How should a Christian live according to the Bible

In order for a Christian to live according to the Bible, he or she should

• Be joyful (Psalm 16:11; Philippians 4:4; Nehemiah 8:10)
• Be peaceable (Romans 12:18; Matthew 5:9; Psalm 34:14; 2 Corinthians 13:11)
• Be longsuffering (Ephesians 4:2; Romans 5:3–4)
• Be kind (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12)
• Be a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-7; Psalms 37:21)
• Be honest (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; Jeremiah 9:3-6)
• Be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:6; Numbers 14)
• Be faithful (Proverbs 28:20; Matthew 25:21; Hebrews 13:4)
• Be holy (2 Corinthians 6:14–18; 1 Peter 1:15–16)
• Submit to government (Romans 13:1–7; 1 Timothy 2:1–4; 1 Peter 2:13–14)
• Pay taxes to the government (Romans 13:1–7)
• Do good to others (Galatians 6:9–10; 2 Thessalonians 3:13)
• Avoid sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 9–13; 1 Corinthians 6:18–20)
• Walk in the light (1 John 1:5-7; Ephesians 5:8–13)
• Walk in love (Ephesians 5:2; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; Romans 13:8–10)
• Walk in forgiveness (Matthew 6:14; Ephesians 4:32)
• Avoid divisive people and dissensions (Romans 16:17–18; Titus 3:9; 2 Timothy 2:24–26)
• Work to provide for himself and his family (1 Thessalonians 4:11–12)

Let us examine each one of these qualities as mentioned in the Bible.

1. A Christian should live a joyful life

When one becomes a born-again Christian, the Bible teaches that God the Father, Christ Jesus, and the Holy Spirit come to dwell in him (John 14:23). This presence translates into joy in the life of the believer, as recorded in Psalms 16:11, that says

“You will show me the path of life; IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The Apostle Paul also encourages Christians to live a joyful life, as captured in Philippians 4:4, that says

“REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. Again, I will say, Rejoice.”

As Christians, we should also live a joyful life because, according to Nehemiah 8:10, the ‘joy of the LORD, is said to be our source of strength. This is what the scriptures say:

“Then he said to them, Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD is your strength.’”

2. A Christian should live peacefully with all men

The Bible teaches that a Christian should strive to live a peaceful and quiet life with all people. We read this in Romans 12:18 as follows:

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, LIVE PEACEABLY WITH ALL MEN.”

While teaching about the beatitudes, Jesus told his disciples that those who seek peace are not only blessed but will also be called sons of God. We read this beattitude in Matthew 5:9

“Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS, for they shall be called sons of God.”

In the book of Psalm 34:14, the scriptures also encourage the Christian believer to seek and pursue peace by stating:

“Depart from evil and do good; SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE IT.”

In the book of 2 Corinthians 13:11, the Apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of living in peace by stating:

“Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, LIVE IN PEACE; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”

3. A Christian should live a life of longsuffering

One way in which a Christian can demonstrate long suffering is if he or she is capable of bearing with the shortcomings of others. We should understand that not all people will live up ‘to our expectations’. That means people will disappoint us time and again because man is in a fallen state and also because we are living in a broken world that is awaiting redemption.

Consequently, we should learn to be patient and accommodating with all men, especially those who belong to the household of faith.

In the book of Ephesians 4:1–3, the Apostle Paul encourages believers to be long-suffering by stating:

“I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, WITH long suffering, BEARING ONE ANOTHER IN love.”

In addition, a long-suffering Christian is one who can endure trials when they come his or her way. The Apostle Paul captures this very well in the book of Romans 5:3–4, which says:

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance, and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

4. A Christian should live a life of kindness

Kindness is a virtue that every Christian believer must pursue. When you are kind, you treat people the way you would want them to treat you. When you are kind, you will seek to promote the wellbeing of others. Kindness will cause you to be merciful and prompt you to share with others whatever resources God puts at your disposal. A kind person is longsuffering and, therefore, readily forgives the mistakes of others.

In the book of Ephesians 4:32, the Apostle Paul puts it this way:

“And BE KIND TO ONE ANOTHER, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.”

Colossians 3:12 also mentions kindness as one of the attributes that God’s chosen people should be clothed with. It says

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, PUT ON tender mercies, KINDNESS, humility, meekness, and longsuffering; bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.”

