The Balanced Christian
Embodying the Virtues of Christ in Everyday Christian Life
A significant challenge facing Christianity today is the struggle to maintain a balanced Christian lifestyle.
Observing some Christians, you’ll notice a disconnect between their in-depth knowledge of scripture and their prayer life and character.
Meanwhile, others may excel in prayer but lack a solid understanding of God’s word and exhibit little Christ-like character.
This disparity has led many to question the authenticity of the Christian faith, ultimately causing them to lose interest.
Christians must recognize that they can be the only Bible some unbelievers read.
The Balanced Christian
A genuine Christian lifestyle has the power to win souls.
As reflections of Jesus—the Word, and our Father, we should embody the virtues of Christ in our daily lives.
When we identify as Christians, people should see the character of Christ in us, without exception.
However, this is only possible if we serve one Master, as scripture reminds us that serving two masters is impossible.
Hence, to maintain a balanced Christian lifestyle, our lives must reflect a harmonious blend of scriptural knowledge, fervent prayer, and upright character.
This is not only essential for our personal walk with God,
but also crucial for the sake of the mandate we carry as Christians: to spread the Gospel and bring more souls to salvation.
The Balanced Christian
THE WORD
As Christians, it is imperative that we ground our faith in the Word of God and unapologetically represent it.
The Word is sufficient to address the questions and concerns that plague our minds and souls.
We must be resolute in our commitment to scripture, refusing to allow external influences to take root in our hearts and satisfy our selfish desires.
Many Christians today misinterpret and manipulate God’s Word to suit their selfish desires, tarnishing the true representation of Christianity.
For example, while scripture assures us of God’s loving and forgiving nature,
stating that He doesn’t hold our sins against us, some Christians distort this truth to justify a reckless lifestyle.
They mistakenly believe that God’s unconditional love and forgiveness give them license to sin without consequence.
Moreover, some individuals misapply the biblical account of Jesus’ encounter with the woman caught in adultery, highlighting how He didn’t condemn her.
However, they conveniently overlook the fact that Jesus also instructed her to “go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
This often-omitted detail emphasizes Jesus’ expectation that we should turn away from sin, despite His boundless forgiveness.
God’s Word is a balanced guide for our Christian lives.
It empowers us with boldness, and a sound mind, and equips us for every good work.
As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 reminds us, scripture is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”
We must not dilute God’s Word with additives or alternatives.
Instead, we stand firm on its authority, using it as our sole defence for our faith.
It’s even more intriguing to see that even the devil can quote scripture with precision.
The temptation story of Jesus illustrates this, as Satan used scripture to tempt Jesus, attempting to justify his deceitful suggestions.
However, Jesus countered each temptation with scripture, demonstrating His mastery of God’s Word.
Luke 4:4 KJV
[4] And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
https://bible.com/bible/1/luk.4.4.KJV
This encounter highlights a crucial lesson for Christians: to effectively defend and represent our faith, we must be well-versed in scripture.
I urge you, take time to study God’s Word, that you may confidently stand firm in your faith.
The Balanced Christian
PRAYER
Another critical area where some Christians fall short is prayer.
Being well-versed in God’s Word is essential, but it’s equally important to invest quality time in prayer.
It’s alarming to think that we can walk in accordance with God’s will without a vibrant prayer life.
The truth is, neglecting prayer is disobedience to God’s Word,
which explicitly instructs us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
How, then, can we justify being prayerless or lukewarm in our prayer lives?
Perhaps this neglect of prayer stems from a misguided ideology that success is solely the result of human effort.
We point to billionaires who have achieved greatness through hard work, regardless of their faith.
This leads us to adopt a pragmatic approach, prioritizing work and business over prayer.
However, this mentality reveals a misunderstanding of prayer’s purpose.
Specifically, some Christians often view prayer as a means to an end – a way to achieve success – rather than a genuine desire to fellowship with our Heavenly Father.
Prayer goes beyond mere petitions for material blessings or vengeance against our enemies.
At its core, prayer is about fellowshipping with God.
Think of it: would you intentionally go a day without communicating with a loving father?
If so, it suggests that you don’t genuinely delight in His company and that your prayers are motivated by self-interest rather than love and devotion.
A true relationship with God is built on mutual communion, not just convenient transactions.
Jesus Christ Himself demonstrated the vital importance of prayer for Christians.
The Bible records numerous instances where He prioritized solitary communion with His Father.
Notably, Jesus’ fervent prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane were so intense that He sweat blood (Luke 22:44).
If our Saviour, who performed countless miracles, considered prayer a crucial aspect of His relationship with God,
how much more should we, as His children and disciples?
Have you ever wondered what Jesus, with His extraordinary power, could possibly be praying for?
Certainly not earthly riches, which He could have effortlessly obtained.
What, then, was the focus of His prayers?
As believers, prayer is not only essential for our personal lives but also for our role as intercessors for others, including those we may consider enemies.
Prayer should be a daily discipline, demonstrating our humility and dependence on our Heavenly Father.
It acknowledges that our identity as Christians is rooted in God’s saving grace, not our own merits or good works.
By praying, we recognize that our sufficiency comes from God alone.
As Christians, we should desire to cultivate a deepening relationship with God, marked by consistent communion.
We should yearn for moments when we commit our daily endeavours to His hands, seeking guidance and wisdom.
We should aspire to conclude each day by expressing gratitude to Him.
Moreover, we should want to intercede for others, whether friends or strangers, when we witness their struggles.
Our prayer life should not be limited to times of personal crisis, but rather be a continuous, heartfelt dialogue with God.
Remember, when we neglect prayer, we walk in disobedience to God’s command to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
Pride is the only obstacle that renders prayer meaningless.
The Balanced Christian
CHARACTER
How can we genuinely call ourselves Christians if we lack the virtues that accompany our faith?
This inconsistency is a misrepresentation of our identity.
We witness Christians who raise their hands in worship on Sundays, only to use those same hands for dishonest and destructive purposes throughout the week.
Similarly, some Christians use their mouths to praise God and declare His love on Sundays,
but during the week, they speak words that harm and deceive others.
Their minds focused on Christ on Sundays, become consumed by malice, envy, and hatred as the week progresses.
This duplicity raises a critical question: Who do we deceive with such hypocrisy, if not ourselves?
Giving your life to Christ extends far beyond the altar call,
where you surrender to His will and confess Him as your Lord and personal Saviour.
Embracing Christ is not a one-time event, but a lifelong transformation.
The fruits and virtues that define our identity as Christians must be evident in every aspect of our daily lives – at work, at home, in the marketplace, and in our communities.
If you’re immersed in Scripture and prayer, yet lacking the fruits of the Spirit, it’s time for introspection.
Examine your life to determine if you’re truly aligned with God’s will.
As the Bible says, “By their fruits, you will know them” (Matthew 7:20). Can others identify you as a Christian by the fruit you produce?
The Balanced Christian
In conclusion, it’s time for many of us Christians to confront the truth and stop justifying our compromises to worldly perceptions, trends, and carnal desires.
Let us strive to embody the fullness of God’s Word and character in our lives.
As followers of Christ, we must remember that if Jesus wouldn’t say or do something,
then neither should we, regardless of the pressure from the world.
Our faith should be upheld with wholehearted devotion and humility, guiding all our actions and decisions, rooted firmly in the Word of God – without addition or subtraction.
By living out our faith in this way, we become balanced Christians, reflecting the integrity and consistency that honours God, rather than spreading confusion.
Also Read: BreakThrough: When Fear Meets Faith – Diademng
The Balanced Christian
