The Triangular Facets of the Christian Life: Way

The Christian life is not lived in a vacuum. Our beliefs find an outlet in our actions and attitudes. The abundant life we enjoy spills over into doings and out-workings. There is a lived out quality to our biblical worldview. Without the evidence of this obedient fruitfulness, any reality of a new birth is questionable at best. It just won’t do to be a hearer only and not doer.

The way of the Christian life is lived in the context of relationships. Showing acts of kindness, praying to God, feeding the poor, living hospitably, training your children, esteeming others higher than yourself, loving your neighbor and listening attentively are relational actions. So are sharing good news, forgiving wrongs, honoring parents, refraining from gossip, submitting to the Spirit, saying words of encouragement and greeting one another with affection. We gauge the reality of our spirituality by the quality of our relationships with God and with others.

It’s in an authentic community that we live out these interpersonal relationships. In community a three way relationship between us, God and others flourishes for emotional and spiritual growth. Not that we are always a perfect people or a happily harmonious group, but we admit our weaknesses, share our heart ache, celebrate true joy, express our failures and most of all love one another. Love is our defining characteristic and we spend a lifetime cultivating it in community.

The way of the Master by necessity is grounded in truth and flows out of life. Yet many Christians enter into salvation truth and then skip right over transformational life into works. This is the self-effort of moralism that Paul warns the Galatians against (3:1-5). Business, formulas for success, involvement in programs, keeping the wheels spinning all take their toll. While they may initially satisfy, in the end the result is weariness and burnout.

Spirit filled Christians with gifts of service show us the way to bring life, love and action together. Stephen is a good example – full of the Spirit, wisdom, grace and power. The merciful spread compassion for those who are hurting, the helpful serve others with diligence and givers come to the rescue with resources. As truth, life and actions come together we discover God’s form for service. Not us doing something for Him, but Him living His life through us. We become His instruments in community, in ministry and in missions.