Living a life of Christian faith.

The most important question many Christians struggle with these days is, ‘How to live a successful or fruitful Christian life?’

This is a very important question for a believer and every believer must be able to answer this question. If you’re a Christian then you must know how to live a life of Christian faith because you can only live a life like this when you know it thoroughly. Yes, there are many Christians around the globe who know how to live a life of Christian faith but they ignore to live such a holy life and this happens majorly due to lack of faith and love upon our holy God. If you’re seeking an answer to this question in a single sentence, then…

“If you really want to live a successful Christian life then you must obey all the commands given unto us by our loving God’ .Yes, the Holy Bible affirms this in the book of John;

Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teachings” – John 14:23

Also,

“If you love me, keep my commands” – John 14:15

Now, this may raise a question in your mind- Is it even possible to live a holy life in a world full of sins, pride, envy and hate? Yes, it is possible and if you are unaware, Jesus lived in this earth as a complete human being and I always used to think, why would a God who is so powerful enter this world which is full of sins and intended to live as a human? Why? Yes, to save us from our sins. But, there is an another important reason and it is, “To set an example and to teach us how to overcome this world” Jesus while speaking to his disciples said,

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome it” – John 16:33

When Jesus says, “Take heart! I have overcome it”, he means do not worry about your problems, your future, your sins, your temptations or whatever which is disturbing you. Take heart and bring your problems to me (Jesus) and I will give you rest. Also, Jesus while speaking to multitudes said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

– Matthew 11:28

Yes, it is only Jesus who can give us rest. Also, the above mentioned scripture speaks uses the word ‘burdened’, what does it refer to? This burden is a burden of sins. Yes, it is only sins which separate us from our loving  god since our Holy Bible says, “God’s eyes are so pure that he cannot even look at sins.” – Habakkuk 1:13

We Christians know that sins cause the real trouble to our spiritual life since it destroys our inner being and separates us from our holy God. We are well aware of this but still we dare to sin and fall prey to temptations.

Now, let’s talk about how to overcome sins in this world filled with lust and desires. Let us study this from one of my favorite character from the Holy Bible whose name is Daniel. We will not only learn from the life of Daniel but also the life of his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Until today these four friends are role models to many young Christian minds. What did these four men do which made them different from other men. I would like to share some of the important things; these four young men have practiced to live a successful Christian life. Please stay with me on the course.

Daniel made a covenant in his heart

Who is Daniel? Daniel was one of the slaves whom king Nebuchadnezzar besieged from Jehoiakim – king of Judah. Now, king Nebuchadnezzar instructed a particular man named Ashpenaz to bring forth some of the slaves but they must be noble, young men in whom there is no blemish, but good-looking, gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand, who had ability to serve in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the language and literature of the Chaldeans. When all these young men were brought before the king, he appointed for them a daily provision of the king’s delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king.

Now, among these young men who were selected for three years of training were Daniel and his friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. As said earlier,king Nebuchadnezzar has ordered to treat these young men’s with king delicacies and wine. But, Daniel made a covenant in his heart that,” He will not defile himself with the portion of the kings delicacies and wine.”

So, Daniel makes a covenant in his heart and now he goes to the chief person and requests that he might not defile himself. Now, God helps Daniel to get favor in the eyes of chief and the chief says to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king”

Daniel answered to the chief, “Please test your servants for ten days, and give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then let our countenance be examined before you, and the countenances of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants”

So the chief consented with them in this matter, and tested them for ten days and at the end of the ten days their countenance appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. Thus, the chief took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.

Remember, this is how a believer must be, you may be offered with all kinds of delicacies and wines for free or any other kind of things which may defile you and your soul. But, always remember you and I serve a living God and the body which you posses today are given by him and so we got no rights to defile it. Also,

“Body is a temple of God” – 1 Corinthians 6:19

Yes, our body is a temple of god where our holy god resides. So, better always keep it clean and we are not our own because we were bought at a price – the blood of Christ. So, we must honor our god with our body. Also, what happens when we protect our holiness and live a life as god wants? What did Daniel get when he made a covenant to himself as, he will not defile his body? Bible says,

17* as for these four men, god gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

18* Now, at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

19* Then the king interviewed them, and none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king.

• Daniel 1:17-19

You may think, you don’t have skills, knowledge, and wisdom but remember God is the one who gives that. Look at these young men, they were very particular about their holiness and god gave them all kinds of knowledge and wisdom. Today, take initiative and make a covenant in your heart to live a holy life and God will honor your covenant and he’ll make you sit before kings and judges.

God is Great!