5 Things Christians Should Do More Often

Not too long ago, I wrote a post entitled 5 Things Christians Should Stop Doing Right Now. I focused on behaviors that hurt personal testimonies and weaken a Christian’s relationship with Jesus. However, the Christian life is not simply a list of things we shouldn’t do. In fact, that line of thinking risks derailing a Christian’s spiritual life into a joyless faith steeped in legalism. Christians, we need to focus on what we do more than on what we don’t do. In looking at my own life and speaking with other believers, I’ve discovered a few things many of us could improve upon. Let’s look at what Christians should do more often and assess how we’re doing in those areas.

Christians Should Do More Of These…Without Hesitation

A list of ideal, commanded, and recommended Christian behaviors could be seemingly endless. We can serve Christ and live for Him in so many ways, and every person can do so with her unique gifts and personality. I absolutely love that. At the same time, with so many ways to serve and worship the Lord, I think some of the simple everyday things are forgotten.

Below I’m going to discuss five things Christians should not just do but do more often. You might read the list and think it’s Christianity 101 content. And to that I say, it is. Yet, too many Christians don’t do these things.

1. Christians Should Do This More Often: Sacrifice Wants

In general, Christians should do more sacrificing. No, I’m not talking about pagan sacrifice. I mean we should sacrifice our personal desires, wants, and preferences when they impede our ability to obey the Lord and serve Him.

The things Christians refuse to give up never ceases to amaze me. I imagine we could think of an innumerable number of examples, but God’s calling springs to mind. God calls us to all sorts of things. Sometimes people are called to foreign missions, others to fostering children, still more are called to serve in the local church and reach the community. So often, though, we don’t want to answer God’s call. We have better ideas and plans for our own lives.

We respond with a fight. The Lord might be leading you to reach out to a very needy and difficult to like  church member, but you really, really, really, really don’t want to be around that person. Your preference might be to avoid the difficult person despite knowing God wants you to show her love.

Perhaps your job now requires you to behave deceptively and unethically. You don’t feel right about what your boss tells you to do, but you enjoy the lifestyle this job affords. Leaving would almost certainly require sacrificing things you’ve become accustomed to such as big vacations, new cars, name brand clothing, and eating at restaurants a few times a week. You feel convicted to leave, but you won’t sacrifice your wants.

We’ve all been there at some time or another. God calls us to do or say something, but we are unwilling or hesitant to obey because we don’t want to lose something we want. What do we want? Money, power, influence, respect, peace, quiet, comfort, etc… What don’t we want?

Scripture Says Christians Should Do This More

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV)

Let go of your preferences and wants, allowing others to come before you. Life, especially a Christian one, doesn’t revolve around you.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (emphasis mine)

1 Corinthians 13:7 (ESV)

Believers ought to love one another (our enemies and neighbors, too!), and the chapter known as “the love chapter” explains how Christians should love one other. This verse always hits me between the eyes. “Endures all things.” Endure means to suffer patiently. Does that sound like having your wants met and never sacrificing your desires for the good of someone else and the glory of God? If it does, then you should read that definition again because you’re missing it, friends.

“And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”

Galatians 5:24 (ESV)

Sometimes the wants we have are sinful, and we are unwilling to sacrifice them. We rationalize that no one is perfect, and it’s just one thing. Maybe just two or three. But we compromise when we don’t leave those sinful and selfish desires at the cross.

Can we never have what we want? Of course we can. There are times, though, when we need to sacrifice our wants for the sake of others or our own relationship with Jesus. In fact, that’s often the case.

2. Christians Should Do This More Often: Help In An Uncomfortable Ministry

I’ve witnessed churches bully people into serving in ministries because there was a need and those people existed. And I suppose existence was the only qualification. I can’t stand that. No one is a fit for every ministry, and nobody should ever feel bullied into serving. We ought to serve from a desire to obey God because we love Him and His Church.

On the other hand, a lot of Christians don’t serve. Full stop. They come to church on Sunday and go home as soon as the service is finished. No more. No less. Meanwhile, others serve but only within strict parameters because they are comfortable within those self-made boundaries.

Boundaries are good, and serving in ministries that can utilize your gifts is good. Is it good to avoid trying something new, though? I am able to serve in several ways as a believer because I volunteered (or someone strongly encouraged me) to try something new. I came into those situations humbly and ready to learn. And I did learn. The lesson was sometimes that I was not a good fit. At other times, I found something I really enjoyed and was able to do well enough, I think. No one kicked me out, at least.

God has called Christians to be uncomfortable. We need to be willing to do the work that needs to be done and follow wherever God leads us. Saying, “I’m not comfortable doing that” isn’t always a valid reason to reject opportunities to serve. Maybe that’s not a popular take, but I think it should be.

Scripture Says Christians Should Do This More

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

Romans 12:1

Much like we discussed in the previous section, we are called to be sacrificial. Our wants are not always first priority, and this includes how we minister to others. For example, the last thing in the world I’m comfortable with is sharing the gospel. I get nervous and feel like I’m a weirdo in the other person’s eyes, but I’m a living sacrifice. I need to lay down my pride and be willing to witness. I might be uncomfortable, but God blesses our obedience and our service. And even if He didn’t, obedience would be the correct choice.

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Luke 9:23

Christians are called to deny themselves in order to follow after Christ. I can promise very few things, but I won’t hesitate to promise that you’re not following after Christ as well as you can if you don’t deny yourself.

