I love compartmentalization. Organization and clear parameters in life help to provide clarity for decision making and future plans. Like a well designed closet, each item of clothing or every pair of shoes has its place and to disrupt that is to sow chaos, or at least some frustration, into our lives. I will admit that not everyone’s closet will be neatly kept, but each person may compartmentalize in other ways. For instance, we like clear lines between work and family. We cherish boundaries between a weekday and a weekend. There is also an important separation of dinner from dessert (even when we would rather have the ice cream first). In other words, we like to bring order to life by separating those things that do not mix or may cause confusion. This isn’t a bad practice except when it’s wrongly applied to spiritual matters.

Unfortunately, our love of comparmentalization often influences our Christian walk as well. We separate church life from “real life.” We set aside our devotional time from the rest of our day as if they are mutually exclusive. Prayer is something we do at meals or in church, yet we think that speaking to God isn’t really necessary while we drive to Walmart or sit down to watch a movie. Speaking of, have we unintentionally separated what we consume on our screens from our status as a “holy priesthood” (1 Peter 2:5) because we see one as spiritual and the other as “me time”?

If you’re feeling the weight of conviction from that last paragraph, you’re not alone. The good news is that this self-made separation of faith and action is not new to the church. 

“But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!”  James 2:18-19

In the second chapter of James we read a potent argument against separating faith from works. This article is not a treatise on this important passage, but keep in mind that James is not arguing for salvation by works but rather that faith and works are inseparable. If you are a Christian, united with Jesus, there is no separation between what you believe and how you live because one will flow from the other. In other words, everything in your life is a spiritual act because you are now “hidden with Christ” according to Colossians 3.

In fact, let’s consider that passage for a moment.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. 3 For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.” Colossians 3:1-3

Notice the progression in these verses. Paul begins with “if then you have been raised”, which points to the redemption of our souls by way of Christ Jesus. Secondly, he instructs us to “seek the things that are above” in accordance with this new position in Christ. This is the work aspect of our faith. We have been raised with Christ and now live in accordance to this new position. This is a high and holy calling for sure, but for the remainder of this article I want to look at a different angle of the faith and works discussion, namely that our faith is a practical faith. What do I mean by “practical”? In short, our faith in Christ is not just a belief in spiritual realities but a means to real life transformation in our families, marriages, workspaces, and neighborhoods.

We love a good life hack. Whether it’s cleaning up tiny pieces of broken glass with a slice of Wonder Bread or grating a stick of butter so that it softens quicker, we love to know practical solutions to daily struggles. I’m not suggesting that the Bible is filled with life hacks, but I would argue that our faith in Christ is not just a belief but a way of life. It’s more than a religious segment of our week – it’s the very foundation of our existence. Our walk with Jesus involves practical, real-world actions guided by a deep abiding faith.

At the writing of this article our church is in the midst of a special series on Wednesday nights called, A Practical Guide for Living the Gospel Life. This series includes practical insights into how followers of Christ should approach marriage, parenting, LGBT issues, media, technology, and more. These practical guidelines are not arbitrary but rather formed by a biblical worldview and understanding of the scriptures. 

Why is this important?

When we separate our faith in Christ from the rest of our life, we miss one of the purposes of our salvation – transformation. The Bible knows nothing of a Christian who claims to believe in Jesus yet doesn’t care about sin or the pursuit of holiness (see 1 John 3). This pursuit of holiness is where our love of Jesus expresses itself in very tangible ways. One of the best places to see this in action is the list found in 2 Peter 1. 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:5-8

I love the fact that Peter provides this helpful list for us, because it gives us realistic guidelines for growing in holiness. Also, notice that these are things that “supplement” our faith and not things that are instantly downloaded into our lives when we first believe. Yes, we are positionally holy because of Jesus but the working out of that new position in Christ comes by way of intentional action, motivated by our love for Jesus and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The seven supplements listed in 2 Peter are given in order that we may be kept from an ineffective or unfruitful relationship with Christ. Like a health supplement may provide what the body needs to work properly, these biblical supplements equip us for living the gospel life. 

With that in mind, let’s unpack these supplements and then ask some questions for personal reflection:

• Virtue (ἀρετή) describes acts of goodness or excellence. While Philippians 4 instructs us to think of things that are excellent (virtuous), the admonition in 1 Peter seems to imply an act of excellence. In our context it may be helpful to consider this as acts of kindness, motivated by a genuine care for others. Is your life marked by this kindness? What practical steps could be taken for you to build acts of kindness into your daily rhythms? How could these new acts of kindness transform your life and relationships?

