How does the Christian Faith Impact the lives of Jesus Followers?

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 How does Christianity impact the lives of Jesus Followers?

 

Christianity impacts the lives of those who put their faith in Jesus Christ in a way that no other belief system or worldview can ever do, as it goes way beyond anyone’s philosophical belief system, and enables a person to be in a personal relationship with the living God, and be given a purpose that is much greater than any purpose this world can offer to us. And it is because of this that author James Sire writes, “devoted Christians live not for themselves but for God.” [1] The moment a person puts their faith in Jesus Christ, they become a child of God (Galatians 3:26) and enter into a personal relationship with God, [2] through their faith in Jesus (John 17:3). From this point on the Christian is called by Jesus to “seek first the kingdom of God” above all other things in life. [3]

Christianity is the only faith in the world that can supernaturally transform the life of its followers. The moment a person puts their faith in Jesus, they “have peace with God” (Romans 5:1), and they are able to experience God’s love in a supernatural and yet tangible way, as “the love of God” is “poured” into their “hearts by the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). The Bible says that when this happens the new believer becomes a “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17). 

In addition to this inward transformation that takes place in a person’s life the moment they put heir faith in Jesus, the Spirit of God also becomes the Chief Architect in their life and begins a lifelong sanctification process, where the believer begins being transformed into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Bible Scholar Wayne Grudem points out that this sanctification process is “a work in which God and man cooperate, each playing distinct roles… Sanctification is a progressive work of God and man that makes us more and more free from sin and like Christ in our actual lives.” [4] In order for this sanctification process to be fruitful, and more importantly, noticeable, God and man must cooperate together. This is what the apostle Paul speaks about in his letter to the Philippians when he says, “… work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2:12-13). 

It is because of a person’s faith in Jesus Christ and their devotion to faithfully follow Him, that they are able to experience this dramatic life-transformation where Jesus radically changes everything in their life. Jesus gives the Christian a brand-new life in Him, and a brand-new purpose to live for. In fact, James Sire perfectly describes why the Christian faith impacts its followers so dramatically, when he writes, “The Christian worldview is unique in many ways, but not the least of which is the way in which it serves as the focus for the ultimate meaning of life, not just the meaning of human history or human existence in the abstract, but the meaning of life for each Christian.” [5] Amen.

 

                          

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Inter-Varsity Press. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1994. 

 

Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (5th Edition). Inter-Varsity Press. Downers Grove, IL. 2009. 

 


[1] Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (5th Edition). Inter-Varsity Press. Downers Grove, IL. 2009 (p.45)

[2] In John 17:3, Jesus says “this is eternal life that they may KNOW You, the only true God, and His Son Jesus Christ…” The Greek word for “know” is ginosko and it refers to a personal, experiential relationship with someone. In order for a person to go to heaven, they must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

[3] Matthew 6:33

[4] Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Inter-Varsity Press. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1994 (p.746).

[5] Sire, James W. The Universe Next Door: A Basic Worldview Catalog (5th Edition). Inter-Varsity Press. Downers Grove, IL. 2009 (pp.44-45)

 

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