Exploring the Christian Life in Christ

By Joe Harvey

The purpose in writing this book is to share with you, the readers and followers of Jesus, the deeper meaning of who we are as Christians. It may come as a surprise to many that the Christian life is not a "surprisingly easy task." The roots go deep as we will explore.

Christianity is a new way of life. You might also say it's a journey or a walk of endurance and obedience to our Lord and King. Another way to say this is that it's a walk of faith as we strive to obey God's commands.

So what is a Christian? Glad you asked. A Christian is simply one who follows the teachings of the very incarnate son of God--Jesus. Unlike all other world religions, Christianity is a personal relationship with the God and Creator of the Universe!

* It begins with a call to believe in God: O Seeker, Is God Calling?

* This is followed by the big eternal question, But Why, God, and Why Me?

* Digging deeper at the heart of the Gospel is A Call to Obedience--Ouch!

* Followed by living out that new life in A Call to New Life in Christ

* And finally, a discussion on the undergirding of our Christian walk: A Call to Grow in Our Faith

Faith is a big topic and is what God gives us to keep everything in balance.

This book seeks to entertain certain points along life's journey. These five essays touch on various topics that we all, as Christians, struggle with at times. And as a bonus, there's a self-study/Bible study to work through.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 2, 2023
• ISBN: 9798888321003

Book preview

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Exploring the Christian Life in Christ

Joe Harvey

Copyright © 2023 by Marvin Harvey

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Give careful thought to the paths for your feet

and be steadfast in all your ways.

Do not turn to the right or the left;

keep your foot from evil.

—Proverbs 4:26–27 (NIV)

Preface

The purpose of writing this book is to share with you, the readers and followers of Jesus, the deeper meaning of who we are as Christians. It may come as a surprise to many that the Christian life is not a surprisingly easy task. The roots go deep as we will explore.

Christianity is a new way of life. You might also say it’s a journey or a walk of endurance and obedience to our Lord and King. Another way to say this is that it’s a walk of faith as we strive to obey God’s commands.

So what is a Christian? Glad you asked. A Christian is simply one who follows the teachings of the very incarnate Son of God—Jesus. Unlike all other world religions, Christianity is a personal relationship with the God and Creator of the Universe!

It is a walk or way of life along a path that our God and Creator determined for us before the foundations of the earth. It is a walk that turns us 180 away from the ways of this world to a new life in Christ. It is our humble duty to walk that path and not veer to the right or to the left. This is a high calling. But remember we do not walk it alone.

So yes, it is a journey based on faith. So just how do we keep on the straight and narrow—that straight path? Now that is a good question and is one we all struggle with as Christians. It is simple but yet not simple. Let me explain.

As one who believes and trusts in God, it is he who calls us unto himself. We have to constantly remind ourselves or be reminded that we are bound up with God the Father who loves us more than any human knowledge can comprehend or emotion imagine. It was God the Father who sent his Son into the world, and he (Jesus) came willingly out of obedience to the Father. Jesus, therefore, came to seek and save lost sinners and to show them the way to eternal life with God. As Christians, we are called to deliver that same good news to all who will hear. It is important to note that while we are called to deliver the good news of eternal life to others, it is God’s part to change those hearts to hear (open their ears) and believe the message of the Gospel.

But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news! (Romans 10:14–15 NLT; emphasis added)

We live in a cursed world with disease, sickness, death, and all kinds of evil. But we have been lifted up with God. We have God’s Spirit in us! He walks beside us through each of our calamities whether caused by those that befall us naturally or by our own doing. But we can’t forget whose we are and to whom we belong! Thanks be to our God that through our trials and tribulations, he is right there with us just as God the Father was right there with his Son as he hung on the cross.

But also remember and even rejoice that he is using everything about us to demonstrate to others the faith and trust we have in him. Our greatest mission is to be salt and light to others. Through a life well lived for Christ, others may see and seek him just as we did. So take heart!

This book, I trust, will be the first in a series of essays that will give you a glimpse of how the Christian walk or life in Christ is to be lived out as intended by God.

It begins with a call to believe in God and starts off with O Seeker, Is God Calling You?

This is followed by the big eternal question, But Why, God, and Why Me?

Digging deeper at the heart of the Gospel is A Call to Obedience—Ouch!

Followed by living out that new life in A Call to New Life in Christ

And finally, a discussion on the undergirding of our Christian walk: A Call to Grow in Our Faith. Faith is a big topic and is what God gives us to keep everything in balance.

This book seeks to entertain certain points along life’s journey. These five essays touch on various topics that we all, as Christians, struggle with at times. And as a bonus, there’s a self-study/Bible study on saving faith to work through.

The point or purpose of these essays is to share some of the things that I’ve come to realize in my older years. My prayer is that these may help you think through and see who we are as God’s children. Now as children of God, we are called to be shinning lights in a world of darkness as are the stars set in heaven on a dark night.

In conclusion, our purpose while here on earth is to serve our great and awesome Lord and King unconditionally with selfless motives. My prayer also is that we understand that as servants of God, we are bound and hidden in Christ. So now let’s help build his kingdom on earth in anticipation of his return and that he might find his children busy at work when he returns.

In Colossians 3:1–4 (NIV),

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Emphasis added)

As the Israelites were called out as a people to prepare the way for the Lord’s first coming—so now are we called to prepare the way for our