Obeying the gospel is the beginning of the Christian life—not the end.
When a person hears the gospel, believes in Jesus Christ, repents of sin, confesses Christ, and is baptized for the remission of sins, that person begins a new life in Christ.
Paul wrote:
“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Romans 6:4
Notice what follows baptism:
WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE.
Christianity is not merely something we profess.
It is something we live.
WE ARE TO BE TRANSFORMED
The Christian must no longer allow the world to determine how he thinks and lives.
Paul wrote:
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
Romans 12:2
Following Christ changes our priorities, our conduct, our speech, our relationships, and our attitude toward sin.
The standard is no longer:
What does the world accept?
The question becomes:
What does God require?
WE MUST PUT AWAY THE OLD LIFE
Becoming a Christian requires leaving sinful practices behind.
Paul instructed Christians:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
“And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
“And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
Ephesians 4:22–24
The gospel does not merely forgive the old life.
It calls us to leave it.
WE MUST LIVE HOLY LIVES
Peter wrote:
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
“Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
1 Peter 1:15–16
Holiness is not reserved for preachers, elders, or unusually devoted Christians.
God calls every Christian to holiness.
That affects what we do when others are watching—and what we do when no one else can see.
WE MUST CONTROL OUR SPEECH
Christian living includes the words we use.
Paul wrote:
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…”
Ephesians 4:29
He also instructed:
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you…”
Ephesians 4:31
The Christian’s speech should demonstrate that his life belongs to Christ.
WE MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Jesus said:
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
John 13:34–35
Christian love is more than an emotion.
It is demonstrated through patience, forgiveness, kindness, sacrifice, service, and concern for others.
John wrote:
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18
WE MUST FORGIVE
Christians who have received God’s forgiveness must be willing to forgive others.
Paul wrote:
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Ephesians 4:32
Holding bitterness and hatred while professing to follow Christ contradicts the life He has called us to live.
WE MUST DO GOOD
Christianity is not merely avoiding evil.
Christians are commanded to do good.
Paul wrote:
“As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Galatians 6:10
Jesus taught:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Matthew 5:16
Our good works do not earn salvation.
They demonstrate a life that has been surrendered to God.
WE MUST RESIST TEMPTATION
Becoming a Christian does not eliminate temptation.
James wrote:
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…”
James 4:7–8
God also promises:
“…God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able…”
1 Corinthians 10:13
The Christian must continually choose faithfulness over sin.
WE MUST GROW SPIRITUALLY
God does not intend for Christians to remain spiritual infants.
Peter commanded:
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 3:18
Spiritual growth requires studying God’s Word, prayer, worship, fellowship, service, obedience, and continually applying God’s truth to our lives.
Peter also wrote:
“As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”
1 Peter 2:2
We cannot expect to become spiritually mature while neglecting the Word that produces spiritual growth.
WE MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL
Jesus warned that discipleship requires endurance.
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
Later He told the church at Smyrna:
“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10
The Christian life is therefore not:
OBEY THE GOSPEL → RETURN TO THE WORLD
The biblical pattern is:
OBEY THE GOSPEL → WALK IN NEWNESS OF LIFE → GROW IN CHRIST → REMAIN FAITHFUL
CHRISTIAN LIVING IS A DAILY COMMITMENT
Jesus said:
“…If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
Notice the word:
DAILY.
Christianity is not confined to a church building on Sunday.
It governs Monday.
It governs our family life.
It governs our work.
It governs our speech.
It governs our relationships.
It governs our decisions.
It governs what we do privately.
It governs our entire life.
The question is not simply:
HAVE I BECOME A CHRISTIAN?
We must also ask:
AM I LIVING AS A CHRISTIAN?
John wrote:
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.”
1 John 2:3
Open the Scriptures. Examine the context. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Test the conclusions.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
The Biblical Pattern 