The Christian Life
Religions across the world have promoted themselves using a variety of techniques, very often by offering experiences. The Indian Professor of Philosophy, Bhagwam Shree Rajneesh led a fast growing religious community, beginning in India. The cult then spread to the United States after it gained a bad reputation for prostitution and drug running. He gained a massive following by, what is largely regarded as brain washing techniques. His devotees would prance and dance around, often half dressed, to rhythmic music, then stand still mindlessly. Rajneesh himself had ninety-three Rolls Royces. This movement, like many religions, is based on offering people experiences but cannot answer the ‘truth tests’.
Jesus and his disciples asked the whole world to become followers of him because his claims were true. He said that he God, the is the creator of this world, who entered into it as a human being, who died to take responsibility for many peoples’ sins, who fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about God’s Messiah, who rose again to prove his claims and who will return to call his people to himself and be the judge of all. He will return to judge the living and the dead and forgiven Christians can look forwards to that day.
“. . . while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11
This is a massive claim with far reaching implications. Jesus offers a covenant with all people. He will take responsibility for our sins if we allow him to be Lord of our lives. To be our Saviour he must be our Lord. There is no cheap eternal insurance cover here. Freedom is never free. Jesus had to enter this world, suffer and die so that we can be free. Many Christian men, such as eleven out of the twelve apostles, and many reformers such as Jan Hus, Cranmer, Latimer, Ridley and Tyndale died so that the message of the Bible could be heard by all people.
God has often described his people in terms of a plant, for example,
“I will plant Israel in their own land, never again to be uprooted from the land I have given them” Amos 9:15
Growing as a Christian has also been described in these terms,
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7
A young seedling has a root, a stem and usually two leaflets or, to give them their technical name, two cotyledons. This gives a picture of what the Christian life should be like.
There are four essential features of the Christian life that are illustrated by a seedling.
The Root - the Word of God
When a seed is planted it is essential that it rapidly develops roots if it is to survive. Jesus and his apostles made it clear that the basis for Christian understanding is the Bible, the Word of God. As we read and understand this, it will lead us into knowing all that God has done for us and sort of people God wants us to be.
Jesus stressed that the way his church would grow would be by the ‘word of God’ being sown in peoples hearts and minds by his word being taught. This is fundamental. Some groups think this to be relatively ineffective nowadays and have moved away to emphasise the theatrical, the mysterious or the dramatic and miraculous. However Jesus keeps repeating that it is the teaching of the word of God that is what is required to establish his vibrant church.
Jesus trained his disciples using stories. In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1-20) he reminds them that their main task was to ‘sow the seed’. He makes it clear that this means sowing the Word of God in peoples minds. This can be a depressing work. Many, like the seed sown on the pathway, will reject the message straight away. Others will show a short lasting interest but then wither when troubles or persecution appears. Yet others will at first respond ‘to the word’ in a serious way, but the ‘worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful’.
The parable of the growing seed then follows (Mark 4:26-29). This emphasises that whilst it is our job to sow the seed, it is God who turns this seed into life, The emphasis is clear - the seed of God’s word must be scattered by God’s people.
In the book of Acts, the growth of the church is described in significant terms. In Corinth Paul “stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God” (Acts 18:11). In Ephesus the growth in the church is describes similarly,
“In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.” Acts 19:20
When Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, he reminded them how they had been accepted by God. They had heard and accepted the message of the Bible about Jesus.
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.” Ephesians 1:13
He then goes on to explain that God wants his people to grow in understanding. This can only occur as his people get to know his revealed word to them.
“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17
He made the same point in his letter to the church at Colossi,
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom . . . “ Colossians 3:16
The great first bishop of Liverpool, Bishop J.C.Ryle wrote,
“He that holds a Bible in his hand should remember that he holds not the word of man, but of God. He holds a volume that not only contains, but is the God’s word.”
