What is the Christian Life? 2

(Lesson number 2)

The Christian life is neither a bed of roses nor a pathway of thorns.

It is neither an academic endeavor nor an emotional experience.

It is a journey that begins with a simple step of faith

and continues until we see Christ in all his glory.

It reveals our fallen nature and proves God’s faithfulness.

It is our opportunity to love the One who loved us first

and to show his love to others.

It is different than I expected it to be

but it is what God has promised that it would be.

It is all that he has given me

and it is all that I have to give back to him.

The Christian life is a gift….

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

(John 10:28)

….and it is a life of giving.

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.“

(Acts 20:35)

It is a life of rejoicing and of weeping.

“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.“

(Romans 12:15)

It is a life of warfare….

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.“

(Ephesians 6:11)

….and of peace.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.“

(John 14:27)

It is a life in which we are completely forgiven….

“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; “

(Colossians 2:13)

….and a life in which we are to forgive others.

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.“

(Ephesians 4:32)

It is a life of liberty and of service.

“For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.“

(Galatians 5:13)

It is a life of love and obedience.

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.“

(John 14:15)

It is a life of confidence….

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:“

(Philippians 1:6)

….and a life of humility.

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.“

(Philippians 2:5-8)

It is a life where God’s word and his grace are in us.

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.“

(Colossians 3:16)