The Christian Life

1. Knowing God's Truth Fuels Christian Living

The conviction that Christian doctrine matters for Christian living is one of the most important growth points of the Christian life.

Doctrine and Practice. Christian living isn't just about doing good; it's rooted in understanding God's truth. Doctrine, often seen as abstract, is the very foundation for practical Christian living. The Bible emphasizes that how we think directly influences how we live. Jesus himself taught doctrine to equip his followers for daily life, not just for intellectual understanding.

Biblical Examples. Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is a doctrinal sermon, teaching about God's nature and ways as the basis for practical behavior. Paul's letters repeatedly ask, "Do you not know?" emphasizing the importance of understanding basic Christian truths. The lives of influential Christians throughout history demonstrate that those who have had the most practical impact were also students of Christian doctrine.

Practical Application. We must rethink our personal response to doctrine, integrating it into our spiritual experience. Doctrine is not impractical or useless; it is the very foundation of stability and grace in our lives. The more we understand God's mercies, the more fully we will live for Christ.

2. Sin Distorts God's Image, Requiring Salvation

The plain truth is that a right knowledge of sin lies at the root of all saving Christianity.

Defaced Image. Humanity was created in God's image, meant to reflect His holy character and rule over creation. However, sin has defaced this image, distorting our relationships with God, others, and ourselves. Instead of reflecting God's glory, we often reflect the antithesis of God.

Consequences of Sin. Sin has brought us under the dominion of sin and death, making us powerless to free ourselves. We are guilty before God, facing His wrath, and are under the influence of Satan. This condition highlights our desperate need for salvation.

Gospel's Answer. The gospel meets our need by offering re-creation in Christ, restoring the image of God. It delivers us from sin's dominion, rescues us from Satan's power, and saves us from God's wrath. Christ came as the Second Adam to undo what was lost in the first, offering a salvation that makes us like Christ.

3. God's Grace Follows a Divine Plan

It is fundamental to all Christian thinking to believe that God is a planning God.

God's Purpose. God works according to a plan, not by chance. This plan is a source of great encouragement, assuring us that nothing escapes His overarching purpose. Even the circumstances of our lives are used for our blessing, working together to make us like Christ.

Biblical Framework. Romans 8:28-30 outlines the plan of salvation: foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. Ephesians 1:3-14 emphasizes that all spiritual blessings are ours in Christ. John 1:12-13 highlights the new birth as the beginning of our personal experience of God's plan.

Practical Implications. Understanding God's plan leads to humility, as we recognize the depth of His love. It also brings assurance, as we see that our salvation is secure in Christ. Ultimately, it leads to worship, as we praise God for His great purposes.

4. God's Call Initiates the Christian Life

We became Christians because God called us.

Divine Summons. Becoming a Christian begins with God's call, a summons to acknowledge Him. This call is not just a general invitation but a personal address from the Shepherd to His sheep. Those who are aware of their sinfulness "hear" the voice of Christ, while others remain deaf.

Old Testament Roots. In the Old Testament, God's call is both a summons and a creative act, bringing His people into being. However, it also includes a call that is often rejected. This tension between God's powerful call and human rejection continues in the New Testament.

General and Effectual Call. God's general call is through creation and the gospel, but His effectual call is a personal, powerful summons that brings new life. This call is from the Father, in the power of the Spirit, and by grace, leading to holiness and heaven.

5. Conviction of Sin Precedes True Faith

The Spirit convicts us of sin in order to bring us to Christ.

Awakening to Need. God's call often awakens us to our spiritual need, bringing a sense of horror at our condition before God. This conviction of sin is a necessary step in the Christian life, revealing our guilt and helplessness. It is not something we create, but a work of the Holy Spirit.

Spirit's Ministry. The Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He exposes our unbelief, reveals Christ's righteousness, and demonstrates the judgment of Satan. This conviction leads to a reversal of our thinking, where we see our guilt and Christ's innocence.

Purpose of Conviction. Conviction is not an end in itself but a means to bring us to Christ. It produces humility, as we are silenced before God, and thankfulness, as we grasp the measure of His grace. The depth of conviction varies, but its purpose is always to draw us to faith.

