How To Live A Happy Christian Life

Apostle Paul:  And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Do not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. . . .Do not think you are better than you really are. . . . Do not just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Do not curse them; pray that God will bless them. Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Do not be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And do not think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. . . . Do not let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good. Romans 12:1-3, 9-18, 21 (NLT)

The next great section of Romans is chapters 12 through 15. In these chapters, the Apostle Paul gives practical, real-world guidelines and duties for living as blessed (happy) Christians. The Apostle Paul gives details on making Jesus Christ Lord of every area of our lives. According to the Apostle Paul, Christians are to be wholly devoted to Jesus Christ as living sacrifices, obey the government, genuinely love our neighbors, and take special care of the weak and helpless in the faith.

In a real sense, the entire book of Romans has been directed toward the goal of showing that God demands our action as well as our believing and thinking. Genuine faith in Jesus Christ always expresses itself in obedience (see also James 2:14-26; 1 John 5:1-3). As stated by Martin Luther, genuine saving faith in Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection will produce good and righteous deeds in our everyday life. Genuine faith in Jesus Christ and goods deeds are interrelated and interwoven and not separate. Loving actions are evidence of our faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior (James 2:21; see also Romans 1:5; Romans 16:26; Galatians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; James 2:14-26). For the Apostle Paul, theology is worthless, unless our theology made a difference in how people lived.

Faith in Jesus Christ is not a mere intellectual assent (see James 2:18-19) but a living trust in God’s grace and mercy that expresses itself in acts of goodness and love (1 Thessalonians 1:3). A right relationship with God means right living – a truthful, moral, ethical, good and virtuous life. According to the Apostle Paul: “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (see Galatians 5:6). Although we are saved by faith, not by good deeds (see Romans 3:28; Galatians 2:15-16), love for others and for God is the response of those whom God has graciously forgiven (see Ephesians 2:8-10; 1 John 3:10-11). Jesus Christ said that those who are forgiven much love much (Luke 7:47). If we have a right relationship to God, we will also have a right relationship with people (1 John 4:20).

Once we yield our hearts, bodies and minds to the true and living God, we can live victorious (Romans 12:1-2). We are to die to proud, covetous, selfishness, stubbornness, and arrogance and wholeheartedly yield to the glory of God as this is “our reasonable service” or “our spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1). God wants everyone to offer their whole hearts to Him for His honor, glory, and purpose (Romans 12:1-2; see also Philippians 1:20-21). Now that we belong to Jesus Christ through faith in Him, our bodies become God's temple (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and God’s Holy Spirit lives within us (Romans 8:9). Through God’s Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ continues to live within us to continue God's good work as “instruments of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).

God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for His people. As we spend time reading and meditating on His Holy Word, the Holy Spirit renews our minds and hearts for good and spiritual purposes (2 Corinthians 3:18).To have a right relationship with God, we must start EVERY DAY by yielding to Him our bodies, minds, and wills.

We Christians belong to God and each other (Romans 12:3-16). Christians are to live and work together under the command and authority of God. The Apostle Paul likens Christians to members of a human body (Romans 12:4-8). There are many members and each has a different function, but all are needed for the health and growth of the church. The Apostle Paul emphasizes unity within the diversity of the church (1 Corinthians 12:12-31).

Moreover, our gifts, talents and skills are from God. We are to use our gifts, talents and skills for the good of the whole body of Christ (the church) and for the common good of others (1Corinthians 12:12-31; Ephesians 4:1-16). Our gifts, talents and skills come from God because of GOD'S GRACE and must ALWAYS be accepted and exercised by faith and humility (1 Corinthians 13; Philippians 2:1-4). There can be no basis for a superior attitude or self-righteousness. All we can do is accept our gifts and talents and use them to honor and glorify God and help others (1 Corinthians 15:10). As faithful Christians, our role is to seek ways to help others for good with God’s gifts. God calls His people to real love and goodness. This means helping and caring for others good and not evil (Romans 12:9-10). “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9, NIV). The love the Apostle Paul speaks of is not mere emotions but love in action (see James 2:1-4, 14-17; 1 John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:19-21). Christians have a social responsibility to all people, but especially to other fellow believers in Jesus Christ (Galatians 6:10; 1 Timothy 5:8). The Apostle Paul echoes Jesus Christ’s teaching (see Matthew 5:39-42, 44-45; Luke 6:27-28) as he urged Christians to return good for evil in the Name of the Lord. The only way to overcome evil is with good.

Apostle Paul:  Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority. Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Do not participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And do not yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.

Romans 13:1-14 (NLT)

The issue of politics surfaces in Romans 13. As in the Apostle Paul’s day, the issues of politics are hotly debated. During the later parts of the Apostle Paul’s ministry, such emperors as Nero vengefully turned on Christians, torturing and murdering thousands of them, probably including the Apostle Paul himself.

History shows that most Christians followed the Apostle Paul’s difficult advice in Romans 13 by refusing to revolt against the government but submitting to the government no matter how hostile the government became. To resist the government and their laws is to resist the God because God established and ordained the system of human government (Romans 13:1-2; see also 1 Peter 2:13-17). Of course, if government authorities or laws conflicts with God’s guidelines and rules, then Christians MUST OBEY GOD rather than human authorities (Acts 4:19; Acts 5:29). There will be situations where you cannot obey both God and people. In those conflicting situations, Christians must obey God and trust God’s Holy Word. Our highest loyalty and devotion belong to God! But when the law is right, the Christian must obey the law, including paying our taxes (Romans 13:7). Christians ought to be the best citizen.

