Where In The Bible Will I Find:

The Christian's Duties

Living our life for Christ is the most important way of living on earth. The great apostle Paul wrote two-thirds of the New Testament, and a great part of his emphasis was on Christian living. The death of Christ made him a debtor to carry the Gospel to others, and he did so without shame (Rom. 1:14-16). He also says that all Christians are debtors, "not to the flesh, to live after the flesh (a worldly life), For if you live after the flesh, ye shall die (spiritually): but if ye through the Spirit (His teaching) do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God" (Rom. 8:12-14).

After obeying the first principles of the Gospel, of faith in Christ, repentance from past sins, confession of the name of Christ, and baptism into Christ, we are raised to live "in newness of life" (Rom. 6:3-4). To live the new life in Christ is to live as Christ commands (Matt. 28:18-20). What ever we do or say must be in harmony with Christ's authority (Col. 3:16-17). We are to be continual seekers of Christ's Will, and set our affections on Heaven, as we do what we learn by His direction (Col. 3:1-2).

We know that the world will not approve us, because it did not approve Christ, but rather crucified Him (1 John 3:14). Hence, though we live in the world, we are not to live like the world. Rather, we are to be as "salt" to help save the world, and "light" to help the lost see, be saved, and glorify God (Matt. 5:13-16). Our world faces many problems of crime, sexual immorality, drinking, drugs, divorce, gambling, pornography, etc. Yet, we as Christians must live a life transformed by the Gospel, being "not conformed to this world" but being "transformed by the renewing of your mind" as we act, learn, and know what is the "good and acceptable, and perfect will of God" (Rom. 12:1-2).

Christians must count all things of the world, which it holds dear and desired, but secondary and even "loss for Christ" (Phil. 3:7-9). As we live the new life in Christ, our Christian duties help us escape the defilements of the world! (Gal. 6:1-2). James wrote, "But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed" (James 1:25).

As Christians, we must be careful to live above the world, teach others to do the same, and not be entangled again in the worldly practices! If we live in the wrong manner after being cleaned in the blood of Christ, we are like "the dog returned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire" (II Pet. 2:20-22).

--Gary Colley