Do you conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ?

 Let the Word of God renew your mind and conform you to the image of Jesus Christ!

My Dear Readers

In this article, and indeed in all my articles, the person that I am addressing first and foremost is the man that stares back at me when I look in the mirror. I sincerely strive to ensure that the man I see when I look in the mirror reflects Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour. If you are like me, which I suspect you are, I have to work hard at it every day. As the Apostle Pauls says in Phillipians 2:12, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Is your behaviour and manner of life worthy of your salvation in Christ Jesus?

Does your lifestyle, your speech, your behaviour towards God and your fellow man reflect Jesus at all times?

Colossians 1:9-10

9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.

Titus 3:1-2 (NLT)

Remind the believers to submit to the government and its officers. They should be obedient, always ready to do what is good. 2 They must not slander anyone and must avoid quarreling. Instead, they should be gentle and show true humility to everyone.

As a born again Christian, are you an imitator of Christ in all things?

Ephesians 5:1 (NLT)

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Are you obedient to the Word of God, the Bible?

John 14:15 (NIV)

If you love me, keep my commands.

Are you a doer of the Word and not just a reader?

Luke 11:28 (NIV)

He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”

Are you doing the things that the Lord predestined you to do long ago?

Ephesians 2:8-10 (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

We are not saved by works only by the blood of Jesus, but God created us to do good works, but only the predestined works we do in Christ Jesus are valid in the eyes of God.

Are you doing God things and not just good things?

Are you living life in the Spirit?

Let’s take time to reflect on the above questions and sincerely, honestly and wholeheartedly examine ourselves against the Christian’s lifestyle manual given to us by God himself – the pure and unadulterated Word of God, your Holy Bible! The Word that became flesh and walked among us, the Word that was with God before the creation of the world! The Word that is the bread of life. The Word that brings out from us rivers of living water. The Word that conforms us to Christ’s image!

John 1:1-3 (NIV)

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

John 1:14 (NIV)

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 6:35 (NIV)

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

John 4:13-14 (NIV)

13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

Are you being led by the Holy Spirit who teaches us the truth of all things? If you truly love Jesus, you must keep His commands and the Holy Spirit will lead you in all things!

John 14:15-18 (NIV)

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

I ask you again: “Are you living a life that is worthy of the Gospel of Christ Jesus?”

Are you living a life in the flesh (still willfully sinful) or are you living life in the Spirit as Jesus did? Do you still do whatever you want or are you totally in submission to God and His Word? Because if you do still live in the flesh, you cannot please God!

Romans 5:5-8 (NIV)

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. 6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

Galatians 5:16-18 (NIV)

16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

Do you still swear and use foul language as part of your everyday speech, and do you still willfully act in other evil ways that are contrary to the Bible? Do you still tell lies? Are you still a friend of the world? A friend of the world is an enemy of God!

James 4:4 (AMP)

You adulteresses [disloyal sinners—flirting with the world and breaking your vow to God]! Do you not know that being the world’s friend [that is, loving the things of the world] is being God’s enemy? So whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Do not leave yourselves open to the wrath of God! Do not become an idolater! Once you give your life to Jesus make sure that you allow God’s s sanctification process to work in you as you walk to spiritual maturity – in this way you will become more and more Christlike.

Colossians 3:5-10 (NIV)

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Are you bearing plenty of good fruit and bringing glory to the Lord? Does your life reflect and manifest the fruit of the Spirit? Are you living at peace with others or are your actions self-serving, giving no thought towards others? Do you consider others before yourself?

John 15:8 (NIV)

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Galations 5:22-26 (NIV)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV)

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

A true believer will, from the heart, act in a manner that is worthy of the Gospel – the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus. When each believer conducts himself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ then we are standing firmly in the one Spirit – it is the unity of the Holy Spirit that brings all glory, honour and praise to Jesus our Lord and Saviour!

Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)

27 Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel 28 without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. 29 For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, 30 since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

John 16:33 (AMP)

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.]

The love of God + Jesus as Lord and Saviour (being born again) + Knowledge of the Bible + Living life in the Spirit = an effective Christian that loves Jesus and keeps His commands – a doer of the Word – a true man of faith! A person that lives in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus.

1 John 4:19-21 (NIV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 21 And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.

John 3:3-7 (NIV)

3 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”

4 “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. 7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NIV)

13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Matthew 4:4 (AMP)

But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’” (Dt 8:3)

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

James 1:22 (AMP)

But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

Hebrews 11:6 (AMP)

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.

Dear readers, I do hope these verses have convinced you to realise that a thoroughly good knowledge and understanding of the Bible is of paramount importance to every born-again Christian! Without this knowledge and understanding your walk to maturity in Christ Jesus will be fraught with doubt, unbelief, backsliding, and not forgetting to mention disappointment and ineffectiveness in completing your God given purpose on earth!

Without a good knowledge of the Bible, without the leading of the Holy Spirit and without being a doer of the Word and without the love of God in you, you will be unable to live a life worthy of the gospel of Christ Jesus and you will not be truly born-again, you will not truly belong to Jesus.

Beware of the devil's trap of being a lukewarm Christian that becomes so sour in the Lord's mouth that He will spew you out!

Matthew 7:21-23 (NIV)

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

Revelation 3:16 (NIV)

 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 

Prayer
Dear Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would help me to live my life in the Spirit and not in the flesh. Help me to know your Word and to do what it instructs in complete obedience. Help me to love as you love. Amen!

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!