Christian Life; A Life in Christ Full of Love

If you are living a Christian life, your life will change! When and how much is up to you.

Summary

Therefore concentrate your minds, with the strictest self-control, and fix your hopes on the blessing that is coming for you at the appearing of Jesus Christ. 14 Be like obedient children; do not let your lives be shaped by the passions which once swayed you in the days of your ignorance,

15 but in your whole life show yourselves to be holy, after the pattern of the Holy One from whom you received your call. 16 For scripture says — ‘You will be holy, because I am holy.’ 17 And since you call on him as ‘Father,’ who judges everyone impartially by what he has done, let respectful awe be the spirit of your lives during the time of your stay on earth [1 Peter 1:13-17 (OEB)]. [read Leviticus 11:44,45]

Think about this

My brothers and sisters, your Christian life is different from your natural life, but in time they will become one life. The primary difference is before [the change], you pleased either yourself or others. Now, you live to please God.

So many do not know their life must change. Your quality of life improves because you have the Holy Spirit in you. A person cannot know right from wrong without proper teaching. Jesus teaches us the right way to live.

We must know what is good against what is not good for us. If not, we may never learn to please God. Has your [moral] quality of life changed?

Key Points:

1. Change

   The new birth happens to people of all ages. In the eyes of God you begin your Christian life as a child. Much of what you do has to change. It is like being in the military. You learn to do things in new ways, to help and look out for each other and obey orders (discipline). To survive under adverse conditions. And how to function as good soldiers [2 Timothy 2:3-4].
   Do not conform to the fashion of this world; but be transformed by the complete change that has come over your minds, so that you may discern what God’s will is — all that is good, acceptable, and perfect [Romans 12:2 (OEB)].

2. Sin no more

   Follow Christ, no longer doing sinful things. Live holy. For at one time you lived in sin, following the ways of the world, in subjection to the Ruler of the powers of the air — the Spirit who is still at work among the disobedient [Ephesians 2:2 (OEB)].

3. Good advice

   Do you know what is right or wrong with your life? Does your Christian life please God? Is He ashamed of you? Get advice from Godly people.
   The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong. 31 They have made God’s law their own, so they will never slip from his path [Psalms 37:30-31 (NLT)].

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Introduction

Objective

This is a Bible study of “Christian life“. The goal is to give a broad range of Scriptures to make it clear that once you have Christ in your life you will not stay the same. Your life will change in the best ways for your good—the moral good.

Grace Life

For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift.

17 For while the Law was given through Moses, grace ^[a] (unearned, undeserved favor and spiritual blessing) and truth came through Jesus Christ [John 1:16-17 (AMPC)].

^[a] Footnote: John 1:17 Richard Trench, Synonyms of the New Testament.

Life under grace is different from life under the Law that God gave Moses (the Mosaic Law). Those under the Law wore garments with fringes {tassels}. Used to remind them of all the commandments of the LORD. Also to help them try to obey the Law [Numbers 15:37-41; many sources say there are 613 commandments ⁽¹⁾].

Grace Laws are written in your heart—not a set of rules that you have to memorize. In this Christian life, under grace, the Holy Spirit of God lives inside. It guides and helps you live a life that is pleasing to God.

Yet when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of his own accord; but whatever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come [John 16:13 (RKJNT)].

Please enjoy this Bible study. It has many scriptures to help you better understand a Biblical view of living a Christian life. If you like challenges, there are three study challenges to help learn how to study the Bible. Are you up for a few challenges?

Skip to the end.

Your Old Life

Christian life part 1 – say goodbye to the former you.

When you finish this series you will have a pretty good understanding of the changes that will or should happen in your Christian life. Are you excited about what God is doing for you?

So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry. 6 For the wrath of God will come [upon disobedient people] for practicing such things.

But now you also should stop practicing them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, filthy language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put away [the conduct of] your old person with its practices, 10 and have put on the new person, who is being [daily] renewed with full knowledge, according to the image of God, who [re-] created him [Colossians 3:5-6 and 8-10 (AUV)].

Now you are a new person.

Former habits

Evil ways should no longer be a part of your life. Get rid of your old/former habits.

Do you not know that sinful men will have no place in the holy nation of God? Do not be fooled. A person who does sex sins, or who worships false gods, or who is not faithful in marriage, or men who act like women, or people who do sex sins with their own sex, will have no place in the holy nation of God.

