Living a faithful Christian life isn’t always straightforward.
It’s a journey filled with trials, tribulations, and moments of doubt. But it’s also a journey of hope, love, and unwavering faith.
There’s a lot to learn from Christian thinkers who have walked this path before us. They offer profound insights that can guide us as we navigate our own spiritual journeys.
In this article, I’m going to share with you seven such insights. These pearls of wisdom are not quick fixes or easy answers, but they can help you live a more faithful life.
So let’s dive in and explore these lessons from Christian thinkers together.
1) Embrace humility
The Christian life isn’t about being the best or the most successful. It’s about humility – recognizing our limitations and our need for God.
This concept is deeply rooted in Christian thought. Renowned theologian C.S. Lewis once said, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.”
When we embrace humility, we acknowledge that we are not the center of the universe. We realize that we are part of a larger story – God’s story.
Thinking less about ourselves also makes us more open to others. We become more compassionate, more understanding, more loving.
So, the next time you feel the urge to put your own needs first, remember the wisdom of Christian thinkers. Embrace humility, and let it guide your actions.
But remember: being humble doesn’t mean being passive or weak. It means recognizing where true strength lies – in God and in serving others.
Humility is a powerful tool for living a faithful Christian life. And it’s an insight you can put into practice every day.
2) Practice forgiveness
Forgiveness is a cornerstone of Christian thought, and it’s something I’ve personally grappled with.
I remember when a close friend betrayed my trust. I was hurt, angry, and I wanted to cut ties. But then I remembered the teachings of Christian thinker, Corrie ten Boom, who survived the horrors of a Nazi concentration camp and later said: “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”
So, I chose to forgive my friend. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. But through prayer and reflection, I eventually found peace.
Forgiving him didn’t excuse what he did. Instead, it freed me from the burden of resentment and allowed me to move forward.
In practicing forgiveness, we not only follow Christ’s example but also experience liberation from the chains of bitterness. It’s a vital insight for living a more faithful Christian life.
3) Seek wisdom
In the Book of Proverbs, wisdom is often personified as a woman calling out in the streets, inviting everyone to learn from her. This book, part of the biblical wisdom literature, holds high esteem for wisdom – it’s even considered more precious than rubies!
The pursuit of wisdom is not just about gaining knowledge. It’s about understanding life from God’s perspective and applying that understanding to our daily decisions.
Christian thinker, St. Augustine of Hippo, once stated, “The key to wisdom is this – constant and frequent questioning.” It’s about cultivating curiosity and a desire for truth.
So, as we move forward in our journey of faith, let’s seek wisdom. Let’s ask questions, explore the depth of God’s word and listen to the voice of wisdom calling out to us.
4) Cultivate gratitude
Gratitude plays a significant role in a Christian’s life. It shifts our focus from what we lack to the abundance that’s already present.
In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a German pastor and theologian who stood against Nazi oppression, “In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.”
Practicing gratitude doesn’t mean ignoring life’s difficulties. Rather, it’s about recognizing God’s goodness amidst our challenges.
Gratitude can transform our perspective, ignite joy in our hearts, and truly enrich our lives. It’s an essential insight for living a faithful Christian life.
5) Trust in His plan
There was a time when I was lost, directionless, unsure of where my life was headed. I felt like I was steering a ship in a storm without a compass.
But then, I remembered the wise words of Mother Teresa, “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.”
I realized that life isn’t about having all the answers or being in control. It’s about trust. It’s about surrendering to God’s plan, even when it doesn’t align with ours.
Trusting in God’s plan means recognizing that He’s working all things together for our good, even if we can’t see it right now. It’s about finding peace in the midst of uncertainty and finding strength in our faith.
And once I started trusting, the storm didn’t seem so scary anymore.
6) Serve others
Service to others is a fundamental aspect of Christian living. Jesus himself said, “The greatest among you will be your servant.”
Christian thinker, Martin Luther King Jr., echoed this sentiment when he stated, “Everybody can be great…because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve… You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
Serving others isn’t about getting something in return. It’s about demonstrating love, compassion, and kindness. It’s about reflecting the love of Christ in our actions.
By serving others, we not only enrich the lives of those around us, but we also grow and become more like Christ. This is an invaluable insight for living a faithful Christian life.
7) Connect with God daily
The essence of a faithful Christian life is nurturing an intimate relationship with God. It’s about constant communication, seeking His presence, and listening to His voice.
Billy Graham, one of the most influential Christian evangelists, once said, “God has given us two hands – one to receive with and the other to give with. We are not cisterns made for hoarding; we are channels made for sharing.”
Connecting with God daily isn’t confined to specific religious rituals or practices. It can be as simple as a quiet moment of prayer in the morning, reading a Bible passage during lunch, or reflecting on God’s goodness before bed.
This connection is what fuels our faith, guides our steps, and empowers us to live a life that glorifies God. It’s the heart of living a faithful Christian life.
Final reflection: Faith is a journey
The path of Christian living is a lifelong journey, filled with moments of joy, trials, and profound learning.
One thing that stands out from these insights of Christian thinkers is that faith isn’t a destination, but a journey. A journey of trust, humility, wisdom, gratitude, service, and daily communion with God.
Remember the words of C.S Lewis – “Faith… is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.”
As we navigate this path, let’s embrace these insights not as rigid rules but as guiding principles. Let them illuminate our path, shape our character, and draw us closer to God.
As we reflect on these insights from Christian thinkers that we’ve explored together, may we be inspired to live out our faith in meaningful and impactful ways.
What would Jesus say?
Unsure whether to move on from a failed marriage? Struggling with desire and feeling guilty for it? Wanting to live a life Jesus would be proud of?
Let Jesus tell you how to be a good Christian according to the teachings of the Bible.
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