He loved to remind people that this was the apostle Paul’s understanding. He explained this to the troubled church at Corinth,
“This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words.. The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of god but considers them foolishness and cannot understand them . . .” 1 Corinthians 2:13-14
“Or did the Word of God originate with you? . . . If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.” 1 Corinthians 14:36-37
Paul recognised that teaching the word of God was to remain the priority of God’s church. In his final letter to Timothy, written just before his execution, he said,
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17
He then follows this doctrinal statement with an impassioned injunction,
“I give you this charge: Preach the Word,. . . . For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. . . . They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
Getting to understand the message of the Bible must therefore remain the priority for all Christians. We must read and study it daily, go to churches where good exposition of the Bible is the focus of the church services and get involved in small groups where its meaning can be discussed. The Bible is indeed the root of both the Church and of individual Christians. What a disaster it is when Christians have to be warned about losing this priority, as the writer of the Book of Hebrews felt obliged to do,
“In fact,, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of Gods word all over again.” Hebrews 5:12
It is a tragedy that some churches have lost confidence in the word of God and the importance of teaching the truths of the Bible. When the Bible is taught well, God’s Spirit works in people’s lives and changes people. Teaching the gospel may seem to be such an insignificant, small thing but nothing can change lives in a godly way as bible teaching can. How the church desperately needs to regain its confidence in the power of the word of God. The universe was created by God’s word and his people are also recreated by the effect of his word. The apostle Paul was not embarrassed to make his life’s work the spreading of the word of God.
“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. . . . For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last.” Romans 1:16-17
The two leaflets
Most seedlings have two leaflets or, to use their proper name, cotyledons. These represent the two major ambitions that God wants his people to be concerned about. He wants all his people to be a holy people, determined to live in a way that pleases their Saviour and to be a people who share the gospel with others so that they may be saved.. These two are repeated demands throughout the Bible, often in close proximity. The following are just some examples,
“Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” Exodus 19:6
“Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. . . proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.” Psalm 26:1,6
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.” Proverbs 11:30
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation . . . Depart, depart, go out from there! Touch no unclean thing! Come out from it and be pure . . .” Isaiah 52:7,11
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness like the stars. . . Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked.” Daniel 12:3,10
“And we . . . are being transformed into his likeness. . . by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyman’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 3:18, 4:3
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. . . God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness . . .” Matthew 6:33
“But you are a chosen people . . that you may declare the praise of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. . . . abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans . . . that they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12
“They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony. . . . those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus. Revelation11:11,17
God chose us to be Christians so that we become like the Lord Jesus, becoming like him in character and purpose. We should therefore:
Share the gospel.
There can be no doubt, even from the above selection of Bible passages, that proclamation of the message about how any person can be put right with God is an essential function of God’s people. Within any church, members will have different roles, a few will be trained to be preachers and evangelists, but every member must be praying and thinking how their gifts can be used to help the spread of the message about Jesus and the response God demands. Christ’s Great Commission to us in the Church was,
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20
“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life . . .” 2 Timothy 1:8-9
2. Christ-like behaviour – holiness
As the passages above emphasise, the sharing of the gospel must be associated with a change of lifestyle. We are to be Christ’s representatives in the way we live as well as the way we speak. How obnoxious it is to see Christians who speak much about Jesus but who do not seem to have the character of Jesus growing in them. Furthermore how can anyone enjoy a close relationship with the Lord if they refuse to live as he wants?
I used to think a ‘holy person’ was one who was outwardly religious but inwardly a pious prig. How wrong I was. The Bible talks of a holy person as being eminently loving and attractive - just like Jesus. It is an inward longing not an outward show.
Peter wrote from his imprisonment in Rome,
“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.’ 1 Peter 1:15-16
The Shoot - living closely with Jesus
Knowing God’s word is the means to an end - a living relationship with the Lord Jesus day by day. We have been taught that we are his people so now we have to live in close harmony with him. Our relationship with Christ should be as close as a very good marriage. What a wonderful thing it will be if we can say with Paul, as our life on earth comes to a close,
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but to all those who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
When we become Christians, we become submissive to the Lord Jesus for life. His desires become our pleasure. This was to be true, even for slaves,
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. it is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23
At the end of my medical training, I went on an elective to work in some Mission Hospitals in Uganda. One day, a friend and I were walking up Namirembe Hill in Kampala to visit the Anglican Cathedral at the top. Walking down the other side of the road was a smiling Ugandan pastor with a very deep clergyman’s dog-collar. We exchanged greetings and crossed the road to talk with him. He clearly did not know whether we were committed Christians but, being a very proficient personal worker he smilingly enquired,
“What are you doing in Uganda?”
