Louie Giglio - What It Means to Live as a Christian - Part 2
We asked the question, «What does it mean to be Christian?» and we answered that to be Christian is to wholeheartedly and exclusively trust in the person and claims of Jesus Christ, activating a new birth that results in a lifestyle that mirrors His values, teachings, and ways so that others may see and know Him. For three weeks now, we’ve examined this core statement of Jesus: «For God so loved the world.» This demonstrates the magnitude of God’s invitation and heart today. God is inclusive to the degree that He wants the whole world to know that He loves them. He loved the world so much that He gave His one and only Son.
The inclusivity of God becomes very exclusive; everyone is loved by God, and He is moving in love toward every person on planet Earth. Yet He invites them to know His love through the one and only Son. Whoever believes—returning to the broadness of this invitation—this word means entrust and trust, giving their present and eternity to the person and claims of Christ. It is not simply a mental acknowledgment; it involves putting their present and future in the bank of Jesus. Whoever believes means everyone is included—your neighbor, your family member whom you believe will never come to Christ, or your co-worker who seems far from faith. No, whoever believes means this invitation is wide, yet we see the exclusivity of Jesus’s claims: whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
To be Christian is to believe, and to believe is to entrust. When we believe and entrust, we are born into new life; it is to wholeheartedly and exclusively trust in Jesus, activating a new birth that results in a lifestyle. Can we all say «lifestyle» together? It is a lifestyle that mirrors Christ’s values, teachings, and ways so that others may see and know Him. Last week, we turned a page and asked what it means to live like a Christian. Living like a Christian looks like being Christ-like; it looks like being in love with God; it looks like extending grace; it looks like shining light; and it looks like giving generously, specifically to champion those in greatest need. This is what living as a Christian looks like, summed up in Jesus’s words in Matthew’s gospel, chapter five.
Last week, I read this in the NIV translation and today in a paraphrase from Eugene Peterson in The Message. Although paraphrased, Peterson is a skilled Greek and Hebrew scholar translating from original languages for our generation. He captures the words of Jesus as follows: «Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt seasoning that brings out the God flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: you’re here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. No, we’re going public with this as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand, now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop. On a light stand, shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.»
To be Christian, to live as a Christian, is to shine so that the world can see Him. As we wrap up today, number six—though I couldn’t condense this into two words—is that living as a Christian looks like proclaiming good news. Notice how we are in teaching mode. No one is saying «Amen,» smiling, or nodding. No heart rates have gone up. To proclaim good news means that being a Christian is not about telling people more bad news. Living as a Christian is about going through life sharing good news, and I am telling you: the world needs good news! Where do we get this idea? We get it from our calling to proclaim the gospel. We talk about this at Passion City all the time; we want to preach the gospel, lift up the claims of the gospel, and be a gospel-centered church. What is the gospel? Romans 1:16 states, «For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is the power of God for salvation, first to the Jew, and then to the Gentile.»
Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, but what does gospel mean? It’s a Greek word, euangelion, which means good news. So whenever you hear the word gospel, just think of good news. I am not ashamed of the good news because the good news is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes—everyone who entrusts their present and eternity to the claims of Jesus Christ. Everyone who believes finds salvation in the gospel—in the good news. What does it mean to live as a Christian? It means to carry good news and proclaim it. Jesus, through Mark, instructed us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. In Matthew 24, He said this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world to all people and then the end will come. The best part is that the word «preach» doesn’t imply someone is on a platform giving a sermon. It means it will be told, proclaimed, shared, and spread. This means everyone can participate—not just someone on a platform, but everyone who has good news can tell others about it.
If you take the word euangelion and move it into Latin, you arrive at the word evangel. Evangel comes from the «eu» and «angelion,» meaning good news. When you evangelize, you’re just telling people good news. Being an evangelical shouldn’t confine you to a political subgroup or denomination. No, we need to return to the Bible; being evangelical means being a good news bearer. I am a good news bearer because I have received the good news and know that I have the privilege of sharing it. There is a lot of bad news in this world, but above every headline is the message that there is a God in heaven who loves people enough to have given His one and only Son, and as a Christian, I have the privilege of carrying that message.