6. Regeneration: A Divine New Birth

The new birth is not something we can do.

New Creation. Regeneration, or the new birth, is a fundamental imparting of new life by God. It is described in Scripture through images of birth, creation, and resurrection. It is not something we can achieve ourselves but a divine act in which we are the recipients.

Necessity of New Birth. Jesus emphasized that being born again is essential for seeing and entering the kingdom of God. This is because human nature is powerless to produce spiritual life, and we are blind to spiritual realities. Only a work of the Spirit can bring us into the kingdom of the Spirit.

Character of Regeneration. The new birth is heavenly in origin, sovereignly bestowed, and totally transforming. It illuminates the mind, purifies the heart, renews desires, and begins a new life. It is a miracle of grace that makes us children of God.

7. Faith: The Bridge to Christ

Faith is a great biblical word, but its currency has been taken over, unfortunately, by religious language in general.

More Than Belief. Faith is not just intellectual assent but a living, personal trust in Christ. It involves knowledge of God, assent to the truth about Christ, and a complete surrender of our lives to Him. It is a costly thing, requiring us to forsake everything for His sake.

Old Testament Roots. In the Old Testament, faith is expressed through trust and obedience to God's word. It is a forward-looking trust in God's promises, which find their fulfillment in Christ. Hebrews 11 highlights the faith of Old Testament heroes.

New Testament Emphasis. In the New Testament, faith is the means by which we receive Christ and all the blessings of the Christian life. It is a gift of God's grace, not something we can produce ourselves. It is the instrument by which we are united to Christ.

8. Repentance: Turning Back to God

Repentance unto life is a saving grace, whereby a sinner, out of a true sense of his sin, and apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, doth, with grief and hatred of his sin, turn from it unto God, with full purpose of, and endeavour after, new obedience.

More Than Regret. Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sins but a turning away from them and back to God. It involves a sense of shame, humbling, sorrow, and a distaste for sin. It is a change of direction, a return to God.

Old Testament Perspective. In the Old Testament, repentance is associated with external expressions of sorrow and a return to God's covenant. The prophets emphasized the need for inward, not just outward, repentance. It is a return to God in a spiritual and moral sense.

New Testament Understanding. True repentance is based on an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ. It is a gift of the gospel, a work of grace that leads us to a new life. It is a continuous process, not just a one-time event.

9. Justification: Declared Righteous by God

The glory of the gospel is that God has declared Christians to be rightly related to him in spite of their sin.

Legal Declaration. Justification is a legal term, meaning to be declared righteous in God's sight. It is not about making us righteous but about constituting us righteous by declaration. It is the opposite of condemnation, a divine verdict that changes our status before God.

Basis of Justification. God does not justify us based on our works or character but on the work of Christ. Christ's perfect obedience and sacrificial death are the grounds for our justification. He bore our guilt so that we might be declared righteous.

By Faith Alone. Justification is received by faith, not by works. Faith is the instrument by which we receive God's grace and the righteousness of Christ. It is a gift of God, not something we earn. It is a free and unmerited gift.

10. Adoption: Becoming God's Beloved Children

God lifts us not only from what we are by nature to what Adam was in the Garden of Eden, but to what Adam was to become in the presence of God, and would have been had he persevered in obedience.

More Than Justification. Adoption is not the same as justification or regeneration. It is a distinct privilege that brings us into God's family as His beloved children. It is a gift that gives us a new status and a new nature.

Roman Law Background. The concept of adoption is likely drawn from Roman law, where it was about the benefits to the adopter. This reminds us that our adoption is ultimately for God's glory. It is a restoration of the image of God in us.

Spirit of Adoption. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of adoption, giving us a sense of belonging to God's family. He leads us, enables us to cry "Abba, Father," and testifies to our sonship. It is a heavenly birth that makes us part of God's family.

11. Union with Christ: The Core of Christian Life

From beginning to end all blessings are ours in Christ.

Central Truth. Union with Christ is a core doctrine, the foundation of all spiritual experience and blessings. It is described as being "in Christ" and Christ being "in" the believer. It is a mystery revealed in the gospel.

Old Testament Roots. The idea of union and communion is rooted in the Old Testament, particularly in the covenant relationship between God and His people. The concept of representative personality also plays a role.

