Christianity is more than a mere set of beliefs or a religious tradition. It is a way of life that profoundly impacts the physical, emotional, and spiritual aspects of humanity. Christian practice, rooted in the teachings of the Bible, is not limited to rituals and ceremonies but encompasses a transformative journey towards becoming new creations in Christ.

A life submitted in service to Christ overcomes the weakness of sinful nature, and is set free from the fear of death. Effective faith, evidenced by good works, overcomes the world... transforming families and communities.

Next: Submission, Order, Peace, Godliness

Scripture References
  • Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:11-12 NKJV)
  • ...if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)
  • And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25 NKJV)
  • ...count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. (Romans 6:11-13 NIV)
  • For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJV)
  • ...put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24 NKJV)
  • ...since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him... (Colossians 3:9-10 NKJV)
  • Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:10-14 NKJV)
  • I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1 NKJV)
  • Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NKJV)
  • Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent [from the Lord], to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men... (2 Corinthians 5:9-11a NKJV)
Commentary
  • Just because we are "born again" in Christ's likeness, doesn't mean that we instantly and consistently bear an outward resemblance to Him. Just like our own kids, it may take years to show. Often we can see "his eyes" and "her nose", but there are other times that we wonder "whose child is that?", and then sometimes we feign parental responsibility and playfully accuse our spouse of infidelity. "That can't be my kid... whose is it?" Our greatest joy can be to hear our child declare they want to be just like us when they grow up. And it can be sorrow upon sorrow if they reject us and wish to be nothing like us.
  • As God's children, we are predestined to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. Regardless of our attitude, and regardless of our resistance to the process. It will happen. Submission to that plan helps speed up the process.
  • We are admonished to submit to God's plan for our lives ...today. We are encouraged to imitate Christ. To mimic His manner of life. Not just in our spirit, but in our body... publicly, in our daily life.
  • When the children of the devil can see with their own eyes the outward changes in a child of God's life, they are much more willing to hear the gospel message.

In the above Bible verses, we see the physical effects of Christian practice on believers, and by extention families, communities, and society as a whole:

  1. The War Against the Soul - Abstaining from Fleshly Lusts: The apostle Peter, in his letter to the early Christians, reminds them of their identity as sojourners and pilgrims in this world. He encourages them to abstain from fleshly lusts that war against the soul. By consciously choosing to live honorable lives, believers can silence the accusations of evildoers and instead inspire others to glorify God through their good works. The physical effects of Christian practice begin with the renunciation of worldly desires and a commitment to a lifestyle of moral purity. By avoiding destructive behaviors and sinful habits, individuals protect their physical and emotional well-being while nurturing their spiritual growth.
  2. A New Creation - Transformation in Christ: The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, proclaims that those who are in Christ become new creatures. The old ways, characterized by sin and brokenness, are replaced with a new life filled with hope, purpose, and divine grace. This transformation goes beyond the spiritual realm and affects every aspect of a person's being, including the physical. As individuals embark on their Christian journey, they experience a remarkable metamorphosis. The physical effects of Christian practice are evident as they break free from destructive patterns, addictions, and unhealthy lifestyles. This transformation is not achieved through personal efforts alone but is made possible by the power of God working within believers.
  3. Crucifying the Flesh - Living in the Spirit: In his letter to the Galatians, Paul emphasizes the crucifixion of the flesh, along with its passions and desires, for those who belong to Christ. This act of surrender and self-denial allows believers to live in the Spirit and walk in alignment with God's will. By continually seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, individuals can experience physical and spiritual freedom. Walking in the Spirit leads to a life characterized by righteousness, love, joy, and peace. Christian practice involves an ongoing struggle against the desires of the flesh, which can manifest in various forms such as addictions, selfishness, and immoral behavior. By choosing to live in the Spirit, believers cultivate a healthier and more balanced lifestyle that positively impacts their physical well-being.
  4. Counted Dead to Sin - Offering Ourselves as Instruments of Righteousness: In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul emphasizes the need to consider ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. By refusing to let sin reign in our mortal bodies, we can offer ourselves as instruments of righteousness to God. This involves a conscious decision to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. The physical effects of Christian practice are realized as individuals align their actions and behaviors with God's righteousness. By overcoming the temptations of the flesh, believers experience personal growth, develop healthier relationships, and contribute to the well-being of society. Their bodies become vessels through which God's love, grace, and truth are expressed.
  5. Saved by Grace - Created for Good Works: The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, highlights the foundational truth that salvation is a gift of God's grace, received through faith. This gift does not stem from our own works but is bestowed upon us to fulfill God's purpose. As recipients of this grace, believers are called to engage in good works prepared by God beforehand. Christian practice involves active participation in acts of compassion, justice, and service. By engaging in good works, believers bring about positive change in their communities, promoting physical and social well-being. The physical effects of Christian practice are evident as individuals embody the love and character of Christ in their actions towards others.
  6. Putting on the New Man - Renewed in Righteousness and Holiness: In his letter to the Ephesians, Paul encourages believers to put off their former conduct and be renewed in the spirit of their minds. By embracing their new identity in Christ, they can put on the new man, created according to God's righteousness and holiness. This transformative process encompasses the physical, emotional, and intellectual aspects of individuals. Christian practice involves intentional efforts to cultivate a renewed mindset and adopt new behaviors that reflect godly virtues. The physical effects of Christian practice manifest as individuals develop self-control, integrity, and a desire to live in alignment with God's standards. This transformation enables believers to navigate life's challenges with resilience and promotes their overall well-being.
  7. Love and the Armor of Light - Walking in the Day: The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, emphasizes the importance of love in fulfilling the law. He urges believers to cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Walking properly, as in the day, entails rejecting behaviors associated with revelry, drunkenness, lewdness, lust, strife, and envy. Instead, believers are called to put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. Christian practice involves a commitment to love, compassion, and unity. By prioritizing love for God and neighbor, individuals contribute to the well-being of society and promote physical and emotional healing. The armor of light provides protection against the destructive forces that seek to harm individuals and hinder their spiritual growth.

Christian life and practice has profound physical effects on individuals who embrace its transformative power. As believers abstain from fleshly lusts, crucify the flesh, and live in the Spirit, they experience personal transformation that extends to their physical well-being. By putting off the old ways and embracing their identity as new creations in Christ, believers offer themselves as instruments of righteousness and engage in good works that positively impact their communities. Through love, self-sacrifice, and a renewed mindset, Christian practice empowers individuals to walk in the light, ultimately glorifying God in their bodies and spirits.

Next: Submission, Order, Peace, Godliness