5. A Christian should live a life of cheerful giving

Christians should live a life of giving, emulating the example of God. The Scriptures teach us that God GAVE His only begotten Son, to die for the sins of mankind and the redemption of the universe. In this example, God gave sacrificially because He gave His best! Thus, Christians are called to give their best whenever the opportunity arises.

This is what the Apostle Paul teaches in 2 Corinthians 9:6–15. It says

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER.”

In the book of Psalms 37:21, the Bible says the “RIGHTEOUS SHOWS MERCY AND GIVES.”

Therefore, as the righteousness of God, Christians should have no difficulty sharing with others what God has blessed them with.

6. A Christian should live a life of honesty

One of the reasons why a Christian should live a life of honesty is because Christ, who has saved us, is TRUTH. If indeed the truth (that is, Jesus) lives in us, it will be ironic for us to continue lying to one another without feeling remorseful. There is nothing as distasteful as dealing with a dishonest ‘believer’. When a believer leads a dishonest life, he ends up bringing ridicule and scorn to the esteemed name of Christ, whom he purports to represent. And that is very, very disheartening.

In the book of John 14:6, Jesus told his disciples that He is “the way, the truth, and the life”. Thus, each Christian is called to walk in the truth.

In Colossians 3:9, the Apostle Paul urges brethren at Colossae to walk in truth by writing these words to them

“Do NOT LIE TO ONE ANOTHER, since you have put off the old man with his deeds and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him.”

A similar exhortation is found in the book of Ephesians 4:25, which says

“Therefore, PUTTING AWAY LYING, let EACH ONE OF YOU SPEAK TRUTH WITH HIS NEIGHBOR,’ for we are members of one another.”

The Prophet Jeremiah addresses this issue in Jeremiah 9:3-6 in the following manner:

“And like their bow, THEY HAVE BENT THEIR TONGUES FOR LIES. They are not valiant for the truth on earth. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not know Me, says the LORD.

‘Everyone take heed to his neighbor, and do not trust any brother; for every brother will utterly supplant, and every neighbor will walk with slanderers.

Everyone WILL DECEIVE HIS neighbor AND WILL NOT SPEAK THE TRUTH; THEY HAVE TAUGHT THEIR TONGUES TO SPEAK LIES; they weary themselves to commit iniquity.

Your dwelling place is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know Me,’ says the LORD.”

7. A Christian should live a life of thanksgiving

We live in a world where people have become so unthankful, no matter what good comes their way. The Bible instructs Christians to always be thankful, regardless of their prevailing circumstances.

 A leading scripture in this regard is 1 Thessalonians 5:18, that says

“In EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

The same sentiments are echoed in Ephesians 5:20, that says

“Giving Thanks Always FOR ALL THINGS to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 4:6 also teaches about thanksgiving in the following manner:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, let your requests be made known to God;”

The opposite of giving thanks is murmuring and complaining. People everywhere are complaining about everything, be it the unpredictable weather patterns, the unstable economic conditions, the ever-falling moral standards, the flip-flopping politicians, or the blatant violation of human rights by state agencies and other entities, among many, many other things happening under the sun.

One thing we should remember is that God greatly disapproves of murmuring, as shown by the experience of the children of Israel on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. Despite the many great signs and wonders that God did in their midst, they never ceased to complain and murmur against God and Moses. As a result, God on several occasions threatened to wipe them out, only for Moses to intercede for them and secure their forgiveness (Numbers 14). God hates murmurers and complainers. Thus, as a born-again Christian, always be thankful for all that you are going through. This is because God knows where He is taking us, despite the many hardships that we may be experiencing in our lives.

8. A Christian should live a life of faithfulness

Every true Christian should be found faithful in all their areas of operation. Be it at home, in school, at the workplace, in the community, or in the church. The world we live in today has been corrupted by sin, making it very difficult for Christians to remain faithful to their call.

As such, it is becoming increasingly difficult, but not impossible, for Christians to conduct their affairs faithfully in such a polluted environment.

Born again Christians are increasingly being mentioned in the many cases of corruption being reported in both the public and private sectors of the economy.

Cases of embezzlement of church funds by entrusted church ministers have been on the rise in recent years.

In the book of Proverbs 28:20, we find this instruction concerning people who may be tempted to get into corruption in order to become rich quickly. It says

“A faithful man will abound with blessings, but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.”