The issue of love also surfaces with the Apostle Paul. “Love one another” is the most basic and essential rule of the Christian life. Love is the “new commandment” given by our Lord Jesus Christ (John 13:34). Jesus Christ was a living example of love and He teaches that our love will confirm we are His disciples (followers) (John 13:34-35). Love is more than simply warm feelings; it is an attitude that reveals itself in action (see 1 Corinthians 13). Essentially, when we practice love, there is no need for any other law. “For he who loves another has fulfilled the law. . . . Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law” (Romans 13:8, 10, NKJV). In these verses, the Apostle Paul is quoting Leviticus 19:18. If we genuinely love others, we will not sin, harm and hurt others (Matthew 22:34-40; John 14:15; Colossians 3:14; James 2:8-9; and 1 Peter 2:16-17). As Christians, we are to wear God’s armor of light and goodness, not deeds of darkness and evil (see Matthew 5:13-16; Ephesians 6:10-19). Christians are to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires” (Romans 13:14 (RSV). To “put on” the Lord Jesus Christ means to become more like Him by walking in His ways of love, humility, justice, mercy, truth, forgiveness, and service (see also Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23; Galatians 3:27). Walking like Jesus Christ shows our unity with other Christians and with Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 13:14; see also Ephesians 4:24-32; Colossians 3:10-17). We may not always agree on politics or parties, but we can agree to genuinely LOVE ONE ANOTHER!

Apostle Paul:  Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and do not argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. . . . Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let Him judge whether they are right or wrong. And with the Lord’s help, they will do what is right and will receive His approval. . . .  In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor Him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we do not live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it is to honor the Lord. And if we die, it is to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead. So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to Me, and every tongue will confess and give praise to God.’” Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let us stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. . . . For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up. Do not tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who do not feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. Romans 14:1, 4-13, 17-23 (NLT)

During the Apostle Paul’s day, Christians in Rome were disagreeing on what was proper behavior for a Christian (Romans 14:1-15:4). Christians were hotly debating such issues as eating meat, celebrating holidays, and drinking wine. One person was sure another was sinning; but that “offender” was convinced the accuser was hopelessly narrow-minded and intolerant. Some of these problems stemmed from the backgrounds of the believers in the churches. Probably, some Jewish Christians at Rome were unwilling to give up the dietary laws, keeping of the Sabbath, and other special days. Other Christians were not yet clear as to the status of the Old Testament regulations under the new covenant inaugurated by the coming of Jesus Christ. Who was right? In this chapter, the Apostle Paul gave practical guidelines to the church on how believers could disagree on nonessentials and still maintain unity and harmony within the church. God wants unity, harmony and peace among His people (see Psalm 133:1) and not conflict and disharmony (e.g., see Psalm 15:3; Proverbs 6:19; Matthew 5:9). According to the Apostle Paul:  “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. . . . So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Romans 14:17, 19, NASB).

The Apostle Paul’s advice to the Roman Christians applies to people today who debate questionable issues or “gray areas” that are not clearly right or wrong to every believer. The specific issues change with each culture, but the Apostle Paul’s guidelines on the proper attitude apply to all people today. Some activities are clearly wrong, because the Holy Bible clearly denounces and condemns such actions. Other activities are right, because the Holy Bible clearly commands such actions. But when it comes to areas that are not clearly defined in the Holy Bible, we find ourselves in the “gray areas”. Fellowship among Christians is not based on everyone’s agreement on disputable questions. Christians do not agree on all matters and they do not need to agree.

According to the Apostle Paul, we are to welcome and accept one another (Romans 14:1-2). It is NOT our responsibility to judge others; only God can judge. As stated by Saint Augustine: “In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things, charity.” In every church, there will be different kinds of people from different backgrounds. Yet, God graciously receives all people; therefore, we should also receive and accept one another. God is the Master and the Judge (Romans 14:10-12). Nobody has the right to “play God” in a person’s life as God alone has the final authority. We can pray, discuss, and even warn, but we cannot judge (see also Matthew 7:1-6). If Christians would go to God in prayer FIRST instead of criticizing and judging others, there would be stronger fellowship and unity within our churches. Our first responsibility is to God and everyone must stand before Him in judgment (Romans 14:10; see also 1 Corinthians 3:10-15; 2 Corinthians 5:10).

Instead of judging, criticizing, and belittling, the Apostle Paul encouraged love and unity among believers (Romans 14:13-23). The key to proper settlement of disputes is love (Romans 14:15). We do not live to please ourselves but God (Romans 14:7-8). If we genuinely love each other as Christ commanded, we will seek to edify each other and build each other up in the faith. Love, holy living and godly service are important to God. We are to serve and love God and love one another with a heart of thanksgiving (Deuteronomy 6:4-6; Matthew 22:34-40). “Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up” (1 Corinthians 8:1, NIV). As stated by Jesus Christ, let us not ignore “justice, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23). God wants everyone to exercise love and patience with one another. The result will be peace and unity within the church to the glory of God. Disunity and disagreement do not glorify God but rob God of His glory (see Genesis 13:8). Christians may hold different convictions and opinions about many matters, but they must hold them in love! In His prayer in John 17, Jesus Christ prayed for the unity of the church to the glory of God (John 17:20-26). Genuine Christians must seek peace!

Apostle Paul:  We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ did not live to please Himself. . . . May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a Servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises He made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for His mercies to them. . . . I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:1-3, 5-9, 13 (NLT)

References

Life Application Study Bible. Carol Streams, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005.

New Student Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1992.

Zondervan NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008.

Wiersbe, Warren W. Bible Exposition Commentary. Victor Books, 1989.