How to be a good Christian?
To be a good Christian, according to the King James Bible and the writings of Ellen G. White, involves several key aspects:
1. 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁-𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿:
* To be a Christian is to be Christlike [ST, November 20, 1884 par. 5], to act as Christ acts, and to have His spirit at all times [RH, March 8, 1892 par. 6].
* Cultivate qualities in harmony with Christ's character, such as being true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report [GW92 445.2].
* Put away all that is unlike the Redeemer [GW92 445.2].
* Be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving [Eph 4:32].
* Cultivate Christlike love [TDG 266.3].
* Be gentle and sympathetic [RH, January 26, 1911 par. 12].
* Be meek and lowly in heart [TDG 290.5].
* Be patient [Titus 2:2].
* Be an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity [1Tim 4:12].
* Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye [Col 3:13].
2. 𝗢𝗯𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗼𝗱'𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀:
* Keep the commandments [Mat 19:17].
* Live by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God [YI, June 21, 1894 par. 6].
* Be a doer of the word, and not hearers only [8MR 329.1].
* Diligently keep the commandments, testimonies, and statutes of the Lord [Deu 6:20].
* Be a Bible Christian [YI, June 21, 1894 par. 6].
3. 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗢𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀:
* Love one another [John 13:34].
* Please his neighbour for his good to edification [Rom 15:7].
* Do good and communicate [Heb 13:16].
* Be kind in all you do and say [PCO 150.6].
* Be universally kind, because Christ was kind [12MR 108.3].
* Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ [Gal 6:2].
* Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow [Isa 1:17].
* Minister to others [1Pet 4:11].
* Be tender and courteous [2SAT 17.6].
* Speak well of others [GW 479.1].
* Be kind and courteous to your neighbors [FE 496.3].
* Be polite to those with whom you come in contact; thus you will be polite to God [UL 248.3].
4. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵:
* Be sober and watch unto prayer [TDG 37.4].
* Pray without ceasing [1Th 5:17].
* In every thing give thanks [1Th 5:18].
* Trust in the Lord with all thine heart [Prv 3:5].
* Fight the good fight of faith [1Tim 6:12].
* Believe God's promises, and walk by faith [3MR 133.3].
* Pray much; walk humbly with God; make personal efforts [10MR 130.2].
* Be of good courage in the Lord [3MR 133.3].
* Commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator [1Pet 4:19].
* Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear [1Pet 3:15].
5. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲:
* Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves [2Cor 13:5].
* Closely examine your manners and habits [GW 105.1].
* Confess your sins [1Jn 1:9].
* Put away all deception [RH, November 8, 1906 par. 13].
* Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded [Jas 4:8].
* Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind [Rom 12:2].
6. 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲:
* Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles [1Pet 2:12].
* Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world [Titus 2:12].
* Abstain from all appearance of evil [1Th 5:22].
* Be perfect [2Cor 13:11].
* Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect [Mat 5:48].
* Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord [Heb 12:14].
* Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good [Rom 12:21].
* Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart [2Tim 2:22].
* Be an example of gospel holiness [19MR 58.2].
7. 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆:
* Be clothed with humility [1Pet 5:5].
* In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves [Phi 2:3].
* Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up [Jas 4:10].
* Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time [1Pet 5:6].
8. 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗲:
* Praising God, and having favour with all the people [Acts 2:47].
* Praise the LORD [Psa 115:18].
* Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name [Psa 100:4].
* Accustom yourselves to speak the praise of God [HP 275.6].
* Cultivate thankfulness [GW 479.1].
By focusing on these aspects, with God's help, you can grow into a good Christian.
