What is the Christian Life? 1

(Lesson number 1)

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 new life…

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

(II Corinthians 5:17)

…and It is a life that is renewed daily

“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.”

(II Corinthians 4:16)

It is a short life on this earth…

“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.”

(James 4:14)

…but It is an eternal life

“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)

It is a life that has been paid for…

“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

(I Corinthians 6:20)

…and it is a life that costs us as we follow him

“And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”

(Luke 14:27)

It is a compassionate life and a life of purity

“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”

(James 1:27)

it is a life of self sacrifice…

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

(Romans 12:1)

…and it is an abundant life

“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

(John 10:10)

It is a life of labour and also of rest

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

(Matthew 11:28-30)

It is a life of weeping and rejoicing

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

(Psalms 126:6)

It is a holy life…

“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

(I Peter 1:15- 16)

…and a life of common actions

“After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.”

(John 13:5)

It is a thankful life

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

(Colossians 3:15)

It is a life wholly dependent upon Christ

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

(John 15:5)