DWoG 9 The purpoe of life and a Christlike lifestyle

I often find that people have questions about how a Christian, as a follower of Jesus Christ, should live their life. So let’s talk about that for a moment.

In essence, Christians live by imitating Jesus Christ. They shape their thoughts and speech, and daily actions based on the Word of God. The "Word of God" refers to two things: first, Christ Himself, as described in John 1, where Jesus is the Word that became flesh, the visible image of God and second, it refers to the Bible, which serves as a guide for living a Christian life. By following the Bible, Christians aim to emulate Christ, thus aligning their lives with God's teachings.

To understand how a Christian should live, it's important to grasp that the purpose of human life is to unite with God. This union is why humans were created and is central to God's plan of salvation. The Apostle Peter highlights this in his second letter, where he explains that God's divine power provides everything necessary for living a godly life through knowing Him, enabling us to share in His divine nature.

Sharing in God's divine nature is a great honour and responsibility. Christians are called to live in a way that honours God, ensuring their thoughts, words, and actions reflect well on Him. In Ephesians 2:18-19, Paul mentions that through Jesus, God has made us part of His household, highlighting the honour and duty of being in God's family.

To be close to God, Christians need to build a strong relationship with Him. This means trusting Him completely, reading the Bible, and praying regularly. It's important to love God and other people just as God loves us. Living a holy life means avoiding actions that would dishonour God or His people. A Christlike life is different from a worldly life, marked by selflessness and holiness.

In our sinful world, many live self-centered lives, pursuing personal gain without regard for others. This results in greed, violence, and corruption. The Bible, especially in Ecclesiastes, describes such a life as chasing after vanities, lacking true meaning.

True happiness, according to the Bible, is found in unity with God. St. Augustine of Hippo noted that worldly pursuits will never satisfy our deepest desires; only God can fill our hearts. Material wealth and achievements fall short without God. A Christian life seeks happiness in God, sharing this joy with a broken world. Contrary to popular belief, true happiness comes from making God happy and serving others, not from selfish pursuits.

A Christian's life of self-sacrifice involves using one's resources to honour God and benefit others. This aligns with Jesus' sacrifice on the cross, offering abundant life to all. Jesus stated in John 10:10, "I came so that you may have life and have it to the full."

Living a moral life honours God and reflects Jesus' sacrifice. Christians avoid things like theft and murder, instead they protect life and property. They treat others with respect and uphold the sanctity of marriage and sex. Christians care for the poor and needy, striving to live according to God's purpose in unity with Him.

From moral living flows the responsibility to improve the world, bringing beauty and life to it. True beauty reflects God and helps people orient themselves toward Him. Christians see beauty in nature, in art, and most certainly in a clean environment, striving to restore and build up rather than destroy. They help the needy and they look after their surroundings, making it beautiful as a reflection of God's creation.

Wisdom and truth come from God. Seeking them brings Christians back to the purpose of life: unity with God. True wisdom and truth lead to a holy life of prayer and Bible study, emulating or matching Christ through self-sacrifice and spreading beauty and life. Practical applications include not littering, respecting others, and prioritising the good of others in everything they do.

As part of God's household, Christians are the visible body of Christ, acting as His hands and feet in the world. By living like Christ, they share God's love, bringing hope and faith to a fallen world. This is how a Christian conducts their life.