We explained that we were working in Mengo Mission Hospital.
“Oh, that’s wonderful,” he exclaimed, adding, “Does that mean you are Christians then?”
“Yes, we are,” we replied.
“That’s wonderful. Then tell me, how are you getting on with Jesus?”
I had never been asked such a question. Being British however I thought of a polite reply,
“Very well thank you, and you?
He clearly saw that I was somewhat embarrassed and started to talk about himself. He gave his testimony. He explained how he had been a twenty-nine year old school master when he had become a Christian. He then became very involved in his church, and because of his education he soon became one of its leaders. But he then found his Christian life was becoming stale. He was very busy, but spiritually dry; the warm relationship with the Lord Jesus that he had previously known had become cold.
“Then I realised what the matter with me was. I had to keep Jesus busy. Every time I failed Him I had to apologise straight away and whenever things went well I had to thank Him immediately. I must go now but don’t forget, ‘Do keep Jesus busy!’”
I shall ever be grateful to that pastor who, in such a short conversation, pointed me to what was going wrong in my Christian life – I needed to be Christ-centred.
It is the development of this relationship with the Lord Jesus that is fundamental in the Christian life.
Living closely with Jesus will inevitably mean living closely with God’s people. We cannot survive the attacks of Satan on our own – we will be picked off. Paul wrote,
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised it is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur on one another to love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
What a privilege it is to be called to be a member of the Lord’s family and kingdom and what greater honour is there than to be given the responsibility of living for his honour and glory.
The book of Revelation was written to encourage all Christians to remain faithful to Jesus in spite of great opposition. In one vision he sees the Christians all wearing the name of Jesus and His Father blatantly on their foreheads. What a disaster it is when Christian leaders find it difficult to talk openly about their Saviour, the Lord Jesus. However these Christians must also behave in Godly ways, even when in private.
“The I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father’s name written on their foreheads. . . These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes. . . No lie was found in their mouths, they are blameless. Revelation 14:1
Addendum
Many other verses emphasise the need for God’s people to be both be holy and to share the gospel with others.
“Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord.” Psalm 89:15
“I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the Lord has done . . . Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the Lord.” Psalm 118:17,19
“ . . . make known among the nations what he has done. and proclaim that his name is exalted. . . for great is the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 12:4-6
“Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. . . . Proclaim all these words in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem.” Jeremiah 11:4,6
“With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him. Those who are wise will instruct many . . .” Daniel 11:32-33
“Now those who had been scattered by the persecution in connection with Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch telling the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, men from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch and began to speak to Greeks also, telling them the good news about the Lord Jesus. . . . Barnabas . .encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.” Acts 11:19-20,23
“. . with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become and offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. . . I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known.” Romans 15:16-20
“We make it our goal to please him. . . For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ. . . we try to persuade men . . . And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness go God. . . let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-7:1
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. . . . to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone . . . His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known . . .” Ephesians 2:10, 3:8-10
“Be imitators of God, therefore and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us . . . Stand firm then . . . with you feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 5:1, 6:14-15
“ . . and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ . . . most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.” Philippians 1:10-11,14
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Philippians 2:14-16
“But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight . . . This is the gospel that you heard and has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven.” Colossians 1:22-23
“We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith,your labour prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our lord Jesus Christ. . . . The Lord’s message rang out from younot only in Macedonia and Achaia - your faith in God has become known everywhere.” 1 Thessalonians 3, 8
“So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word or by letter. . . . encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honoured.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15-3:1
“Keep reminding them of these things . . . Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 2 Timothy 2:14,19
“Then the dragon was enraged at the woman (the church) and went off to make war against the rest of her offspring – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 12:17