10 Also those who steal, or those who always want to get more of everything, or who get drunk, or who say bad things about others, or take things that are not theirs, will have no place in the holy nation of God [1 Corinthians 6:9-10 (NLV)].

Self awareness

Awareness is important to your new life. Know that the things your old-self did may still want to control you. So be careful. Avoid sex sins, sinful desires, wild living, and hate. Do not be jealous, angry, or argue. Was the old you selfish? Did you cause other people to split up? Be careful, these behaviors do not please God [Galatians 5:19-21].

⚔ Christian life challenge #1

Important: this challenge is for those who are ready for advanced study everyone else should skip it.

Note: I chose to use studylight.org and biblestudytools.com for the following reasons:

1. They allow the choice of ‘Pauline Epistles’ {letter written by Paul} to filter the results (ideal for this challenge) [explore this feature in both tools: both offer the option immediately below the search box; st.o’s “in:” and bst.c “filter results:”].
2. Both give the best contextual view: some tools will only show the preceding and following verse (i.e., Ephesians 1:5-7 instead of the full context Ephesians 1:3-11 or 1:1-11).
3. We can do compound searches and use basic boolean algebra operations (for advanced research); example:
   • if you decide to check two phrases at once enter “which things” OR “wrath of God”.
     • The above search checks each passage of Pauline letter for either “which things” or “wrath of God”.
     • if we chose to check the Pauline letters for that contain both “which things” and “wrath of God”; enter “which things” AND “wrath of God”.
   • NOTE 1) the boolean algebra operations, OR/AND, must be in all capital letters. 2) enclose phrases in double quotes ” not single quotes ‘.
4. A key difference between the two tools: when you select all translations studylight.org is easier to navigate.
5. The most significant difference for this challenge, biblestudytools.com gives options for “footnotes” and “Strongs numbers“.

Follow the links to complete the challenge

1. Method one

   Finding common phrases:

   1. The links are studylight.org and biblestudytools.com.
   2. I pre-selected the phrases “which things” OR “wrath of God” from Colossians 3:6 to find other sins listed in the Pauline letters using biblestudytools.com.
      1. for this part of the challenge take note of the 6 results.
      2. click/tap on Ephesians 5:6 KJV.
      3. click/tap ‘Read Ephesians 5:6 in context‘.
      4. now you should see Ephesians 5:1-11 (King James Version) if not don’t worry click/tap here.
      5. read all the verses and then focus on verses 3 through 5 to get more sins to add to your list.
      6. click on each of the sins to get the KJV NT Greek Lexicon.
         • Be sure to read the definitions, make note of the Strong’s numbers and the transliterated words.
         • Take time to explore the KJV Verse Count.
      7. recommendation: choose the Good News Translation using the drop-down arrow to the right of King James Version and reread all verses. If you had a problem click/tap here.

2. Method two

   Take advantage of resources provided by others:

   1. The link is studybible.info.
   2. I pre-selected Colossians 3:6 Cross References – KJV.
      • unfortunately, with this tool we could not filter the results, we do have one of the best online cross-referencing tools; so we not only have non-Pauline letters but also Scriptures from the OT (another short-coming, but this is free).
      • click/tap on Ephesians 5:6.
      • now either replace Ephesians 5:6 in the far left search box (located above Study Bible>Bible Versions…) or select Ephesians 5 (located immediately above the large font Ephesians 5:6).
      • read all of Ephesians 5.
      • now focus on verses 3 through 5 to get more sins to add to your list.

end of challenge #1.

♥ Question for Christian life – ‘your old life’: Has your life changed yet or are you still in transition?

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Repent and Change

Christian life part 2 – the beginning of your new life.

You exist because of the living God who will judge all (mankind). It is important that you do as He says. For those who believe in God, repentance is required. If you want to be saved from eternal death, it is not an option [Luke 24:47 and Acts 2:38].

The sorrow that God uses makes people sorry for their sin [feel guilty] and leads them to turn from sin [repent] so they can be saved from the punishment of sin. We should be happy for that kind of sorrow, but the sorrow of this world brings death [2 Corinthians 7:10 (NLV)].

Have you experienced times when you know what you are doing is wrong and you feel guilty? That is what Paul is talking about; it is when you feel guilty of sin that you should confess your sins and repent. I realize you may not relate sin to the word guilt/guilty. Conviction/guilt of sin come before repentance/confession; do you understand this? Please let me know if I need to give more detail on this matter.

