The Normal Christian Life

The Normal Christian Life

One of my many heroes was on campus this summer to share God's WORD. Dr. Robertson McQuilken was the president of Columbia International University for a number of years, and if you remember his story, he stepped down from his position to care for his wife, Muriel, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Dr. McQuilken's father, Robert C. McQuilken, was a part of the Victorious Christian Life movement that was the beginning of the conference ministry at America's KESWICK. Both men have grasped and taught the message that is so dear to our ministry.

The victorious Christian life IS the normal Christian life. Dr. Robertson explains it so clearly in the introduction to his book, FREE AND FULFILLED:

Average is not necessarily normal. For example, the average temperature of patients in a hospital may be 100 degrees, but such a temperature is not normal. So it is with the Christian life. The average church experience of church members is far different from New Testament norms for the Christian life.

The normal Christian is characterized by loving responses to ingratitude and indifference, even hostility, and is fill with joy in the midst of unhappy circumstances and with peace when everything goes wrong.

The normal Christian overcomes in the battle with temptation, consistently obeys the laws of God, and grows in self-control, contentment, humility, and courage. Thought processes are so under the control of the Holy Spirit and instructed by Scripture that the normal Christian authentically reflects the attitudes and behavior of Jesus Christ. God has first place in life, and the welfare of others takes precedence over personal desires.

The normal Christian life has power not only for godly living but for effective service in the church. Above all, he or she has the joy of constant companionship with the Lord.

But what is the average Christian experience? Many church members typically think and behave very much like morally upright non-Christians. They are decent enough, but there is nothing supernatural about them. Their behavior is quite explainable in terms of heredity, early environment, and present circumstances. They yield to temptation more often than not, lusting when their body demands it, coveting what they do not have, and taking credit for their accomplishments.

The touchstone for their choices is self-interest, and though they have a love for God and others, it does not control their life. There is little change for the better; in fact, most church members do not expect much improvement and are little concerned by that prospect.

Scripture is not exciting, prayer is perfunctory, and service in the church demonstrates little touch of the supernatural. Above all, their life seems to have an empty core, for it does not center around constant, personal companionship with the Lord.

Well, my brother -- as you read the above, the question is this: Are you living life as God intended to be? Freed and fulfilled? Are you living the NORMAL CHRISTIAN life? -- Bill Welte is President and CEO of America's KESWICK

God's WORD for YOU: Proverbs 8-9; 2 Corinthians 3

Great Quote: A saint is never consciously a saint; a saint is consciously dependent on God -- Oswald Chambers