BEING AN EVERYDAY CHRISTIAN

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

                One of the things that retirement gives to a person is time. Up to this point in my life, my time has been dominated by either school or work. These dictated how I would use my time. Now, in retirement, my time is my own. It is up to me how I use my time.

                I have been thinking a lot about what it means for me to live out my faith in retirement. Up to this point, my days have been focused on religious activities. I spent my time reading spiritual books, preparing Bible studies and sermons, counseling people, leading small groups, and preaching. My job was faith focused and so I felt that I was living the Christian life. But now that I am not doing all of those things, what does it mean for me to live the Christian life?

                The vast majority of Christians in the world live their lives within a secular environment. They do not work within the Church as an occupation. Instead, they are plumbers, carpenters, store clerks, factory workers, doctors and lawyers. Much of their day is consumed by activities that would not be considered to be spiritual. So, what does it mean to be an everyday Christian in our world? How do we live out our faith on a daily basis?

                I don’t believe that a person has to be involved in some kind of religious activity to live out their faith. When God created Adam and Eve, He did not give them a church building to maintain, but a garden. God wants us to live out our faith in the world around us, not just inside the walls of a church building. So, what does that look like.

                When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He responded with a two-fold agenda for living the Christian life. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)

                If I love another person, I will do what pleases them. To love God on a daily basis is to live a life that would please Him. That means doing my best at whatever I do. It means being conscientious. It also means living with God in mind. It is not just living a moral life, but living a life aligned with the values and purposes of God. It is living in relationship with Christ in practical ways. Paul challenged the Colossians, and us, to see our “jobs” as an act of service for Christ. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:22-24)

                The second half of Jesus’ response makes living the Christian life very practical. We are to love others as ourselves. Jesus said that the way that others will know we are His disciples is if we love one another as He has loved us. This means that we are to seek the best for the community in which we live. We are to seek the best for the people we come in contact with. Paul called this living a life worthy of our calling. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (Ephesians 4:1-2) A few verses later Paul again gives us some practical guidance for being an everyday Christian.

    Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

    Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:25-32)

    Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

                Bottom-line, being an everyday Christian means living in the constant reality that God is not just watching, but that He is walking beside us in everything that we do. It is consciously doing everything for the glory of God.

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. (Colossians 1:10-12)