In addition, Jesus teaches that if we can be entrusted with a few things while here on earth, we shall be placed in charge of many things in the life to come. We read this in Matthew 25:21 as follows:

“His lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things; I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’” 

The marriage institution has not been spared either. In recent years, cases of infidelity among born again couples have multiplied. Specifically, infidelity has been mentioned as one of the major causes of divorce among many Christian couples. 

The Bible warns Christian couples against being unfaithful to each other. We find this in Hebrews 13:4, which says  

“Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and adulterers God will judge.”

9. A Christian should live a holy life

Christians have been called to live a holy life. The term holy here means ‘being separate’. Therefore, our lifestyle as born-again Christians should be different from that of non-believers. We read this in 2 Corinthians 6:14–18 as follows:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? OR WHAT PART HAS A BELIEVER WITH AN UNBELIEVER? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? You are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore

‘COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE SEPARATE, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters,’ says the LORD Almighty.”

In other words, Christians are urged not to conform their lifestyle to the dictates of this world but instead to walk in newness of mind as the Holy Spirit enables them.

The Apostle Peter echoes these sentiments in the book of 1 Peter 1:15–16 by stating:

“But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.’”

10. A Christian should submit to the government in place

The Bible teaches that every born again Christian should submit to the government in place in their country of residence. This is because all the governments we see in countries around the world are appointed by God. This teaching is in accordance with the words penned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 13:1–7. It says

“Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM God, AND THE AUTHORITIES THAT EXIST ARE APPOINTED BY God. Therefore, whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.”

Christians are therefore directed to pray for those in authority so that they can lead a peaceful and quiet life. We find this exhortation in the book of 1 Timothy 2:1–4 as follows:

“Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings, and for all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”

The call for Christians to respect, obey, and pray for those in authority is also emphasized in 1 Peter 2:13–14, as follows:

“Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good.”

11. A Christian should pay their taxes to the government

Together with obeying and praying for the government the Lord God has appointed over you, a good Christian is also supposed to pay their taxes as they fall due. This instruction is recorded in Romans 13:6-7, which says:

“For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.”

Jesus Himself directed us to render to Caesar what belongs to him and to God what is God’s. We read this in the book of Mark 12:17, that says

“And Jesus answered and said to them, ‘render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’”

Therefore, any believer advising Christians against paying taxes to the government of the day is out of sync with the word of God.

12. A Christian should not sue the brethren

As Christians, we are urged to settle our differences amongst ourselves instead of dragging each other to the courts of law, which are presided over by non-believers. Failure to follow this advice usually leaves us exposed to scorn and ridicule from non-believers. We find this instruction in the book of 1 Corinthians 6:1–8 as follows:

“Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? If you then have judgments concerning things pertaining to this life, do you appoint those who are least esteemed by the church to judge? I say this to your shame. Is it so that there is not a wise man among you, not even one, who will be able to judge between his brethren? But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers!

Therefore, it is already an utter failure for you to go to court against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated? No, you yourselves do wrong and cheat, and you do these things to your brethren!”

13. A Christian should always do good to others

Christians have been called to do good to others, especially to their fellow brethren. We read this in Galatians 6:9, which says:

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Consequently, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

We find a similar encouragement in 2 Thessalonians 3:13, which says

“But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good.”

The Apostle Peter also urges believers to continue in doing good, as recorded in 1 Peter 2:15, which says

“For this is the will of God, that by doing good, you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.”

14. A Christian should not engage in sexual immorality

The Bible teaches Christians to flee from the sin of sexual immorality. This is because the body of a believer is the temple of the Holy Spirit and should thus be kept pure. We read 1 Corinthians 6:18–20, which says

“Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

Similar sentiments are echoed in 1 Corinthians 5:9–13, as follows:

“I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. BUT NOW I HAVE WRITTEN TO YOU NOT TO KEEP COMPANY WITH ANYONE NAMED A BROTHER WHO IS SEXUALLY IMMORAL, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person.”

15. A Christian should walk in the light

According to the Bible, when one is born again, they automatically get transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of Light. Every believer should therefore walk in the light, as Christ is in the light. The Apostle John teaches that by walking in the light, the world will know that we have fellowship with God. We read this in 1 John 1:5-7 as follows:

“This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. BUT IF WE WALK IN THE LIGHT AS HE IS IN THE LIGHT, WE HAVE FELLOWSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

In Ephesians 5:8–13, the Apostle Paul urges Christians to walk in the light by denouncing the unfruitful works of darkness.