Recently, someone said, «Well, the word 'Christian' is not in the Bible.» This is a common one-liner of our generation. I’m curious where they heard that. At a party? Someone said, «The word Christian isn’t in the Bible?» I know it’s not, except in that one time in Acts where it is. The person replied that it’s a misinterpretation. I said, «I know, except that in Greek, the one time it’s used in Acts, it is the word 'Christianos, ' which means Christian.» We must return to the heart of God’s word, which asks us to live as believers—Christians who proclaim good news because people need it.
There’s a footnote here: our culture often seeks to shape the conversation, wanting me to believe that God loves me because I’m amazing. In reality, I am incredible because I was made in the image of God, but humanity has a problem. I am human, which means I have problems. If you knew me well, you would see that I have issues. The problem of humanity causes people to do terrible things to themselves and others and to fight against Yahweh. But God loves humankind because we are made in His image, and so He solved humanity’s problem by making our issues His Son’s problem. Through His Son, we who have problems can be called sons and daughters of God. This is good news! However, we must embrace the reality that humanity has a problem. This doesn’t mean you are defective; it means you chose a path that leads to death, and God overcomes that with His love. He invites us to tell everyone on the planet the good news. In other words, be generous with your life, as generosity invites curiosity. Be ready to use words when people become curious about how you live. They probably won’t immediately accept the first explanation you give them about why you’re generous, even if you say, «Because God was generous to me through Jesus.» They will likely have questions, and you must be ready to engage and answer.
It’s okay if you don’t have all the answers. Just keep a few good reference points handy. For instance, a few weeks ago in D.C., Pastor Ben preached an amazing message on the reliability of Scripture. I knew many of the points he made, but a lot of people hadn’t heard them. I learned new things that day and could respond thoughtfully if someone asked, «Isn’t the Bible untrustworthy because it has been changed over thousands of years by countless people?» That claim sounds compelling.» For 35 minutes, Ben completely dismantled that argument. Anyone with an open mind could see this book as the most trustworthy piece of literature ever held in hand.
If someone asked why I am so generous and I replied, «Jesus has been generous to me,» and they said, «I don’t want to believe in the Bible,» I could help them work through that. I also know the YouTube link to Ben’s talk. I might text them and encourage them to watch it, asking them to take 35 minutes to check it out, as it would really help them understand.
Be prepared for this exploration. Have some good resources available. Know what five questions people might ask, and be ready with a book or video that you can share for further exploration. At the end of all this, know that it will be a process: some will say yes, some may say maybe, some will say not quite now, and some will flatly reject it. Leave the results to God. Keep being generous, remain ready to proclaim good news, and remember that number seven is vital: to live as a Christian is to make disciples. Can I get an amen? I know it’s class time, but can I see a show of hands—has anyone poured into your life spiritually? What does it mean to be a disciple? The word comes from a Greek word meaning to help someone progressively learn the word of God, becoming a mature, growing disciple—a true Christ follower trained in the truths of Scripture and the required lifestyle. Has anyone ever done this for you?
Jesus left us with a command when He ascended to heaven. This is how Matthew records it: «All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them…» and we will do that in just a couple of minutes at the end of this gathering. «Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.» This phrase, «Therefore go and make disciples,» is most literally translated as you are on your way to make disciples. As a believer, as a follower of the way, as a Christian, make disciples.
The way you matured was because someone invested in you to help you grow. Now, I encourage you to invest in someone else to help them grow. We often ask who has had someone do this for you. We must ask, who are you doing this for? You might think, «I can’t do that; I haven’t been to seminary; I don’t have degrees; I can’t even comprehend these Greek words.» All you need is to be one or two steps ahead of someone in their faith journey so that you can share what you have learned. This act of teaching and investing is what living as a Christian looks like. It’s not a box to tick off on a census; it’s a declaration: «I want to become a mature follower.»
