The Normal Christian Life, part 4

So how then should we live?

We aren’t given a “pass” during different seasons of life to forsake our first love and make idols of our business, marriage, children, or job. This doesn’t mean we need to be legalistic and wake up with a check list of “things to do for God” each morning, but it does mean that whenever our relationship with Christ is not the most important thing in our life—there is sin and we desperately need to get back in alignment with our Lord. So, if there are no biblical categories for “on fire” Christians, but just one way that we are each called to live, then what is the “normal” Christian life?
Here is a short list…obviously this can be expanded and scripture has so much to say about each one. This also isn’t a check list that you “must do” out of legalism or obligation, but more of a way to examine your heart and test yourself.

1)We are called to be living sacrifices.—Romans 12:1-3
Every single one of us is called to be a living sacrifice to God. What an extreme and stark call this is in relation to how we are to live our lives. We are to see all of ourselves, our families, our time, our bodies, our minds, our affections as a sacrifice unto God. It is our “spiritual worship” (and this leads us to having renewed and transformed minds…which helps us discern the will of God!)

2)We are called to deny ourselves—Mark 8:34

3)We are called to be slaves of Christ—1 Corinthians 7:22

4)We are no longer enslaved by sin—Romans 8:8-11

5)We are called to follow in the steps of Christ—1 Peter 2:21

6)We are called to be servants –Galatians 5:13

7)We are called children of God…Romans 8:10-16, Galatians 4:1-7. Our adoption by God changes our entire identity. We have all the rights of sons of God! We are to have a close, intimate relationship with God—relating to him as a loving and good father!

8)We are called to bear fruit—Matthew 12:33

9)We are called to love our brothers/sisters –1 John 4:7-12