century; He is not blood thirsty or promiscuous. He is the God of mercy and justice who cares personally for each of his followers. Our holy God expects us to imitate him by following his high moral standards like him we should be both merciful and just like him, we should sacrifice ourselves for others.



4. In Exodus(23:24-25) the text says “Do not bow down before their gods or worship them or follow their practices you must demolish them and break their sacred stones to pieces. Worship the LORD your God, and his blessing will be on your food and water. I will take away sickness from among you.
If you're in the furnace it's easy to catch on fire. God warned the Israelites about their neighbors whose beliefs and actions could turn them away from him. We also live among neighbors whose values may be completely different from ours. We are called to maintain a lifestyle that shows our faith. This can be a struggle especially if our Christian life style differs from the norm. Our lives should demonstrate that obeying God takes precedence over conforming to our neighbors way of life. God's word not society dictates how we should live.
In Joshua(1:5) the text says “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Many people think that prosperity and success come from having power influential personal contacts and a relentless desire to get ahead. But the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against criteria. He said that to succeed Joshua must,
1. Be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be easy.
2. Obey God's law
3. Constantly read and study the book of the Law, God's word.
To be successful, follow God's word to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes and his opinion is most important.
In John(17:18) the text says “As you sent me into the world I have sent them into the world.”
Jesus didn't ask God to take believers out of the world, but instead to use them in the world. Because Jesus sent us into the world we should not try to escape from the world; nor should we avoid all relationships with non Christians. We are called to be salt and light Matthew(5:13-16) and we are to do the work that God sent us to do.

In Romans(13:1) the text says “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by god.”
Christians understand Romans 13 in different ways. All Christians agree that we are to live at peace with the state as long as the state allows us to live by our religious convictions. For hundreds of years, however there have been at least three interpretations of how we are to do this.
1. Some Christians believe that the state is so corrupt that Christians should have as little to do with it as possible, although they should be good citizens as long as they can do so without compromising their beliefs. They should not work for the government, vote in elections, or serve in the military
2. Others believe that God has given the state authority in certain areas and the church authority in others. Christians can be loyal to both and can work for either. They should not, however confuse the two, in this view, church and state are concerned with two totally different spheres. The spiritual and the physical, and thus complement each other, but do not work together.
3. Still others believe that Christians have a responsibility to make the state better. They can do this politically by electing Christians or other high-principled leaders. They can also do this morally, by serving as an influence for good in society. In this view, church and state ideally work together for the good of all.
None of these views advocate rebelling against or refusing to obey the government's law or regulations unless those laws clearly require you to violate the morals and standards revealed by God. Wherever we find ourselves we must be responsible citizens as well as responsible Christians.
In 1 Peter(1:8-9) the text says “Though you have not seen him, you love him and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Jesus had said to his disciple Thomas, who came to believe after touching the resurrected Christ. “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John(20:29). Peter having heard those words, repeats them here “Though you have not seen him, you love him”. That faith brings both salvation and the promise of a day when pain will end and perfect justice begin. Faith will be rewarded and evil will be punished, but what should we do until then? The Bible's answer is simple; but not easy. Because we know the future. We must faithfully serve God here and now. If today that means resolving a conflict, mending a hurt, working a dull job, confronting a belligerent child, rebuilding a marriage, or just waiting for guidance. Do it all with the joy of God, who will return with his reward.