Lastly, number eight: to live as a Christian is to love one another. Jesus said it clearly, «A new command I give you: Love one another.» Can we say those three words together? «Love one another.» How? «As I have loved you, you must love one another.» Do you know how God has loved you? I ask again: do you know how God has loved you? He has loved you with a love surpassing anything on this planet times a trillion. He loved you before you even knew Him. God demonstrated His love in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. He saw us in our need and said, «I love you so much; I will move toward you.» He sacrificially gave to you before you could do anything for Him because He loves you that much. Have you received that kind of love? Do you realize that you are valued and cherished like that? You matter more to God than a sparrow that falls or the lilies of the field. He sees you; you are on His radar, and He was willing to span eternity for a relationship with you. If you have received this kind of love, show that kind of love to each other.
Why? Because this is how everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you love one another. We may not grasp the entirety of the global church right now, especially with the online church, but we can focus on Passion City Church and say we will be this church. The Greek word for love here is «agape,» the same word we find in John 3:16: «For God so loved the world.» Agape reflects a special kind of love that embodies the idea of preferring one another—preferring God, preferring what God wants, and preferring each other. Isn’t this what Paul meant when he said to consider others more than yourselves? Is there anything more contrary to humanity than that idea? When you join a family of faith, you commit to prioritizing others' needs over your own. You say, «I commit to put your needs before mine,» and in turn, you do the same. No one loses in that dynamic.
This principle applies to a marriage or any family where, for the sake of Christ, we choose to prefer one another. This does not mean sacrificing truth. We stand on the unchanging truths of God’s character and His word. It doesn’t mean we cease to be light in a dark world; it means we refuse to destroy one another. We think deeply before we hurt others. We realize we are family.
We will advocate for the gospel, stand firmly on it, and respect differences among us. I am committed to loving my brother and sister, fighting for them, cheering for them, and praying for them long before I criticize them. I will go to them in private and not air grievances publicly. I seek to resolve conflicts peacefully and privately. If necessary, the Bible guides us in other ways, but I encourage us to pursue the first steps. Christians need to step back from social media’s comment sections, for they rarely lead to constructive dialogue. Show me one instance where a long thread of argument leads to reconciliation; I’ve never seen it. It’s the world’s fight, the world’s way. Jesus instructed us to love one another. I’m not talking about loving the world alone; I’m speaking about loving one another within the body of Christ as He loved us.
When we do this, the world will know they’re part of the agape house—a house where everyone’s needs are met and no one lacks anything. That’s right, and this is our house. In recent days, if you’re generous to this house and a part of it, you’ve helped someone pay their mortgage, supported a family with medical bills they couldn’t afford, and assisted a single mom with her expenses while she transitions between jobs. You’ve met tangible needs within our church community. You may have been unaware of this because it doesn’t need to be publicized.
This is emblematic of a house of love where no one is left behind. If you didn’t know that was possible, it may be because you haven’t engaged deeply enough with the community. This indicates you’re attending but not connecting. You might be coming to a gathering but haven’t yet committed to being part of the family. This family is generous, and I believe Passion City Church can be known for its love—fighting for each other and defending each other. Yes, we challenge one another. Yes, we call each other to grow, but we do it in love.
We rise above by building up rather than tearing down, demonstrating patience, and embracing authentic love—gritty love, true love. We must tell the truth in love and not give up on one another, just as God won’t abandon us. This is what it means to create an agape house, a community of love. It’s a lot! You might think, «I just wanted to be Christ-like; now this feels overwhelming.» Ask God’s Spirit which of these aspects He wants you to focus on right now. As a mature follower of Jesus, you don’t want to merely check a box; you want to deepen your commitment. Find someone to disciple you in that area, someone you admire in that trait. Ask, «Will you spend some time with me? Let’s share a couple of coffees over the next few months and discuss what I’ve learned.»
I promise the individual you help will grow much as you have. This is life—a lifestyle lived for Him.