• Knowledge (γνῶσις) describes the increase in understanding that comes from engaging with the scriptures. While the goal of understanding is ultimately God’s Word hidden in our hearts and minds, the practical steps to get there include study and meditation. If I am to understand the eternal truths found in the Bible I must first take time to read the Bible and think deeply about it. Is regular Bible reading part of your weekly routines? What role does solid Bible teaching have in your maturity as a Christian? Are there things hindering your time spent in the word?

• Self-Control (ἐγκράτεια) is one of the fruits of the Spirit that we see manifest when we resist temptation or unwise thoughts and behaviors. Controlling fleshly impulses and desires is a mark of a mature follower of Christ because it’s part of the denial of self that Jesus himself commanded of us (Luke 9:23). Do I see an increased desire and ability to control my sinful impulses? Are there areas of sin that I refuse to renounce and fight against? Is Jesus more important to me than my own desires?

• Steadfastness (ὑπομονή) is a patient endurance that’s seen when we hold fast to the promises of God in the midst of suffering and hardship (Luke 8:15, Rom 15:4). Steadfastness is a fruit of our faith in Christ and is grown in the soil of trials and temptations. Therefore, when hardships come we can actively remember the fullness of our promised redemption and find strength to endure well. How do you deal with trials in life? Is there a growing confidence in Christ during these times? What steps could you take to prepare for coming hardships and would the previous supplements be helpful in this endeavor?
  

• Godliness (εὐσέβεια) describes the life that mirrors God’s character. In Christ, we have been given all that we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3), yet we’re also instructed to “train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7) in the same way we would train for the Olympics. Our desire for godliness should then be paired with an intentional plan to pursue a life characterized by purity, grace, forgiveness, kindness, compassion, and much more. How have you grown in godliness over the last year, 5 years, 10 years? What rhythms of life have helped you to mature in godliness? 
  

• Brotherly Affection (φιλαδελφία) is a specific love for the body of Christ. We see the practical acts of this love in Romans 12:9-21. In that passage Paul instructs this love to be “genuine” and include the attempt to “outdo one another in showing honor”. Brotherly affection rejoices with those who rejoice and weeps with those who weep. It’s also compassionate, sacrificial, and seeks peace among believers. How do you view the local church? Are there practical ways you are demonstrating love to other brothers and sisters in Christ? Are there any current obstacles that need to be addressed (past hurt, bitterness,etc.)?
  

• Love (ἀγάπη) is the ultimate characteristic of the Christian and is most clearly seen in the sacrificial love of Jesus (Rom 5:8). This kind of love serves those who hate you, forgives those who mock you, and gives to those who may never return the favor. This is not easy, but by God’s grace and in the power of the Spirit all Christians can show this kind of love. Christ-like love often comes at a price, but the practical effects of this love are transformational for us and others. How have you shown this kind of love this week? Are you known for being sacrificial in your service to others? Do you hold onto offenses or are you willing to love those who may not like you? How can you grow more in this Christ-like love?

I pray that this article has been helpful in seeing the practical expression of a vibrant faith in Christ. I pray that the specific supplements mentioned above spark a greater desire to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel. I pray we would come alongside one another in this endeavor as truly united followers of Jesus. I pray that the body of Christ sees marriages saved, families restored, friendships healed, and the lost redeemed because of our active pursuit of these attributes.

There is also one other thing that I pray…

I pray that no one reading this article feels a burden of works-righteousness placed on their back. I pray that the list of supplements to our faith does not replace the actual faith that those actions represent. I pray that the desire for Christlikeness does not eclipse the truth of Christ’s sacrifice for our salvation. 

Brothers and sisters, we have been saved by grace through faith so that none of us can point back to a list of achievements and brag about our abilities. Let us keep the gospel in mind as we pursue our Savior. Be serious about your spiritual maturity. Kill sin in your life and devour the Word of God as much as possible, but never think those things make God love you more. If you are in Christ then you are loved with the same love The Father has for His Son. Let that be your motivation for surrendering every aspect of your life to Him.

By grace we have been made a child of God – now let’s strive to live in light of that reality.

Mike Crump

Pastor of Church Communications

In his role as Pastor of Church Communications, Mike works to promote and resource ongoing ministry/events connected with the body here at Heritage. He also creates & distributes gospel-centered content (both physical & digital) among our wider congregation.