16. A Christian should walk in love

True Christians ought to walk in love, following the example set by Christ, who died for our sins even before we confessed them. We find this in Ephesians 5:2, which says

“Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”

The same instructions are to be found in 1 Thessalonians 4:9, which says

“But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, FOR YOU YOURSELVES ARE TAUGHT BY GOD TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER;”

Romans 13:8–10 reinforces this instruction by stating:

“OWE NO ONE ANYTHING EXCEPT TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, ‘you shall not commit adultery,’ ‘you shall not murder,’ ‘you shall not steal,’ ‘you shall not bear false witness,’ ‘you shall not covet,’ ‘and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS yourself.’ LOVE DOES NO HARM TO A NEIGHBOR; THEREFORE LOVE IS THE FULFILMENT OF THE LAW.”

17. A Christian should walk in forgiveness

A true Christian readily forgives those who offend him, just as Christ forgave us our sins. Another reason why a Christian should constantly forgive offenses is because, even after getting born again, we still sin against God. As a result, we always go back to Him in repentance, asking for forgiveness. Consequently, God will only forgive us if we forgive others their trespasses.

Jesus taught His disciples this principle of forgiveness, as recorded in Matthew 6:14. The scripture says:

“FOR IF YOU FORGIVE MEN THEIR TRESPASSES, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE YOU. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

The same sentiments are echoed by Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:32, which says

“And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, FORGIVING ONE ANOTHER, EVEN AS GOD IN CHRIST FORGAVE YOU.”

18. A Christian should not be divisive

A Christian should promote the unity and harmony of the brethren at all times. In Romans 16:17–18, the Apostle Paul urges believers to avoid people who cause ddivision This is what the scripture says

“Now I urge you, brethren, to note those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine you learned and avoid them.”

The same instruction is repeated in Titus 3:9, where we read:

“But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless. REJECT A DIVISIVE MAN AFTER THE FIRST AND SECOND ADMONITION, KNOWING THAT SUCH A PERSON IS WARPED AND SINNING, BEING SELF-CONDEMNED.”

Paul advises young Timothy to be gentle and teachable in the principles of God. We get this instruction in 2 Timothy 2:24–26.

“And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, and in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.”

19. A Christian must work to provide for himself and his family

A Christian should be diligent to work with his own hands so that he may have provision for himself and his household. The Bible says that those who do not work should not eat. This instruction concerning work is found in 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12, and it says:

“That you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”

In 1 Corinthians 4:12, Paul leads by example by showing that he works with his own hands in order to earn a living. The scripture says:

“And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure.”

The same sentiments about engaging in work are recorded in 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12 as follows:

“For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: IF ANYONE WILL NOT WORK, NEITHER SHALL HE EAT. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, NOT WORKING AT ALL, BUT being BUSYBODIES. Now those who are such, we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that THEY WORK IN QUIETNESS AND EAT THEIR OWN BREAD.”

I do not claim to have exhausted all the requirements or guidelines for how a Christian should live, because there are still many others that can be added to this list. So, as a good student of the Bible, keep searching the scriptures in order to align your life with the expectations of God.

Above all, every born-again Christian should lead a life of prayer and fasting, and continue in the study of the word and in fellowship with the brethren.

Conclusion

This article discusses how a born-again Christian should live according to the Bible. The Christian walk is founded on the teaching laid down in the Bible by the prophets, Christ, and the Apostles. As a born-again Christian, your life is expected to emulate that of Christ while He walked on earth. By walking as Christ walked, you will glorify the God of heaven before your fellow men. So strive to excel in these things. As I wind up this discussion, allow me to leave you with the words of Christ Jesus to His disciples as recorded in Matthew 5:14–15: He said,

“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. They do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

I hope this was helpful. Thank you.

Related Post: How should a born again Christian behave?

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Are you a born-again Christian? If not, kindly say the following prayer from the bottom of your heart, and you will get saved.

Prayer to become a born-again Christian

“Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner and hereby ask for your forgiveness;

I believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that you are the only begotten Son of the living God;

I believe that you were sent by your Father to the earth to save sinners like me.

I now accept you as my personal Lord and Savior.

Come into my heart and baptize me with The Holy Spirit.

Thank you for saving me.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,

Amen!”

Congratulations friend! You are now a born-again Christian!

Welcome to the Family of God!

Benediction

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The LORD lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.”

(Numbers 6:24-26)

Shalom.

Source: https://www.biblegateway.com/