We are spirit beings housed in the flesh, living in this world, but our true home is not of this world. We are nothing but sojourners on the earth. At the end of our journey and assignments here, we will give account on how our time on earth was spent.
It is very important to understand that we live in a world filled with lots of ungodliness; cruelty, sinfulness, wickedness and every form of evil we can think of. But as Christians, we must not fail to recognize that we must not live like the rest of the world.
We (christians) are in this world for a purpose. We are not here by accident or by chance. It is not a happenstance that any of us were born into this world. We came from God and will return to Him at the appointed time. That is why God expects us to live like Him while we sojourn in this secular world.
Many people think it is impossible to live a life that glorifies God while we walk the earth, but I tell you for free, that it is possible.
2 Tim 3:1-5 (AMP)But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
The above scripture gives us in detail, the nature of the world that we currently live in, but the latter part of the same scripture enjoins us to desist from the ungodliness of the world.
You might be thinking that it is almost impossible to not see things every now and then that can weaken our resolve to live for God in this today's world. Everything from happenings in the world, newspapers, movies, discussions, music, relationships with people seem to always try to stop us from living a godly life in this present world.
It is true that so many genuine Christians still find it difficult to live the way God requires of them in today's world. Most of us are constantly tempted to fall back into sin, worldliness or return to their vomit.
But let's remember, that our lives should always reflect God. From our speech, dressing, relationships with others, lifestyle, everything in totality should radiate the life of Christ.
God's original desire is that there should be a significant and tangible difference between Christians and Unbelievers. It is very possible to live a godly life in today's secular world.
The lifestyle our Lord Jesus Christ lived when He walked the earth, is our perfect example of a godly life. All through His time on the this earth, there was never a record of Him living a life that displeased the Father. Jesus Christ Himself said that He always pleased the Father.
John 8:29 (ESV)And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.
Let's not deceive ourselves by thinking that Jesus could live a godly life because He is God. We know that He didn't live here as a spirit. He lived as a flesh that had water and blood running through His veins.
He also got hungry, He also felt sleepy, He also had urges and cravings like we do. He was even tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11), but thank God He was able to overcome by choosing to obey God instead of the enemy.
Jesus did not only come to the earth to save us, He also came to show us how we are supposed to live as children of God in this secular world. He told us that He has given us all things that pertain to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Therefore, livng a godly life in a secular world is very much attainable.
How To Live As A Christian In A Secular World
Below are scriptural principles every Christian can apply to live a godly life in our present world.
1. Rely On The Grace of God
A Christian that truly desires to live for God in this secular world must depend on the grace of God (Zechariah 4:6).
God's grace is divine empowerment for a particular task. It is only the grace of God that can enable us to remain committed to God, and live a godly life in a world as ours.
It is the grace of God that helps us to remain disciplined and say no when the need arises. It is the grace of God that helps us do what is right even when many people are doing what is wrong.
2. Stay Conscious Of Your Identity In Christ
Knowing who you are as a Christian helps you to live a godly life in this present ungodly world. God's word is a manual for our living as Christians. Transformation of the mind is done by paying attention to God's word.
Matthew 5:14-16 (AMP)You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven.
Conformation to the world is prevented by transformation by the Word of God (Romans 12:2). Even Jesus had to pay attention to the Word of God and made sure His life aligned with God's Word (Luke 4:17-20).
The Word of God tells you who you are and tells you how to live in accordance with God's will in a secular world. Ignorance makes one susceptible and puts one in bondage (Hosea 4:6).
3. Make Conscious Efforts To Live A Godly Life
Living a godly life begins with the decision to do just that from the heart. This decision is what propels us to take the right steps in actualising it.
1 Peter 2:11-12 (AMP)Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock].
We have to deliberately and consciously make the decision and efforts to be different from others. Make up your mind that your life will reflect God in totality.
4. You Have To Be Self-Disciplined
Living a godly life demands that we do only the things that are profitable to us as remnants of God. For instance, we cannot claim that we belong to God, while we follow all worldly trends. There has to be a remarkable difference between a child of God and a child of the world.
Living a godly life will require lots of self-discipline. You will have say no to a lot of things irrespective of the fact that 'everyone' seem to be doing them.
As a child of God, it is not expected of you to entangle yourself in the things of this world. Only the things of God and His Kingdon should be appealing to you. Always bear in mind that we are here on a mission and we need to focus on that assignment.
3. Walk In The Spirit Always
The scripture below points out the fact that as Christians, we must stay conscious of our spiritual identity at all times.
Galatians 5:16 (AMP)But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God).
Walking in the Spirit guards us from walking in the flesh. It helps us to not fulfil the desires of the flesh.
The Holy Spirit was given to help us please God as Christians even in midst of the sinfulness of the world. We have to be intentional about submitting to His leading on daily basis. Any believer that is obedient to the Holy Spirit will find it easy living a life that depicts Christ.
6. Stay Prayed Up
Luke 18:1 (NIV)Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
On the altar of prayer, your faith and resolve in God is strengthened to live a life that pleases God. We also receive strength to stand firm in Christ and live a godly life.
Final Thoughts On Living As A Christian In A Secular World
Conclusively, we must stay connected to our Source, if we truly want to live a life that pleases God in this secular world. God never said we can do it on our own, that is why He instructed us to abide (remain) in Him.
John 15:5(NIV)I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Your connection to Jesus makes it easy to radiate His life and shine bright in this world.
The reason why God sent us Christians to the world is for the world to know that there is something better and more profitable than what they're doing. Don't lose sight of that. Live Like Christ. Be a true Christian. Our difference from the world is our advantage over the world.
Remain blessed.
