If you wish to have a Christ-centered life, make these 8 changes to your life

There’s a distinct difference between living a life and living a Christ-centered life. This difference is all about choice and transformation.

Living a Christ-centered life means intentionally choosing to live in the light of His love, every single day. It’s not about following a set of religious rules, but about having an intimate relationship with Jesus and letting this relationship guide your decisions and actions.

If you’re looking to make this powerful shift in your life, there are specific changes that can help guide you on this path. Here are eight changes that can help you lead a more Christ-centered life.

This isn’t about altering who you are, but about aligning yourself more closely with God’s love and purpose for your life. It’s about willingly choosing to walk with Him, every single step of the way. So, here we go.

1) Adopt a daily habit of prayer

Prayer isn’t just a religious ritual, it’s a powerful tool for building your relationship with Christ. And those committed to living a Christ-centered life understand the importance of this spiritual discipline.

Think about it like having a conversation with a close friend. The more you talk and share with each other, the deeper your bond grows. Prayer works in a similar way – it’s an open line of communication with God.

When you make prayer a part of your everyday routine, you’re consciously choosing to invite Christ into your life and decisions.

But remember, prayer isn’t just about asking God for help; it’s also about thanking Him for his blessings, seeking His guidance, and simply spending time in His presence.

So, if you want to make your life more Christ-centered, start by setting aside time each day for prayer. This simple change can have a profound effect on your spiritual journey.

2) Make God’s Word a priority

One of the game-changers for me in my journey to a Christ-centered life was deciding to prioritize reading the Bible.

Before, I would read a verse or two whenever I found the time, which honestly wasn’t often. But then, I made a conscious decision to make God’s Word a part of my daily routine. Irrespective of how busy my schedule got, I started to begin each day by reading a chapter from the Bible.

Gradually, I noticed a shift in my perspective and attitudes. The verses provided guidance and wisdom in areas of my life where I needed it most. The stories of faith, perseverance, and grace inspired me to strive for those qualities in my own life.

Now, not only has my understanding of God deepened, but His Word has become a source of comfort and strength. It’s like having a roadmap for life that helps me navigate even the most challenging situations.

So, if you’re looking to center your life around Christ, don’t underestimate the power of making His Word a daily priority.

3) Practice forgiveness

Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible, with Jesus himself emphasizing its importance in numerous instances. One such mention is in the book of Matthew, where Peter asks Jesus how many times should he forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus replies, “not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22).

The ability to forgive others and ourselves can have a significant impact on leading a Christ-centered life. It’s an act of letting go of resentment and bitterness, allowing us to free our hearts for God’s love.

Interestingly, studies have shown that practicing forgiveness can have positive effects on our mental health, including reducing anxiety, depression, and major psychiatric disorders.

As followers of Christ, we’re called not only to receive God’s forgiveness but also to extend that forgiveness to others. By choosing to forgive, we reflect Christ’s love and grace in our lives.

4) Cultivate a heart of gratitude

Gratitude is more than just saying “thank you”. It’s a mindset, an attitude that can significantly change the way we perceive our lives.

Being thankful isn’t about ignoring life’s challenges or difficulties. Instead, it’s about choosing to focus on God’s blessings amidst all circumstances.

When we cultivate a heart of gratitude, we acknowledge God’s goodness in our lives. We recognize that every good thing comes from Him (James 1:17), and this helps us to trust Him more in times of trouble.

In fact, the Bible encourages us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

So, start counting your blessings, big and small. Not only does it shift your focus from what’s wrong to what’s right, but it also brings you closer to living a Christ-centered life.

5) Serve others selflessly

Living a Christ-centered life means following Jesus’s example of love and service. He said, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

When we serve others, we reflect the heart of Christ. It’s not about recognition or reward; it’s about showing God’s love in practical ways.

I’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of service. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at a local charity, or simply offering a listening ear to a friend in need, these acts of service can have a profound impact.

It’s in these moments that we often experience God’s love most profoundly. And as we serve others, we not only become more like Christ but also bring His light into the world.

So, if you wish to live a Christ-centered life, seek opportunities to serve others selflessly. In doing so, you’ll find that the one being truly blessed is often yourself.

6) Embrace humility

Humility is a virtue that’s been a challenging one for me to cultivate. It’s easy to get caught up in our own accomplishments and importance. But living a Christ-centered life calls us to recognize that everything we have and everything we are comes from God.

Jesus himself showed us the ultimate example of humility when He chose to leave His heavenly throne to live among us, ultimately dying on the cross for our sins.

Embracing humility means acknowledging that we’re not the center of the universe, but rather, Christ is. It’s about putting others’ needs before our own and recognizing that our strength comes from God, not ourselves.

It’s a continuous journey, but I’ve found that the more I embrace humility, the more I’m able to truly live a Christ-centered life.

7) Foster a community of believers

We’re not meant to walk the spiritual journey alone. From the early church in the New Testament to modern-day congregations, community has always been at the heart of Christianity.

Surrounding yourself with a community of believers can provide support, encouragement, and accountability as you strive to live a Christ-centered life.

These relationships can help deepen your understanding of God’s Word, challenge you to grow in your faith, and provide comfort during tough times.

The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

So whether it’s through a local church, small group Bible study, or online fellowship, fostering a community of believers can play an integral role in leading a Christ-centered life.

8) Surrender all to Christ

At the heart of living a Christ-centered life is surrendering everything to Him – our plans, desires, fears, and insecurities.

This means trusting that God’s plans are better than ours, even when they don’t make sense. It means letting go of our need for control and allowing God to lead the way.

Jesus says in Matthew 16:24-25, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”

Surrendering to Christ is not about giving up our dreams or ambitions, but rather aligning them with God’s will. It’s about seeking His kingdom first, knowing that everything else will fall into place (Matthew 6:33).

In this surrender, we find true freedom and fulfillment. And ultimately, we learn what it truly means to live a Christ-centered life.

Final reflection: The journey is personal

Every individual’s path to a Christ-centered life is unique, marked by distinct experiences, challenges, and victories.

One thing remains constant though – the transformative power of Christ’s love.

As we make these changes, we draw closer to the heart of God. We begin to see the world through His lens of love and grace, and our actions start reflecting His character.

It’s essential to remember that this journey isn’t about achieving perfection, but about growing in our relationship with God. The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-14, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”

As you embark on this journey of aligning your life with Christ, may you experience the profound peace and joy that comes from abiding in His love.

Embrace the journey, cherish the changes, and find comfort in the promise that God is with you every step of the way.

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.

We brought Jesus back to life with the help of AI. Ask your toughest life questions, and Jesus will tell you exactly what to do.

Check it out here.

 

Graeme Richards

Graeme Richards

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