Few weeks ago, my wife and I were having a discussion about Christian life in general. In the middle of our conversation, my wife popped up this question – “So what is actually a victorious Christian life?”. I paused for a moment and said, “Keeping the faith- as simple as that!”.

Though my answer was spontaneous, both the question and the answer stuck in my mind and heart. I have been pondering about it ever since. Sometimes it is good and refreshing to take a break from complicated theological wrangling and the busyness of Christian ministry to just focus on the essentials – in this case, the most essential thing. If we miss this, we miss everything!

It won’t matter in the end whether you were an Armenian or a Calvinist or a Pentecostal or a Methodist or whether you wrote so many books and songs or reached out to many souls. If you don’t remain in the faith till the end, all your spiritual ramblings and so-called spiritual achievements are of no use.

The recent news about Joshua Harris and Marty Simpson only made me think about this all the more. Their lives are not over but right now, they seem to have lost it all – despite having a mountain-heap of treasure in the form of spiritual accomplishments (Best-selling books, popular songs and what not!). No doubt they would have helped and inspired many on their way. But now that they are not in the way, of what use is all that to them right now? If instead, like the thief on the cross beside Jesus, if they had just kept their faith alone, it would have been their real treasure!

Keep it simple

Christian life is as simple as doing the same things you do – everyday mundane stuff – with the Love of Christ, the power of the Holy Spirit and the anticipation of Eternal life with Christ. You don’t have to do super-stuff to be a Christian. Being faithful in the little things of life will suffice. Just to keep the faith is enough. That’s all that is needed and that is what Apostle Paul boasted about at the end of his life:

2 Timothy 4:6-8 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. 7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing. [NET2]

Paul didn’t boast about the churches he had planted, the number of souls he had impacted, the number of teaching letters (or books, in today’s context) he had written or the powerful kings and authorities before whom he had presented the Gospel. Paul had only one thing to say – “I have kept the faith!”. That was enough for him and that is all that matters!

To be reminded of the basics often is so important. This is so true especially for those in Ministry and for those who have been Christians for a long time. We tend to get wrangled in secondary stuff when all that is required of us is to just trust Christ for our Salvation and keep walking all the more diligently in the path of repentance and sanctification, fellowshipping with those who are walking the same way.