Elevate to the Next Level: “Living Biblically”

In this series, we’ve been looking at how to elevate our discipleship by living as believers in Jesus Christ in a whole new way. Today’s focus is “Living Biblically”—aligning our lives with God’s word rather than the shifting norms of culture.

I remember reading the history of the Great Wall of China, and how the Mongols successfully overcame it and invaded the country. And while the Great Wall has a complicated history, what I found in some historical accounts is that the Mongols bribed one of the gatekeepers to let them in.

Christians are not influencing the world because we lack godly wisdom. Proverbs says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” Jesus adds, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” And Jeremiah reminds us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. Therefore, we must guard what enters our hearts.

We do this by putting in more of the good—God’s word—and rejecting the world’s philosophies. We must form our worldview from Scripture and remain true to biblical doctrines of holiness, righteousness, and faithfulness. Instead of letting the world shape our thinking, we must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us through the renewing of our minds. Ephesians says to put off the old corrupt conduct and be renewed in the spirit of our minds, putting on the new man in true righteousness and holiness.

If we’re not feeding on Scripture, the Holy Spirit has nothing to work with, and we default to sin. Living biblically begins with thinking biblically—opening God’s word daily and applying its wisdom. James warns us to be doers of the word, not hearers only.

We must also avoid becoming so doctrinally correct that we become devotionally wrong. Debates over long‑standing doctrinal differences often distract from our mission. While believers argue, people in our cities are going to hell. Our calling is not endless debate but living out God’s truth.

The Bible remains unmatched. “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” It addresses controversial subjects and modern issues—marriage, morality, gender, addictions, finances, government, and life and death. Written over 1,500 years in multiple languages by diverse authors in varied locations and circumstances, it remains unified and harmonious. It is God’s roadmap to salvation and His instruction manual for life.

So what does a biblically based life look like?

1. It’s a Sacrificial Life

Paul urges us to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. A living sacrifice means putting to death the old self and becoming alive in Christ. Colossians says to set our minds on things above, put to death earthly sins, and put off anger, wrath, malice, and filthy language, putting on the new man renewed in God’s image.

A sacrificial life is set apart for God, modeled after Jesus, who humbled Himself and became obedient to death on the cross. If we want to live biblically, we must obey God’s word and be doers, not hearers only.

2. It’s a Holy Life

Peter writes, “Be holy, for I am holy.” Holiness adorns God’s house, and since believers are His temple, holiness must adorn our hearts. Holiness means being separated from the world and set apart for God, conforming to Christ’s character.

To be holy is to hate sin. Psalm 119 says, “Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life.” Sin pierced Jesus’ hands, feet, and side—it brought Him to Calvary. How can we not hate what caused His suffering?

Holiness doesn’t begin with rules; it begins with God Himself. Yet many Christians adapt their behavior to culture rather than Scripture. When we conform to society, we become less holy. God cannot overlook sin; His nature will not allow it. Habakkuk says He is too pure to look upon evil.

If we want revival, holiness must return to our lives and churches. God says, “Cast away from you all the transgressions… and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.”

3. It’s an Integrious Life

Psalm 15 describes the one who may dwell with God: “He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart.” Integrity is essential because it reflects God’s own character. David led with integrity of heart, and God called him a man after His own heart.

Integrity means honesty, fairness, and adherence to God’s moral principles. It is who we are when no one is looking—who we are in the dark more than in the light. It is a life free from hypocrisy, openly confessing faults and turning from sin. It stands for the truth of God’s word.

Conclusion

We are surrounded by voices telling us how to think and respond. But God calls us to rise above the noise and adopt a biblical worldview. Colossians says to set our minds on things above. We must resist political correctness and respond to evil with good. Peter urges us to be compassionate, tenderhearted, and courteous, returning blessing for evil.

To elevate discipleship, we must live biblically—living sacrificial, holy, and integrious lives grounded in God’s word.

Note: This sermon has been graciously shortened—with permission—to magazine length while preserving its depth and scriptural richness. To read Elevate to the Next Level: “Living Biblically” in its entirety click HERE.

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