How do I become a good Christian? (Part 1)

Have you ever wondered if there is a standard for “good” Christianity?

Okay, let’s start with a little story.

I once heard about a man who was very vibrant and vivacious.

You know those kinds of people we are usually drawn to? They live their life out loud. They are warm, friendly, and often charismatic.

But there were a few sketchy things about this guy:

1. Like the adultery thing. He dabbled in it quite a bit and plotted murder to hide his offence.
2. Though he wasn’t known for his anger, I heard he once threatened to kill a man that crossed him.
3. As you can imagine, he was emotional. A great crier and lamenter.

You probably know this man. Many of us do, and the most incredible description of this man was that ‘he was the man after God’s own heart.’

Three men in the Bible had distinct descriptions of their relationship with God-

1. Abraham – a friend of God
2. Enoch – walked with God
3. King David – the man after God’s own heart.

Yes, I was talking about King David.

Even though he lived before Christ, we still reference his words and his life when we contemplate the Christian life.

And it makes sense.

David had the anointing but more than that, he had an innate knowledge of the kingdom of heaven.

You may be wondering – why discuss David when we are talking about Christian standards?

I have a simple reason – David was a man after God’s heart, yet we know that he didn’t have things all figured out.

Here’s how this author explains it:

But here’s a profound lesson we can learn from David’s life: he didn’t hide from his emotions. When he was happy and having a great day, he let God know. And when he was miserable and depressed, he let God know that, too. In all things he told God what was going on in his heart and mind. David gives such a great example of what it’s like to be totally honest. God doesn’t change, but we experience him through the lends of our lives, which is a constant rollercoaster ride–especially for entrepreneurs.”

Kaestner, Greear & Ingram, Faith Driven Entrepreneurs

 

While pondering the above excerpt, I couldn’t help but think about a recent experience.

We launched the first digital product for our business early this week, and I was super psyched because the journey to getting this out was a testimony. He had given us the strength and wisdom to execute.

However, I was disappointed when we didn’t get the kind of traction I had been expecting the first few days.

I questioned my capability and even my obedience. Like –

“God, I thought this was you, why didn’t this work?”

Have you ever felt like this?

You probably have, I think we all have. Some of us more so than others. ??

But I was terribly encouraged when I realised that the man after God’s own heart also struggled. That he had moments when things just didn’t work.

That he had to wait 15 years for the fulfilment of God’s promise, and these weren’t fifteen rosy years – they were hard and desperate times.

Yet, he knew the undeniable secret of the Christian life.

TO TALK TO GOD.

We go to God no matter what we are facing.

King David understood this at a fundamental level, and I believe this was why he flourished.

In one of his most popular Psalms, King David writes—

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil…” Psalm 23:1-4.

A clear reading of this Psalm shows that David was not expecting a problem-free life but the assurance that God will be with him and listen to him no matter what.

Reading through this, what would you do differently in your Christian life?

I know a few things I want to implement.

We’ll talk more about these things in Part 2 of this post. Do look out for it. Thanks, fam.