Living a Christian Life

Paul wrote to the Corinthians in his second letter warning to repent. Their lives apparently had not changed for the moral good.

For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I may not find you to be what I desire, and that you may find me to be what you do not desire; that perhaps there may be contention, jealousy, bitter feeling, party spirit, ill-natured talk, backbiting, undue eulogy, unrest;

21 and that upon re-visiting you I may be humbled by my God in your presence, and may have to mourn over many whose hearts still cling to their old sins, and who have not repented of the impurity, fornication, and gross sensuality, of which they have been guilty [2 Corinthians 12:20-21 (WNT)].

Solomon’s prayer

In 1 Kings chapter 8 Solomon prayed for the children of Israel asking God to hear their prayers. That is if they met the condition of repenting and confessing their sins.

“When your people sin against you — and there is no one who does not sin — and in your anger you let their enemies defeat them and take them as prisoners to some other land, even if that land is far away, 47 listen to your people’s prayers. If there in that land they repent and pray to you, confessing how sinful and wicked they have been, hear their prayers, O Lord [1 Kings 8:46-48 (GNT)].

Repentance

Repentance is that change of a sinner’s mind which leads him to turn from his evil ways and live. The change wrought in repentance is so deep and radical as to affect the whole spiritual nature and to involve the entire personality. The intellect must function, the emotions must be aroused, and the will must act – ISBE ⁽²⁾.

G3340 μετανοέω metanoeo (me-ta-no-e’-ō) v. 1. to have a change of mind and heart, i.e. to reconsider and relent. 2. (morally) to have remorse and repent. KJV: repent.

Usage example: Paul used metanoeo in Acts 2:38. Then Peter said: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (NSB).

G3341 μετάνοια metanoia (me-ta’-noi-a) n. 1. (subjectively) remorse and repentance for wrongdoing, including as necessary, restitution. 2. (by implication) a change (reversal) of one’s mind for better with hatred of one’s past sins. KJV: repentance.

Usage example: Jesus used metanoia in Luke 24:47. And that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem (RKJNT).

Confession

Confession is the acknowledgment of a crime, fault or something to one’s disadvantage. Open declaration of guilt, failure, debt, accusation, etc. – Webster’s 1828 Dictionary ⁽³⁾.

G3670 ὁμολογέω homologeo (ho-mo-lo-ǰe’-ō) v. 1. to affirm. 2. to admit, acknowledge. 3. (specially) to confess (guilt). KJV: con- (pro-)fess, confession is made, give thanks, promise.

Usage example: James used homologeo in 1 John 1:9. [But] if we confess our sins [to God], He is faithful [to His promise] and righteous [in His judgment], and will forgive us of those sins and cleanse us from all of our wrongdoing (AUV).

G3671 ὁμολογία homologia (ho-mo-lo-ǰiy’-a) n. acknowledgment. KJV: con- (pro-)fession, professed.

Usage example: Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) (KJV).

One might ask, is it true repentance when a person responds to someone telling them to repeat a “sinners” prayer? Oh, we must dig into this further, but not at this time. Keep this thought in mind, God knows our heart and attitude. Only He knows when we are truly sorry for our sins.

I pray that God touches your heart with this word and that you apply His word to your life. Amen.

♥ Question for Christian life – ‘repent/change’: Have you repented, i.e., asked God to forgive you and changed your ways?

Skip to the end.

Your New Life

Christian life part 3 – living your new life. Follow the Spirit

You have a new life in Christ a Christian Life. Make your thoughts and desires about the hope and promise of heaven; “things above”. Living for Jesus should be your primary desire. When you repented and were baptized, the old you died [Romans 6:4].

Now that you have been born again, become more like Jesus daily and the things of this world will become less important.

Colossians 3:2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (RKJNT)

Romans 8:5 They who follow their earthly nature are earthly-minded, while they who follow the Spirit are spiritually minded. (OEB)

The world

You are in this world—on the earth—but not of this world. Unlike many in the world, your life is not defined by your zip code (place of residence), the car you drive or what you wear. You should show a Christian—Christ-like—life.

Paul explains certain aspects of the Christian life later in the letter to the church in Colosse; see chapter 3 verses 5-10 below.

