How Then Should We Live?

CONSIDER THIS

Here are some lessons that humor columnist Dave Barry says took him 50 years to learn. (1) Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night. (2) You should never say anything that even remotely suggests that you think she’s pregnant. (3) Never lick a steak knife.

How very true. In the same way, Paul the apostle lets us know how we should live. In fact, in Colossians 3, he gives us a list of things to do, not as a checklist to please God, but because we’re already in Christ. This is who we are now! Once we grasp who we are, knowing what to do just falls into place.

You see, a follower of Jesus doesn’t need to stress out trying to change and be like Him. If we try doing that, we’d fail and fall short all the time, and then beat ourselves up over it. Who needs to live in failure mode? Instead, we recognize the cross and His resurrection, and by His grace, He is the One who transforms us. We are simply learning to believe and live accordingly, in the changes God has made in us.

Being a Christian isn’t about trying to become someone new; it’s about living out who we already are. Our identity comes from Him. We are chosen, holy and beloved. How then should we live? We belong to Him — so be who you are!