3. Christians Should Do This More Often: Be Hospitable

Are you a hospitable Christian? I think few of us are as hospitable as we would like to be. We’re so busy and consumed with worthwhile pursuits, and figuring out how to fit hospitality into our day-to-day lives is a difficult task. May I suggest it might not be as hard as we all seem to believe?

Hospitable, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as given to generous and cordial reception of guests, promising or suggesting generous and friendly welcome, offering a pleasant or sustaining environment, and readily receptive. To be hospitable does not mean you must provide a meal (though, it can) or even have people in your home (though, it can). This is an attitude and friendly nature that we can have toward fellow church members, church visitors, neighbors, co-workers, and anyone else in our lives.

Essentially, I’m saying we need to open our lives to others. If your house is messy and lunch is PB&J sandwiches, carrots slices, and crackers, you can still invite someone over. Hospitality isn’t about showing off; It’s about showing up. Just be available.

Can’t have people over? No problem. Can you call? Do you have time to stay after church and chat for a bit? I bet you can sit next to someone at a church function and make them feel included. You can probably bring someone a meal. Think outside the box.

Scripture Says Christians Should Do This More

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”

Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)

Have you caught a theme yet? Scripture speaks a lot about sacrifice. God knows that it isn’t easy for us to give and serve others. We are inherently selfish and self-focused. The Holy Spirit will convict us and nudge us. We need only listen to Him and obey.

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

1 Peter 4:9 (ESV)

Okay. That’s so straightforward that I’m embarrassed to remark on it. However, do take note that Peter reminds us to be hospitable without grumbling. Can we delight in something we aren’t feeling enthusiastic about in our flesh because we take joy in serving the One True God? Yes, we can.

“Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Romans 12:13

Again… So clear. So understandable. Why aren’t more of us eager and willing, then? I’m in the less-than-eager category, but God has worked quite a bit on me in this area. And He continues to. I hope you can say the same if hospitality isn’t natural for you.

4. Christians Should Do This More Often: Belong To Your Community

My best friends are Christians. I’m married to a pastor. My homeschool curriculum is Christian. I spend a great deal of time at church or doing things for church. I attend Christian events and programs. The blog I write is meant to encourage and challenge Christian women. That’s a lot of Christian, isn’t it?

There’s nothing wrong with having a strong Christian community, spending time learning about God, and serving in local ministry. However, the problem occurs when that life is neatly sealed in the Christian bubble. If we only know Christians, then how can we share the gospel? Like it or not, unbelieving people aren’t darkening church doorways. We need to go to them.

A wonderful way to meet and reach the lost is to belong to the community. Christians should do more living outside of the church walls and meet their literal and figurative neighbors. Let them see you participate in daily life. Face it, folks. A lot of nonbelievers think Christians are part of a cult or don’t care about them. Get involved in your community and show them otherwise.

What you do depends on your skills, interests, and where you live, but here are a few ideas. You could join a club, join the community center and take classes, go to children’s events (if you have kids), volunteer, frequent a locally owned business and strike up conversations, or work in your community rather than commuting elsewhere.

Scripture Says Christians Should Do This More

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

Matthew 28:18-20

It’s the Great Commission. Go. Maybe you don’t need to go to another country, but could you go out your front door?

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 14:6

God is patient and desires all to be saved. We know not everyone will come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but how can the unsaved know He is the only way unless Christians are in the community telling people?

We all have our own unique gifts and callings, but God hasn’t called anyone to only be near other Christians.

5. Christians Should Do This More Often: Be Willing To Be Different

I’ll begin by potentially insulting you, though, I hope I don’t. If unsaved people receive you no differently than they do everyone else, then you’re doing it wrong. Any Christian who believes the Bible and lives in obedience to the Lord will not…in any way…avoid being different. Embrace it. Be weird, Christian, and stay weird.

Lost people can like you and be friends with you, but they’ll recognize a difference between the two of you. For some, this difference might cause them to behave in unusual ways such as swearing less or refraining from certain topics. Admittedly, for others it won’t make any difference, but they’ll be watching you.

Your living testimony speaks volumes about what you believe, and the world is watching. If you don’t seem different from the world, then the world won’t believe Jesus changes people or even that we need Him.

I know some people bristle at the idea of being disliked, made fun of, or identified as “weird,” but I encourage you to embrace sticking out. Who cares if people don’t like you or think you’re weird when the reason is that you love and obey Jesus?

Scripture Says Christians Should Do This More

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Romans 12:2

Focus in on those first seven words. Don’t be like the world. That means you’ll have to be different. To stand apart requires we stand out.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

Romans 1:16

It is, ultimately, the gospel that has made you different. It’s the gospel that has brought you from death to life. When we try to blend in, are we not showing that we are ashamed of who we are in Christ? Isn’t that being ashamed of the gospel? I imagine none of us would say we are ashamed of the gospel, but we behave like we are when we attempt to hide how it has changed us.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.”

Psalm 1:1-2

I love Psalm 1. Read the whole thing when you get a minute. For our purposes, we only need to look at the first two verses. This a picture of a person who separates himself from the world’s wisdom, teachings, and traditions. He chooses God’s Word as His truth and wisdom. He isn’t like the world. This person stands apart from the world and draws closer to God. That’s the expectation for every single believer.

Final Thought

No Christian is perfect, and I know many of us are doing our best. We take three steps forward in our faith, and then we take a step back. That’s sanctification. So, no one has mastered these five areas of the Christian life. Don’t expect to. On the other hand, see this as an opportunity to evaluate yourself. Where are you strong? Where are you weak? But knowledge isn’t enough. What are you going to do with that information?

This list wasn’t a complete list. What do you think Christians should do more often?

Image courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez via Unsplash.