I have given them your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

15 I do not pray that you would take them out of the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

17 Sanctify them in the truth: your word is truth. 18 As you have sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world [John 17:14-18 (RKJNT)].

⚔ Christian life challenge #2

Note: I added the Greek translation, definition, etc. for fornication only. [Skip this challenge]

So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality [fornication], [moral] impurity [uncleanness], lust [inordinate affection], evil desires [evil concupiscence] and greed [covetousness], which is [in reality] idolatry [Colossians 3:5 (AUV)].

Find the definition of the KJV words/phrase: uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness. Follow this link blueletterbible.org to complete the challenge.

fornication

• G4202 πορνεία porneia por-ni’-ah 1) illicit sexual intercourse (adultery, fornication, homosexuality, lesbianism, intercourse with animals etc.). 2) sexual intercourse with close relatives; Leviticus 18. 3) sexual intercourse with a divorced man or woman; Mark 10:11 ⁽⁴⁾
• the following definitions come from Mickelson’s ⁽⁵⁾ 1) prostitution (including adultery, incest, and porn). 2) (by extension) unwedded stimulation or fulfillment of sexual desire. 3) (figuratively) idolatry.

end of challenge #2.

The new person

[I am] assuming that you have heard Him [i.e., through the Gospel message] and were taught the truth that is in [harmony with] Jesus. 22 You were [taught] to put away [the conduct of] your former lifestyle, your old person who is being corrupted by deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in your inner person.

24 And you should put on the new person who has been [re-] created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness [Ephesians 4:21-24 (AUV)]

Next

In the Christian Life ‘Love’ we will review Romans 8:6. Stay with me and understand I love you and want the best for you. So I do my best to give sound truth to liberate you. Do all you can to live a Christian life that is pleasing to God. Bless you!

♥ Question for Christian life – ‘your new life’: Are these studies helping you in your new life?

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Love

Christian life part 4 – LOVE. Such a small word but a big part of your new life.

A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, so you also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another [John 13:34-35 (RKJNT)].

In your Christian life, be encouraged to love your Christian brothers and sisters sincerely. When they are happy, rejoice and when they are sad, weep with them. Remember you are one of the many parts of the body of Christ [read Romans 12:9-21]!

Do you love your fellow Christians as much as you love yourself? Do you love yourself? I do realize we are unique people; some may not know what it is like to love someone. Romans 12:9-21 is a good summary of the God-pleasing way to live a Christian life.

1 Peter 1:22-25 Since you have purified your souls by obeying the truth, so you have a sincere love of the brethren; love one another fervently from the heart.

23 You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever. 24 For, All flesh is like grass, and all its glory is like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls away,

25 But the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word that was preached to you. (RKJNT)

⚔ Christian life challenge #3

[Skip this challenge] For the babes in Christ and those who can not make time to study (complete the challenge) try reading these verses—9 through 21—in another or other translations. If you are on-the-go try this audio of Romans 12. For the babes in Christ i.e., the new Christian, please use the translation that your Spiritual leader recommends. When you finish reading go on to Loving God.

NOTE: This section is for the advanced or mature in the Christian life. I recommend trying all three tools to find the one that works best for you. Use one of the tools Blue Letter Bible || Online Bible Study Tools || StudyLight.org to get the Greek words and meanings of the words in blue/bold. Caution: do not skip a word when you think you already know the meaning; two good examples for this Christian life challenge are the words love and evil.

Romans 12:9-21

• 9 – Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
• 10 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
• 11 – Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
• 12 – Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
• 13 – Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
• 14 – Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
• 15 – Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
• 16 – Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
• 17 – Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
• 18 – If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
• 19 – Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
• 20 – Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
• 21 – Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good (KJV).

Was this challenge: easy, difficult, too long or confusing? Please explain your answer in the comment area below. end of challenge #3

Love God

If a man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him, That he who loves God must also love his brother [1 John 4:20-21 (RKJNT)].

The core—base element—the foundation and proof of our love for God is our love for each other. Live a Christian life that is pleasing to God standing on faith, praying in the Spirit. Always loving our fellow Christians and God, expecting salvation by His mercy.

Keep yourselves in God’s love [i.e., continue to love God], as you look forward to [receiving] the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who will grant you] never ending life [Jude 1:21 (AUV)].

Love each other

Do you love God? Show Him how much you love Him by loving each other.