Nature of Union. Union with Christ is federal, carnal, by faith, spiritual, extensive, and a union of life. It is a bond created by God, in which we share in Christ's life, death, and resurrection. It is the source of all our blessings.

12. Election: God's Sovereign Choice and Love

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Eternal Purpose. Election and predestination are about God's eternal purposes for His people. Election is God's choice of His people, and predestination is their divinely ordained destiny. It is a source of joy and encouragement.

Old Testament Emphasis. In the Old Testament, God's choice of Israel is a central theme. It is a sovereign act of love, not based on merit. The prophets emphasized that Israel was chosen for service, not for self-glory.

New Testament Teaching. Jesus taught that the Father's will is the basis of salvation. Paul emphasized that God's choice is the foundation of our Christian experience. Election is not a source of controversy but a cause for praise.

13. Sin's Dominion Ended: Freedom in Christ

We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?

Radical Change. The new birth brings a radical change in our relationship with sin. We have died to sin, meaning its dominion over us has been broken. We are no longer slaves to sin, though it still remains in us.

Union with Christ. Our death to sin is accomplished through union with Christ. We were baptized into His death and resurrection, sharing in His victory over sin. This union means that we are no longer under sin's authority.

Practical Implications. This truth has practical implications for our daily lives. We are to live as those who have been freed from sin, not allowing it to reign in our bodies. We are to live in the newness of life that is ours in Christ.

14. The Christian's Conflicts: A Necessary Battle

The Christian life is not all smiles; but neither is it all tears.

Interim Period. The Christian life is lived between the first and second comings of Christ. It is a time of both victory and conflict, as we experience the blessings of salvation while still battling against sin. We live "between the times."

Sources of Conflict. The Christian faces conflict from three sources: the world, the flesh, and the devil. The world seeks to conform us to its values, the flesh tempts us with sinful desires, and the devil seeks to deceive and destroy us.

Spiritual Warfare. The Christian life is a spiritual battle, requiring us to be vigilant and to put on the full armor of God. We must recognize the nature of our enemies and rely on God's power to overcome them. It is a battle that we are equipped to win.

15. Crucifying Sin: A Daily Act of Obedience

The very character of our calling is a determining factor in our witness.

Mortification of Sin. Crucifying sin is a daily act of obedience, a refusal to allow sin to control us. It is not about self-inflicted pain but about a radical rejection of sin's influence in our lives. It is a necessary part of Christian living.

Not Self-Righteousness. We must not try to crucify sin through self-made rules or legalistic practices. True mortification is rooted in our union with Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. It is a work of grace, not of human effort.

Practical Steps. We must recognize sin for what it is, bring it into the light of God's presence, recall the shame of past sin, remember our union with Christ, and prayerfully seek the fruit of the Spirit. It is a battle that we must fight daily.

16. Perseverance: God's Grace to the End

'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.

Assurance of Perseverance. The New Testament assures us that God will enable His children to persevere to the end. This is not based on our strength but on God's faithfulness and power. It is a promise rooted in His love and purpose.

Means of Perseverance. God provides means for our perseverance, including His word, obedience to duties, and Christian fellowship. These are not optional extras but essential for our spiritual growth and endurance.

Hindrances to Perseverance. We must be aware of the hindrances to perseverance, such as a hardened heart, a superficial faith, and the cares of this world. These are dangers that we must guard against.

17. Asleep in Christ: Hope Beyond Death

The gospel does not make us like Adam in his innocence - it makes us like Christ, in all the perfection of his reflection of God.

Transition Point. Death is a transition point in the Christian life, not an end. It is a time when we are released from the struggles of this world and enter into the presence of Christ. It is a sleep in Christ, not a final defeat.

Hope of Resurrection. The Christian's hope is not just in death but in the resurrection. We will be raised with Christ, transformed into His likeness, and share in His eternal glory. Death is not the end but a gateway to a new life.

Practical Implications. This hope should shape our lives, giving us a perspective that transcends this world. It should motivate us to live for Christ, knowing that our ultimate destiny is with Him. It is a hope that sustains us through all of life's trials.

Last updated: January 18, 2025