It can be difficult to figure out how God wants us to live, and a lot of times we just seem to complicate things. Thinking we must wait to be called into something special, we just live life feeling purposeless. Going through the motions every day, wondering if we're really living for God or making a difference.
As a child, I felt this constantly. I believed that since I was just kid, trying to get through school each day and without any special talents or skills, that I couldn't really glorify God.
And now that I'm a Christian writer, I sometimes get caught up more in how the final product or outcome honors God then the process or even my daily responsibilities.
Living the right kind of life that God wants isn't just for those in ministry positions, about production, or perfection. It's about taking instructions from the Bible - like from James 1:19-20 and Micah 6:8 - and applying them to every responsibility, every struggle, every victory, every conversation, every habit, and every moment of every process we have.
Living the right kind of life is about how we live each moment, not just about we do.
James ends out these two verses by saying that God desires us to live a certain way. Not because we have to work for His love or our salvation, but to represent who God is and to show where our hearts lie. Being willing to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, and nurturing characteristics of calmness are big parts of living this way. In addition, Scripture can train us to live the right kind of life.
In Micah, we see an answer to how God desires us to live: act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God. Jesus, who lived in this way, said to follow Him, for He lights the way and is life itself. Paul also encourages this, by saying that we should think and act like Jesus did. Psalms reveals that in delighting and following God’s instructions, we’ll be satisfied, productive, enduring, and thriving.
God tells how to begin living the right kind of life: First, surrounding ourselves with godly people. It’s hard to live a godly life when we’re not around others living that way. Second, delighting in God’s word and making it a major part of our lives. We can do this by using Scripture often in our conversations. Next, actively choosing to put on and practice God-honoring characteristics. Colossians compares characteristics to clothes, and reminds us to put on things like compassion and love. Fourth, placing God’s peace as ruler of our hearts. There are many things that want to rule over the core of who we are, but we get the choice to choose His peace. Fifth, being aware of how we’re living. We must reflect on how we’re living, so that we know where we’re growing and what needs God’s help. Lastly, allowing God to continue to change how we think. He’s how we can really live the right kind of life that He wants, but we must let Him work in us.
Here’s how not to live the right kind of life God wants: Think that the world’s way is better – The world’s prince, the devil, wants to destroy joy and lives; whereas, Jesus leads to an abundant life. Let earthly things consume you – Focusing on God and His Kingdom helps grow your desire to live the right kind of life. Believe that it’s impossible – Christ’s power gives you the ability and strength to live a godly life.
God's Guidance:
James 1:19-20 (NCV) – “My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily, because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.”
Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) – “As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.”
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIRV) – “God has breathed life into all Scripture. It is useful for teaching us what is true. It is useful for correcting our mistakes. It is useful for making our lives whole again. It is useful for training us to do what is right.”
Micah 6:8 (NIV) – “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
John 8:12 (NIRV) – “Jesus spoke to the people again. He said, “I am the light of the world. Anyone who follows me will never walk in darkness. They will have that light. They will have life.””
Philippians 2:5 (NIRV) – “As you deal with one another, you should think and act as Jesus did.”
Psalms 1:1-3 (HCSB) – “How happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the Lord’s instruction, and he meditates on it day and night. He is like a tree planted beside streams of water that bears its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”
Colossians 3:12-17 (NIRV) – “You are God’s chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don’t be proud. Be gentle and patient. Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. And over all these good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one. Let the peace that Christ gives rule in your hearts. As parts of one body, you were appointed to live in peace. And be thankful. Let the message about Christ live among you like a rich treasure. Teach and correct one another wisely. Teach one another by singing psalms and hymns and songs from the Spirit. Sing to God with thanks in your hearts. Do everything you say or do in the name of the Lord Jesus. Always give thanks to God the Father through Christ.”
Romans 12:2 (NIRV) – “Don’t live the way this world lives. Let your way of thinking be completely changed. Then you will be able to test what God wants for you. And you will agree that what he wants is right. His plan is good and pleasing and perfect.”
John 16:11 (NIRV) – “The world is guilty as far as judgment is concerned. That’s because the devil, the prince of this world, has already been judged.”
John 10:10 (ESV) – “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Colossians 3:2 (NIV) – “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Philippians 4:13 (NIRV) – “I can do all this by the power of Christ. He gives me strength.”
Application:
1. Ask God to change how you think and view things
2. Keep your conversations in line with Scripture, even including it as you share about your day and encouraging others
3. Pick one characteristic from Colossians 3:12-14 to “put on” and “wear” more often
Strength Point:
God calls us to live the life He desires for us, because He knows that it’s the best life possible.
Reflection Question:
What does it mean to live the right kind of life that God wants?
Prayer Prompt:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for revealing to us how to live the right kind of life. You not only lived the right kind of life, You lived a perfect life so that You could pay our sin debt! I’m sorry, Lord, for when I live my life in a way that doesn’t show how much I love You. I’m also sorry for when my love for You is lacking. I want to live my life the way that You want me to. Remind me that in doing this, I’m living the most abundant life possible. Help me to understand what a Biblically accurate right kind of life looks like. Please empower and equip me, Holy Spirit, to be able to live my life to bring You glory and to share Your love with others. I pray that You would move everything holding me back out of my life and off my path. Thank You that You don’t expect us to be perfect, but instead, You’re quick to forgive us. I love You! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
A Prayer to Pray over Others:
Hi Jesus! Thank You for revealing to us how to live the right kind of life. You not only lived the right kind of life, You lived a perfect life so that You could pay our debt! Help my friend to live their life in a way that shows how much they love You. I pray that if their love for You is lacking or they don’t know You, that You would touch their life today. Create a desire in my friend to live their life the way that You want them to. Remind them that in doing this, they’re living the most abundant life possible. Help my friend to understand what a Biblically accurate right kind of life looks like. Please empower and equip them, Holy Spirit, to be able to live their life to bring You glory and to share Your love with others. I pray that You would move everything holding them back out of their life and off their path. Thank You that You don’t expect us to be perfect, but instead, You’re quick to forgive us. I love You, Lord! In Your Name, Jesus, I pray, amen.
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