Christ said, of those who please him, "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid"(Matthew 5:14). In the present age, every Christian should be a shining example in a world of darkness in order to lead men to salvation. Each Christian is to do all within his power to grow in the paths of righteousness. One's conduct is to reflect the principles that are taught in the word of God. One's life only begins upon obedience to first principles. When one has heard the word of God, believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, repented of one's sins, confessed Christ before men, and been buried with him in baptism, that individual is ready to live the life of a Christian. As one walks the path of righteousness, the Christian is to "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which in heaven"(Matthew 5:16).
Children of God
Christians do belong to Jehovah. When one obeyed the gospel and became a child of God(Romans 8:16) in the days of the apostles, "the disciples were called Christians"(Acts 11:26). They are part of the one body, which is the church for which Christ died(Acts 20:28; Ephesians 2:13). Each Christian is a fellow disciple of other Christians and will be referred to as brother or sister(Acts 9:30). These faithful ones are set apart to the service of God. There may be suffering(I Peter 4:16) and opposition, but the reward far outweighs any sacrifice one must suffer.
Love Not The World
Many people are hindered in their service to God by a love for the world. A careful study of the word of God informs us that, at the point of obedience to the gospel(becoming a Christian), ungodly actions, ideas, thoughts, and words are to be put aside. The apostle John informs Christians that the world "passeth away and the lust thereof"(I John 2:15-17). The disciple is to live a new life because the recent convert is a "new creature in Christ"(II Corinthians 5:17). While Satan will tempt a Christian to commit sin, by setting one's "affections on things above,"(Colossians 3:2), the temptations can be overcome. Keeping these principles in mind, the disciple of Christ can renew the mind, prove what is good, and perfect holiness(II Corinthians 7:1). The child of God must always realize that "No man can serve two masters: for either he will love the one, and hate the others; or else he will cling to one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon"(Matthew 16:26). One should always remember, however, that when overcome by temptation, the Christian can still be acceptable to God by repentance and prayer to God(Acts 8:22).
Proper Conduct
As the Christian grows, the disciple will learn to always "seek the kingdom and his righteousness first"(Matthew 6:33). All behavior will be weighed in the light of what is taught in the word of God. As spiritual growth occurs, one will add to his faith(II Peter 1:5-7). The faithful begin to realize that one is to practice, "Pure religion and undefiled before our God and the Father"(James 1:27). The same passage points out that this will enable one to "keep himself unspotted from the world."
The Christian will study while "rightly dividing the word of truth"(II Timothy 2:15). This will include reading the scriptures as well as helping others to learn the will of God(I Timothy 4:13). Praying, teaching, and bearing fruits of righteousness constitute the way of a disciple of Christ. As one lives "soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world"(Titus 2:11-12), an example will be set that influences others while bearing the fruits of righteousness.
Each Christian will examine his/her own conduct in the light of the scriptures to see if the moral teachings of Christ are made a part of the disciples everyday life. There is much more to being a Christian than people ordinarily think. If more folks were willing to live wholeheartedly in conforming to Christ's will, the cause of Christ would reach multitudes of souls who are not being taught at the present time. A sermon lived is an effective way of teaching others the way of salvation.
Please click here to proceed to a check-up on on the knowledge you have gained from this ninth lesson. When you complete the check-up you will proceed to Lesson Ten.