So, as God’s elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13 Tolerate one another’s [weaknesses] and forgive each other if anyone [of you] has a complaint against someone else. You should forgive people just as the Lord forgave you.

14 And beyond all these things, clothe yourselves with love, which binds these things together in complete [unity] [Colossians 3:12-14 (AUV)].

Full of love

The Lord is full of love because He is love [1 John 4:8 and 16]. Love is a key part of your life in Christ. So strive to be full of love (walk in it).

Love means that we should live by obeying His Word. From the beginning He has said in His Word that our hearts should be full of love [2 John 1:6 (NLV)].

♥ Question for Christian life – ‘love’: Is your life in Christ full of love?

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Christian Life wrap-up

When you were servants of sin you were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had you at that time in the things which are now a shame to you? for the end of such things is death.

22 But now, being free from sin, and having been made servants to God, you have your fruit in that which is holy, and the end is eternal life. 23 For the reward of sin is death;

but what God freely gives is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord [Romans 6:20-23 (BBE)].

It is good to know that our ways and thoughts get better during our Spiritual journey to be with God. The things we do, the way we treat others and our self-improve in ways that please God. We desire to hear God say “well done…”

“I know your deeds, love, faithfulness, service, and endurance. Your labors greatly increase in quality as you travel along this journey” [Revelation 2:19 (The Voice)].

Good changes

Living a Christian life is worth every struggle and hardship. Know that you are part of a Spiritual family that has an inheritance of eternal life. It is the promise of our Father in heaven. Cherish your life, i.e. your Christian life, and make good changes as you grow.

Don’t change yourselves to be like the people of this world, but let God change you inside with a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to understand and accept what God wants for you. You will be able to know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect [Romans 12:2 (ERV)].

My love to you and your loved ones—be blessed! ♥ Tim. ☺

♥ Question for ‘Christian Life’: Is it difficult to live a Christian life? If your answer is yes, why is it difficult?

Scriptures to read and study

Summary: 1 Peter 1:13-21 [(13-17); ref Leviticus 11:44,45]. 2 Timothy 2:1-13 (3-4); Romans 2:1-16 (2); Ephesians 2:1-10 (2); Psalms 37:30-31.

Intro: John 1:14-18 (16-17); Numbers 15:37-41; John 16:5-15 (13).

Old Life: Colossians 3:1-11 [(5-6 and 8-9); {reference Scriptures for Colossians 3:5 are: Ephesians 4:22, 5:3 and 5. 1 Thessalonians 4:5}. {The reference Scriptures for Colossians 3:6 are: 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (9-10); Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-5; Revelation 22:15}]. Ephesians 1:1-11 (5-6) and 5:1-7 (5).

Repent and Change: Acts 17:15-34 (30); Luke 24:44-49 (47); Acts 2:14-39 (38); 2 Corinthians 7:2-12 (10); 2 Corinthians 12:14-21 (20-21). 1 Kings 8:22-53 (46-48).

New Life: Colossians 3:1-11 (2 and 6-10); Romans 6:1-14 (4) and 8:1-11 (5). John 17:6-18 (14-18).

Love: Romans 12:9-21(9); John 13:31-35 (34-35); 1 Peter 1:22-25 (22); 1 John 4:20-21; Jude 1:20-23 (21); Colossians 3:12-17 (12-14).

Wrap-up: Romans 6:15-23 (20-23); Revelation 2:18-29 (19); Romans 12:1-2 (2).

Related studies/lessons/snacks for further Spiritual growth:

Changed Life: Experience Your Best Using God’s Free Gift – an estimated 19-minute read.

Born Again By The Holy Spirit; Your Spiritual Birth – an estimated 19-minute read.

Spiritual Attitude – The Right Mindset Is “I Can Do” – an estimated 23-minute read.

Repentance – a Change of Life That Leads to Salvation! – an estimated 23-minute read.

Worship God In Spirit And Truth; That Pleases Him! – an estimated 5-minute read.

See what is available on the Sound Truth Ministry website.

Resources:

⁽¹⁾ The 613 Commandments – Mitzvahs & Traditions. ⁽²⁾ International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia. ⁽³⁾ King James Bible Dictionary. ⁽⁴⁾ G4202 blueletterbible.org ⁽⁵⁾ Mickelson’s Enhanced Strong’s Greek and Hebrew Dictionaries courtesy of theWord (download it and if you like it please send a donation to the author).