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Please notice that the title of this chapter is "Christian Living," not "Christian Actions." It is not enough merely to have Christian actions,
until such time as those actions have permeated our lives. When we seek to fill each day with Christian actions, then we are capable of
Christian living. Christianity is not an idea which seeks a few good actions along the way but is a concept which affects our total life and
being. It is to affect all of today and all our tomorrows. It is a way of total commitment and that commitment is to Jesus Christ. When
we live daily as He teaches, we are engaged in Christian living!
It is the objective of this study to understand what Christian living is and how we may accomplish this in our lives. Let us ex~mine the
previously stated concepts in the light of Bible truth. All true religion is founded upon scriptural authority. Any concept which rests only
upon the philosophies and ideas of mortals can provide no lasting foundation upon which to build our lives. The notions and lifestyles
of mortals are constantly changing; therefore, we need a more lasting concept, one which has been tested by multiplied millions before us
and which has proven to be a blessing. This is true of Christian living.
The word Christian is found only three times in the Bible and all three references are in the New Testament. The reason for this
should be obvious. Christian is a name which is given to the followers of Christ. Since the New Testament records the life and ministry of
Jesus Christ, it also sets forth the idea of Christianity. There are indications which lead us to believe that the name Christian was not
widely used by Christians to describe themselves until about the second century. During that period the word Christian seems to have
been used mostly by writers who were endeavoring to convince pagans of Christian truths. Early Roman historians claim that disciples were
referred to as Christians as early as the time of Nero. It is very likely that the name was originally used by non-Christians to describe the
disciples of Christ.
Regardless of the origin and early use of the word, it is now used to identify those who live like Christ. Notice these biblical references
to the word: (1) "And the disciples were called Christians first at Antioch" (Acts 11:26), (2) "Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou
persuadest me to be a Christian" (Acts 26:28), and (3) "Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify
God on this behalf' (1 Peter 4: 16). Let us look more deeply at the ideas set forth by these verses of Scripture.
In Acts 11:26, we were told that disciples were called Christians. Disciples are learners or pupils as contrasted to the teacher or master.
The word disciple has been used in reference to followers of religious and non-religious groups; however, the disciples which are here under
consideration are those who followed Jesus Christ and learned from Him as their Teacher or Master John 13:13). They listened to Christ
and learned His ideas which in turn affected a change in their lives. Gradually they became more and more like Jesus Himself. His ways
were reflected in them as the image of a man is reflected in a mirror. As more of the ways of Jesus and more of His ideas were manifested
in their lives, others began to associate them with Christ and identify them by His name as Christians. They did not, nor do we need to
call ourselves Christians; if we truly are, others will recognize Christ in us and we will be known as Christians.
In Acts 26:28, we are told that Paul had been talking to King Agrippa. Festus thought that Paul had lost his mind and gone mad,
but it seems evident that Agrippa thought otherwise. There were great forces at work in the mind of Agrippa that day, so that he was almost
persuaded to be a Christian. The simple two-letter word be is very important in this Scripture. It helps us understand that Christianity
is not merely some oral profession but rather it is what we become. To simply speak the name of Jesus and say that we are Christian means
very little; we need to be Christians. In Christianity, we become somewhat like Jesus Christ. Gospel preaching should be a persuasive
force that admonishes us to do more than profess Jesus; we need to follow Him. Talking is cheap, but living involves the giving of
ourselves. Jesus said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will
of my Father which is in heaven" (Mt. 7:21). God's children are eternally saved by what Jesus did for us, but we are blessed to enjoy
His kingdom on earth by what we do for Him. In Christian living, we enjoy the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost which
are found in the kingdom of God (Rom. 14:17).
In 1 Peter 4: 16, we understand an important principle about suffering, that there is no shame to those who suffer in order that Christ
might be glorified. If Jesus suffered for us on the cross, we ought to gladly suffer for Him. Peter also said, "For even hereunto were ye
called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps..." (1 Peter 2:21). Early Christians suffered
bodily affliction and even death (Acts 5:41, Acts 7:59). They counted it a happy privilege to suffer for the cause of Jesus, who suffered so
much for them. Why are we now so reluctant to suffer for Him, who suffered and died for us?We may not pay the same price, but we must
still suffer. We suffer the loss of our personal identity to become lost in the identity of Christ. We may also suffer the misunderstanding
and sometimes mistreatment by others. The world does not understand us, but neither did they understand our Lord! To be a Christian,
we must follow His steps, becoming like Jesus even if suffering is involved.
Christian living is accomplished when we live like Jesus. We find our direction as we answer this question: What would Jesus do in
this situation? As we ask this question and search the Scriptures for the answers, we find ourselves on the road toward our holy quest
to be like Jesus.
Before concluding this study, let us examine some specific ways by which we may achieve Christian living. (1) Jesus said, "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" (Mt. 11:28-29).We are taught to come close to Jesus and take the yoke of service. While
we are serving Jesus, we are to learn about Him and from Him. Such Christian living gives rest to the soul. (2) Mary admonished, "Whatsoever
he saith unto you, do it" 00hn 2:5). Study the Bible and pray; then obey the words of Jesus. (3) Jesus said, "For I have given you
an example, that ye should do as I have done to you" John 13:15). Seek to know all you can about Jesus and about what He did and
said; then by your life imitate His holy example.
Early Christians fled into distant parts of the world under persecution, yet they could not hide the presence of Jesus in their lives.
They were so much like Him that others easily saw Jesus in them. Somehow through the ages, we have allowed Satan to convince us that
it is not important to be committed to this extent. Unfortunately, many have believed his deception and think that church attendance on
Sunday is all that is necessary to be a Christian. I disagree, for Christianity is a way of living the best possible life every day,
everywhere, and before everyone. Some of God's children do not yet know this truth, but through Christian witnessing we can show them the
Christian way. May we love the Christian way enough to live it and thereby magnify Christ (Phil. 1:20). May we grow "unto the perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4: 13). With this holy goal, tomorrow we will be more like Jesus than we are today.
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