What Makes A "Good" Christian
Hey everyone!
I have been dealing with a guilt that I think many other Christians also deal with. I have been feeling guilty for not doing my devotional plan days when I am supposed to or not getting up for quiet time with coffee or even not feeling motivated to read my bible. I'm not writing this post to say that you shouldn't do those things but instead I want to point out how often our guilt gets misplaced. Since the beginning of this year I have been thinking, what does the Bible say makes a "good" Christian and what does society say makes a "good" Christian? And that is just what I am here to answer.
Before you read any further I would like you to think of what society thinks makes a "good" Christian. Make a list.
You may have mentioned reading the entire bible, completing your devotional plans on time, having quiet time, serving on a worship team, knowing Bible theology, or leading devotionals. While those are really good things to do, I think we should remember what God desires for us. It is also important to remember that none of those things are explicitly stated in the bible for us to do as Christians. Instead they are societal pressures we have put on ourselves as a Christian community. Instead of reflecting on being the Christian God calls me to be, I have been "just checking off the boxes". I think to myself, "I have to do my devotional plan and then I can check it off my to do list."
I think pressure is exceedingly difficult for Christian teen girls and young women. We buy the devotional books with the aesthetic fonts and pretty images and see pictures on social media of "quiet time". We hold onto that image and it becomes what we strive for. I can admit that I have seen those Pinterest Christian girls and have thought to myself "I need to be like them and buy the devotional books and be all cute with my bible verses having flowers all around it. Then I will be a good Christian." See how easily it can become about ourselves. See how easily it can become about image. See how easily what we are striving for is no longer Jesus. Now if you are a "Pinterest Christian" girl naturally, then there is nothing wrong with that. What I am saying is to pay attention to where your heart is.
So what kind of Christian does God call you to be?
In Romans 12-15, Paul instructs the Romans on "Christian Living" and covers topics such as service, loving one another, prayer life, respecting governing authorities, the ten commandments, and much more. I am not going to dive into those here because there is so much to cover but I highly recommend that you go and read those chapters to get a better understanding of what Paul means by Christian living.
In 1 Peter 3, Peter discusses how godly husbands and wives should conduct themselves and in verse 8-9 he urges all believers to be "harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing". The rest of the chapter Peter goes further into the conduct of Christians.
Going back to Romans 12:4-6, Paul states that all members of the body of Christ do not have the same function. We are all given various gifts and should use them to better the kingdom. We may not all have musical gifts to serve on a worship team but we have the ability to paint. You may think how can my ability to paint help the kingdom? You can paint while helping out with mission work or paint cards for encouragement or even praying and talking to God can help the kingdom. We all are gifted in some way or another so we shouldn't feel guilty when our gifts aren't as commonly thought of as being of service. God has us exactly where he wants us to be and has given us the gifts best suited for us.
So my point in saying all this is that Christianity and Christian living is not merely just checking off boxes. The things that Paul and Peter urge Christians to do in the above scriptures go beyond what is "normal" and require a heart like Jesus. You can't do the things they have urged you to do without using Jesus as a role model and example because he was the only perfect human to walk the earth. Philippians 2:5-11 elaborates further on this idea by stating that Jesus took the form of a bond servant even though he existed in the form of God.
Something else to note about Jesus is his relationship with the Lord. Jesus goes to God in prayer multiple times including Mark 14: 35-36, Mark 1:35, Luke 5:16, and Luke 6:12. Some important things to note about these scriptures is that Jesus went to God in prayer often, in quiet places, about everything. His relationship with God was closer than any relationship he had with anyone on earth.
Therefore, if we are to use Jesus as a role model we should also mimic his prayer life. We should talk to God like we are talking with a friend. Bring him the good and the bad. In John 16:23-27, Jesus encourages us to go to God in prayer about everything and tells us that God loves us. God desires a relationship with us. We see that He desires this relationship with us by looking at Genesis 2 and 3 where God made man and had an incredibly close relationship before sin entered the world. We can also see how God wants to be with us in Exodus 29:45-46 where He states that he will dwell among His chosen people, the Israelites. However you may feel like God overlooks you or doesn't see you, but Matthew 18:12-14 shows that God cares for you deeply. He notices you. He sees you. He will leave the 99 for you. But we have to put in that work to talk to him daily to have a relationship with Him. Luke 11:3 talks about how we need our daily bread meaning we need daily contact with Him. Are you starving yourself by not talking to Him?
You may be saying, "Ok, but how do I do this? I don't have time for quiet time." or "My prayer time often gets interrupted by...". Well, the way you see your prayer life may have to change a bit if you want a relationship with God. Instead of trying to get up at 5am everyday for 2 hours of quiet time and inevitably sleeping in, you can utilize the time you do have. I mean, you don't wake up at 5 am to talk with a friend for two hours. Talk to him all day in all kinds of places. Talk to Him in the shower, while driving, while walking to work or between classes. Whenever and where ever you talk to Him, tell Him everything. And be honest with Him! You don't have to be put together in front of God. Tell Him if you are unmotivated to get into the word. Tell Him you are struggling to understand His teachings. Tell Him the sin you struggle with. And never forget to give Him thanks for those prayers He answered. If you don't think God is moving or answering your prayers, I challenge you to write out your prayers for a month and highlight them when they are answered with the date answered next to it. You will see God moving in your life even in a month's time.
So what makes a "Good" Christian is one who imitates Christ, builds a relationship with God, and helps to carry out God's will with a genuine desire to serve Him. Don't get hung up on all the "extra" stuff you feel like you must do to be a good Christian. Again, those "extra" things aren't bad but it's not what we should be looking toward. Evaluate where your focus is set and what you are striving for. Is it Jesus or your image and the things of the world?
Feel free to comment and leave your thoughts! Thank you for reading!
-Abby:)
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