How to Live the Christian Life
What I used to think
For years I thought the Christian life began by faith, but then continued by will-power.
So if I was impatient, I would try hard to be more patient; if I was unloving, I would determine to be more loving.
Sometimes this worked. Sometimes it didn’t. But even when it did, the change was just on the outside, and didn’t last.
Faith– from start to finish
But then I discovered that the Christian life doesn’t just begin by faith — it continues by faith.
I saw this in Galatians 2:20, where Paul said he lives the Christian life “by faith” — in John 6:29, where Jesus says the work we do is to believe in Him — and in Colossians 2:6 where Paul says we walk in Christ the same way we received Him (which is by faith).
Faith — the source of everything else
I also saw this by noticing how much of the Christian life comes from faith —
Where does joy come from? Faith (Phil 1:25).
Where does peace comes from? Faith (Rom 15:13 — “believing” is the verb form of the Greek word “faith”).
How about love? From faith (Gal 5:6). Obedience? From faith (Heb 11:8; Rom 1:5).
How does God supply us with the Holy Spirit and work miracles? By faith (Gal 3:5).
How can we overcome the sinful pull of the world? By faith (I John 5:4).
And what extinguishes every one of Satan’s flaming darts? You guessed it — faith (Eph 6:16).
Just like electricity
Faith powers everything in the Christian life, like electricity powers every appliance in your home.
If there’s a neighborhood power outage and your TV won’t turn on, it won’t help to open the back of the TV to tinker with the wires — that’s not the problem. The problem is there’s no electricity. To get the TV working you need to restore the electricity.
Same with the Christian life. What powers every part of the Christian life is faith. So when there’s a lack of joy or obedience or love, the problem is with my faith. The solution is to strengthen my faith.
But this only works if we understand what faith is.
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(The picture is from everystockphoto.com.)
“The substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:11
Love the read and know that without my faith, I could not know God.
Thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome, and thanks for your comment. And you are right — without faith we cannot know God.
Let’s press on to trust all that He promises to be to us in Christ Jesus.
Steve thank you again for teaching me about faith. Now i understand the depeer meaning of faith. Thought i knew the meaning of the word because it was an everyday word which i certainly convinced myself i know the meaning
Hi Nisbert,
I am so glad to hear that this was helpful for you. Thank you for taking the time to let me know.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
I love this blog I love coming back from school and just read everything you write here I m learning so much about a lot of things about God it’s just amazing I feel content with my life now I used to feel depressed and cry everyday I pray that God bless you richly brother Steve Thank you so much and I thank our lord Jesus for using you to help and teach us may he increase your wisdom … Kind Regards
Hi Gisma,
I am so glad to hear that this blog is encouraging you to trust Jesus Christ. Thank you for letting me know — and keep pressing on in trusting Him.
In Christ,
Steve Fuller
Surely i’m growing in sprit through teachings of this blog.thank u steve.
You are so welcome, Michael!
You are so welcome, Michael.
This blog has helped me through many ups and downs this past few months. I’m a college student and I’ve shared a few of your posts with my small group members as well. It’s really encouraging to be reminded of God’s constant love for us.
Just wanted to say thanks! 🙂
And thanks for letting me know!
Yes ,with faith we will please our God to trusting for his the word and about Christ who died for us and gave us the way and the truth to move on into the glory daily one steps by time and joy when our faith is growing in blessng and inpower and in visions ,thanks an dbless,keijo sweden
You are so welcome Keijo!
Your tender heart shines like a star! Thank you for taking the time to share and encourage brothers and sisters. Great reminders.
God Bless
Kay
Faith is the substance of things hope for the evidence not seen