For first-century Christians it was necessary to seek above all else the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). Christians were to attain to the measure of the stature of Christ (Ephesians 4:13). They were to keep seeking the things which were on the God plane (Colossians 3:1-2). The fruit of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life was the necessary product of true Christian faith (John 15:16). The fruit of the Spirit did not consist of passive qualities, but active facets of Christian character requiring considerable effort (Galatians 5:22-23).

Christians were to strive whole-heartedly to be like God in their character. Christian growth took effort expressed in the study of God�s word, prayer, fasting for spiritual reasons, meditation on God�s ways, fellowship in the community of God, maintaining unity by serving God with one heart and soul, and living a life of exemplary conduct. When Paul wrote: "I press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:13-14) he was encouraging Christians to be of the same mind by pressing on toward the same goal and not getting diverted (Philippians 3:15).

Christians were to study God�s word to show themselves approved to God by handling accurately the Scriptures (II Timothy 2:15). According to Matthew�s gospel, Jesus said, "It is written: �Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God�" (Matthew 4:4 NIV). The apostle Paul, understanding the purpose of Scripture, wrote to Timothy that "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (II Timothy 3:16-17 NKJV). These were the standards for first-century Christian living.

Being a first-century Christian was not an easy task. All Christians stumbled in many ways (James 3:2). The Christian life was one of overcoming, growing, and preparing for continuing spiritual service for the living God. Christians had to put forth the effort to overcome, no matter what trials and obstacles they confronted. If they did not, then they were not the mature, complete, and perfect men and women they were to be. Christians were to understand that they did not war after the flesh.

The Christian was engaged in spiritual warfare (II Corinthians 10:3-4) wherein he or she had to resist wrong impulses that led to sin. The Christian was to strive to avoid the evil that was in the world (II Corinthians 6:14-18; Revelation 18:4). The duty of the Christian included bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (II Corinthians 10:3-6). Those whom God had justified by the blood of Jesus and sanctified by God�s Spirit longed to walk in the newness of life, a life of obedience toward God (I John 1:6-7; 2:4). All who would follow the Christian way of life had to contend with trials, ordeals, and obstacles, which tended to discourage them from overcoming and developing Godly character.

First-century Christians had to be tough with their human disposition. It took effort and patient endurance. James wrote to the first-century church-at-large that Christians were to let patient endurance have its perfect result, in conviction and character, so that the Christian may be mature, complete, and perfect, that is, attaining the goal, lacking in nothing (James 1:4). The apostles taught that through Christ, each Christian could conquer every sin, surmount every obstacle, defeat every foe, and overcome every hindrance that stood to thwart the way into God�s kingdom.

Christians, sanctified for a holy purpose, received God�s Holy Spirit and "the right" to become God�s children (John 1:12) and members of the Church. Early Christians found that fulfilling the Christian commitment was not easy but constantly challenging. Each person had to exercise courage in living by God�s way of life. This took conviction and tireless effort. While entering into the New Covenant relationship with God was the most important event in early Christian life, living by its terms and achieving the eternal life it assured, was the most rewarding.

Page last edited: 01/26/06 07:12 PM

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