How to Live Out a Life of Faith
Julie Sunne
Posted in Christian walk, Daily Living, One Thousand (or more) Gifts, Thankfulness, Witnessing, Worship
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4 Comments ↓
Driving home with my 13-year-old son after dropping my daughter off at a respite camp weekend, our conversation turned to faith-talk.
“Mom, is [Delores] a Christian?” Joey asked.
“I … think … so.”
Am I Being a Good Witness
I responded slowly, not quite sure. My next thought turned to me, to my own witness.
Am I living my life in such a way that no one doubts whether Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior?
Am I being a good witness...living my life in such a way that no one doubts whether Jesus is my Lord and Savior? Click To Tweet
Not in My Strength
“You know, it’s really sad when we aren’t sure of someone’s Christian faith,” I ventured to my son. “I pray that if someone is ever asked whether Julie Sunne is a Christian, there is no hesitation in answering yes.”
Not because I am anything great, but because the fruit of my faith is readily apparent.
Not because I can accomplish anything on my own, but because I’ve allowed the Holy Spirit to actively work in my life to bring about transformation and renewal.
Not because I am sinless, but because I love the One who paid the price for my sins enough to publicly proclaim His glory.
Not because I am selfless or overly compassionate, but because I can’t not share His love with others. (sorry about the tortured grammar)
Our faith is something to live out, not just profess. It should be boldly shared. And how can we not?
Our faith is something to live out, not just profess. It should be boldly shared! Click To Tweet
God’s Love
God loved us so much, He sent His Son to die for us, for our sins, so that we could live forever in communion with the Father. And if that’s not enough, the Holy Spirit was sent to guide and strengthen us in our walk on earth.
God did all this for me and for you, not for some other “us.”
In our sin we should perish, but through God’s grace we live forever with Him. There is nothing more worthy to declare.
Being a lukewarm Christian is not an option (Revelation 3:14-19). The Matthew Henry’s commentary explains it like this,
“Lukewarmness or indifference in religion is the worst temper in the world. If religion is a real thing, it is the most excellent thing, and therefore we should be in good earnest in it; if it is not a real thing, it is the vilest imposture, and we should be earnest against it. If religion is worth any thing, it is worth every thing; an indifference here is inexcusable: Why halt you between two opinions? If God be God, follow him; if Baal (be God), follow him. Here is no room for neutrality….Christ expects that men should declare themselves in earnest either for him or against him.”
If we profess our faith in the One true triune God—the Father, the Son (the Savior of mankind), and the Holy Spirit—then we must be bold enough to let His light shine through us. Our faith should be evident by our fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).
Life of Faith
A life of faith doesn’t blaze spectacular. It’s mostly small choices in our day-to-day life.
A life of faith doesn't blaze spectacular. It's mostly small choices in our day-to-day life. Click To Tweet
It’s using words of blessing instead of cursing.
It’s showing love when you’d rather walk away.
It’s forgiving when all you really want is revenge.
It’s being courageous when you are fearful.
It’s giving thanks in the hard.
It’s professing hope when all seems hopeless.
It’s dropping to your knees when you need to stand strong, so you can get back up in the strength of the Lord.
Loving God
Living out our faith is about loving God with our whole hearts, minds, and souls, and reflecting His love brightly in a dark world.
Living out our faith is about loving God with our whole hearts, minds, and souls, and reflecting His love Click To Tweet
As the Psalmist sang,
“Sing a new song to the Lord;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
Sing to Yahweh, praise His name;
proclaim His salvation from day to day.
Declare His glory among the nations,
His wonderful works among all peoples.” Psalm 96:1-3
And in Christ we have His power to do it all.
So gather wisdom through God’s Word. Gain discernment in prayer. Be emboldened through worship. Be strengthened by the Spirit.
And as the Lord’s love and grace pours over you each day, let it flow out into the world, declaring His glory and leaving little doubt Who you serve.
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Reflection: Ask yourself: Am I living my life in such a way that no one doubts whether Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior?
Although it seems Ann is no longer offering her Multitude Mondays linkup (although her Joy Dare continues on Twitter and Facebook), I will continue to post my 1000-gift list on Monday (okay, today it’s Tuesday) because it seems a great day for it and because … well … I just can’t quit. (Just between you and me, it helps me in the savor department.)
Blessings
Since beginning nearly 3 years ago, I’ve counted more than 3,000 gifts! What a blessing! So here we go: #3178–3198, read the entire list by clicking here.
- Watching the morning sun spill over the treetops; Iridescent blue of sunlight bouncing just right off crows wings–breathtaking!; Rereading a long-lost favorite book series to kids
- Finally making some sense of my company’s new editing style guide; Picked a full ice cream bucket of red raspberries; Morning mixing of the sun and lake mist–gorgeous!
- Receiving copies of newly published books I edited; Rare supper eating out with Joey and Rachel; A number of youth joining our church choir
- Spent the day leading 7th graders on nature hikes–discussing the workings of God’s creation in biological terms; Moving my afternoon office to the prairie; Kiddos who want to learn
- Power of old hymns to comfort–amazing how they come to mind at the time of need; Rachel’s excitement once we got to camp and her enjoyment at kicking us out; Staying overnight at Mom and Dad’s
- Morning of worshiping, celebrating, eating, and learning with lovely ladies; Gave in and picked out bifocal frames with Mom and Joey’s help–we were entertaining for the nice lady helping us; A boy who still likes to hug his mama
- Hubby home safely; Talking with both college boys who are doing well; Reading about what a joy Rach was at camp and how much fun she had
By His grace ≈ Julie
Find hope in your real-life struggles. We'll chase it together! I am a wife; mom of 4 (including a young adult daughter with special needs); miscarriage mom of 5; author & follower of Jesus Christ. I write, edit, speak and enjoy everything outdoors.
I have found it is fundamental to my faith to live it before those I meet. I heard from a neighbor that his girlfriend asked him if I went to church. The were starting to go to a fairly new church in town. She got baptized this past July. We’ve been able to have a few discussions about the Bible. Her older son went to Army basic training about a month ago. I pray for him as well as her and our neighbor.
What a blessing to others to know you serve the Lord, Cecelia.
Great post Julie – We often try to make our walk of faith complicated. Yet you said it well, “A life of faith doesn’t blaze spectacular. It’s mostly small choices in our day-to-day life.
Thanks, Jon.