Jesus told us in the Book of John that even when we follow Him, it doesn’t mean that we will not experience trouble. But in my own life I have seen that when I live according to God’s design, I avoid trouble.
I had to find this out the hard way. I have experienced difficulties that could have been avoided had I lived according to God’s will. It is counter-cultural, but man it offers a lot of peace, joy, and contentment.
I like to refer to the time when I was living a rebellious life as BC, yes, before Christ. It was when I was broken and searching for happiness in the world instead of turning my eyes to the one who loves me more than even my parents!
Living according to my will was disastrous. I was playing God. While I was living life my way, I experienced the consequences of wrong choices. When we try to go our way, we experience the consequences of our sins. But when we surrender our lives to God, we can know His peace and joy. Living a Christian life according to God’s design means repenting of our sins and trusting in Jesus Christ as our Savior. It means obeying God’s Word and living in a way that pleases Him. It’s not always easy, but it’s the best way to live.
- What does it look like to live according to God’s Design?
His Word says it all. It is all in there. In the Old Testament, there are numerous accounts of how God wanted His people to live and what happened when they went their way. What a patient God we have. We know we can never be perfect on this side of Heaven, however, when we mess up, confess, and repent, we can get back on track. As believers, we are already forgiven, but God still wants us to admit our sin, and repent. Jesus was the perfect example of how we should live. Like Him, we are set apart from the world. We are not to live like the world around us. We are to live according to God’s standards, not the world’s. This can be difficult at times, but it is important to remember that we are not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). When we live according to God’s design, we will experience His blessings. He promises to bless those who obey His commands (Deuteronomy 28:1-14).
Also, as believers, we have a Helper and that is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us on the right path.
- God Has a Plan For Your Life
He tells us that He had a plan even before we were born. Isn’t that amazing? Even before we were in our mother’s womb! Think about that.
So how do we know what His plan is? The best place to start is by reading the Bible. This is where you’ll find all the information you need regarding God’s plan for your life. God is all-knowing and all-powerful. He knows what’s best for you. God created you with unique talents and abilities. Don’t be afraid to ask God for help in understanding His plan for your life. Also, as a believer, we have a Helper and that is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides us on the right path.
- Seek God’s will in everything you do
It is vital that Christians seek God’s will in everything they do. God’s Will is clear to us in His Word. When we read and study it, we can’t help but see what His Will is. It is all there. We have the Bible as a source of truth and guidance. Prayer also is vital. God loves when we come to Him for guidance and wisdom. He wants us to trust Him. Always remember, that we also need to wait on His timing. If we are not getting a yes or no answer, the answer may be to wait.
- Obey God’s commands
It is not enough to simply believe in God – one must also obey His commands to live a Christian life according to His design. The Bible is full of commands that Christians are expected to obey, and while it may seem daunting at first, obeying God is the best way to live a life that is pleasing to Him. I like to replace the word command with guidance. God gives us a plumb line. He has a standard and when we try to live as close as we can to those standards, things go a little bit smoother. Living by His standards can seem like a tall order, but it is worth it to live a life that is pleasing to Him. When we obey His commands, we experience the joy of His love and the fulfillment of living according to His design.
- Love God and others
The fifth way to live a Christian life according to God’s design is to love God and others. This is not simply a matter of having a warm feeling toward someone, but an action that seeks the best for that person. It is a selfless love that puts the needs of others above our own. One of the most well-known verses in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This verse is a perfect example of how we are called to love God and others. God loves us so much that He gave up His own Son to die for our sins. That is the ultimate act of love. And just as God loved us enough to sacrifice His Son for us, we are called to love others in the same way. One way we can love others is by serving them. When we serve others, we are putting their needs above our own. We are showing them that we care about them and want to help them in any way we can. This is the kind of love that Jesus showed us. He did not come to be served, but to serve. And He calls us to do the same.
- Share the gospel
It is impossible to live a Christian life without sharing the gospel. The gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ, and it is the only message that has the power to change lives. When we share the gospel, we are giving people the opportunity to hear about the hope and salvation that is available through Jesus Christ. One of the most important things to remember when sharing the gospel is that we are not trying to convince people to believe in something that is not true. The gospel is the truth, and it is powerful enough to change lives without our help. We simply need to be obedient to share it. The best way to share the gospel is not so much in our words but in our actions, in the way we live. When people are ready to listen, be willing to tell your story, your testimony. Be willing to tell them where you messed up and how God changed your life when you surrendered it. Just tell people what Jesus has done in your life and how His love has changed you. When we are honest about our journey with Christ, it provides a bridge for others to step across and begin their journey. When we are living our lives for Christ, people will take notice. They may not always understand everything about our faith, but they will be drawn to the hope and joy that we have in Christ.
In conclusion, the Christian life is not about earning brownie points with God or working our way up some spiritual ladder. It’s not getting our degree in Christian living. It’s a life lived yielded to God moment by moment. It’s a life of choice – choosing to say “no” to self and “yes” to God. It’s a life of humility – acknowledging that we need God’s help every step of the way. It’s a life of reliance – leaning on God’s strength, not our own. It’s a life of obedience – following God’s commands even when they’re hard. It’s a life of trust – believing that God is good even when things are tough. It’s a life of thanksgiving – thanking God for His many blessings, even during trials. So how do we live a Christian life according to God’s design? By yielding to the small still voice of the Holy Spirit, through humility, reliance, obedience, trust, and thanksgiving. We don’t do it perfectly, but by God’s grace, we can do it moment by moment, day by day.