Are We Living the True Christian Life?

Dear Diary,

I’m here in bed thinking about us Christians and our walk with the Lord. Are we really living the way Christians ought to live? Are we really followers of Christ? Or is it that on the day of baptism we feel like we’ve made it so we don’t need to try anymore? Should there be a master class every few weeks, months or years to remind us Christians how to walk the walk and talk the talk?

I know that being a Christian does not mean that our lives will be perfect and we will no longer have down days or even sin. That is far from the truth but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t strive to do our best walking with the Lord. As I have mentioned before, I grew up in a Christian home but I wasn’t baptized until in my early 20s; nevertheless, I would say I grew up going to church,  praying, reading my bible and worshiping. Even with all of that, I wouldn’t say I was on fire for God, I was cold.

Have you ever seen someone truly on fire for God? I have, several times. Well...not as often as I was hoping. However, I would like to tell you about a friend, we will call her Cindy. After leaving university I started working at a preparatory school where I met Cindy. When I met her, she was on fire for God and when I say on fire, I mean on fire!!! Burning hot fire!! We are not talking about lukewarm or cold, she was on fire for God. Just take a moment to envision that. When you talk about seeing God through someone, that was Cindy. The way she spoke and even her mere actions made me so jealous of her relationship with God. I wanted what she had!! I wanted that relationship with God! How can I get that relationship with God? Proper, proper “red yeye!” Even though she had storms taking place in her life, she still pressed on. She showed that we are mere humans trying to do our best to be Christ like. Guess what? I was convinced. Cindy was not the reason for me giving my life to God but she unknowingly encouraged me. Her light was shining before others and God was being glorified (Matt. 5:16).  Just to let you know, Cindy is still out there doing amazing things for the Lord. Though she is “on fire” for the Lord, I can only imagine that there are days when she may fall short of the glory of God but that doesn’t stop her.

I need to see more Christians on fire for God. Us Christians need to make others jealous of our relationship with God to the point of turning to Him. Sigh, that’s not the case right now though. I see a lot of us just saying that we are Christians. We go to church on Sundays/Saturdays and we act more holier than thou and then we are something else for the rest of the week. We keep some of the commandments and feel like some are not necessary. We hate our neighbours even when we are commanded to love them. We live so much in the flesh (adultery, fornication, hatred, idolatry, strife etc.) rather than acting out the fruit of the spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith etc.) - Gal. 5:16-26. Then we call ourselves followers of Christ. Who are we really following? By the way, I don’t think Jesus is impressed. Not even the least bit.

As Christians, we do not know who is out there watching us. Sometimes, we may be the only example of Christ to someone who isn’t even a believer; therefore, we need to walk the walk and talk the talk. Remember that the scripture says, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). Cindy didn’t know I was looking at her as an exemplary Christian but the good thing was that she was leaving a positive impact. I say that to say that we don’t know who is looking in and looking up to us as an example. People may hear you speak or see you do something and say one of the following:

1. He/she is truly a Christian, you can see the Lord shining through him/her.

2. How is he/she a Christian and doing those things? That’s why I don’t go to church.

3. Is he/she a Christian, I can’t tell?

What do you rather people say about you? Let us look into our lives and make adjustments where needed. Let us be on fire for God. People, the harvest is ripe but the labourers are few (Matt.9:37-38). Let us go out there and willingly work for the Lord. Let us all lead by example. Let us repent of our sins and get right with God. The Lord will not turn you away because His word says He is faithful and just to forgive our sins. Let us go forward for God and stop with this lukewarm business. Let us stop being Christians for one day of the week and then in the world for the rest of the week. People it’s fighting time, I would even say end time based on all that is happening. Dunno! Listen, you can’t fight if you don’t have the full armour of God so put it on (Eph. 6:10-18). What are you going to do, go out there and when it’s time to fight you hold up the bible without knowing the words? Nah! You need to know and understand the word for yourself. Even Jesus when He was tempted (Matt. 4:1-11) quoted scriptures from Deuteronomy 8:3 and Psalms 91:11,12 to fight off the devil. So...if Jesus the son of God used the words of the Lord in battle, what makes you think you don’t need to use it? The problem is, you can’t use or draw on something you don’t know. Remember that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, we are fighting a spiritual warfare; hence, you need the word of the Lord to win this one (Eph. 6:12). 

Read your bibles, not just wake up and read a verse thinking that we are doing due diligence. I used to do that and by the time I got out of bed, I totally forgot what I read. So, read your bibles and meditate on the word. Pray to God and trust in Him, please remember to acknowledge Him always and not lean on your own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6). Let us all be a beacon of light for others to see. Let us truly be Christ like. We are all in this together.

Yawns*** I’m going to bed now. It’s very late but we will talk again soon.

Love,

Christian Girl