Have you ever felt like your spiritual life was a collection of scattered pieces rather than a cohesive story? One day you are passionate about a sermon, the next you are struggling with a persistent habit, and by the third, you feel disconnected from your church family. You aren’t alone. In our “subscription-model” culture, many believers find themselves drifting between spiritual highs and lows without a solid anchor.
To live a life that truly honors God, we need more than just occasional inspiration; we need an internal skeletal structure. In the theology of BibleWithLife, we call this structure the Three Cs of Christian Living: Convictions, Character, and Community. These three pillars work in an upward spiral of growth, transforming how we live out our faith in everyday moments.
What would change if you had unshakeable convictions, Christlike character, and meaningful community guiding your daily decisions? These pillars do more than just improve your behavior; they align your heart with the eternal purposes of God.
Part I: The Pillar of Conviction 📜
Building on the Rock of Truth
Convictions are the non-negotiable biblical truths that anchor our faith. Unlike personal preferences or cultural opinions, biblical convictions remain constant regardless of shifting societal pressures. They provide the theological foundation for everything we believe and do.
In the modern world, the “venom” of doubt is everywhere. Just as we explored in our study of Why the Bronze Serpent Brought Salvation,vthe only remedy for the poison of the wilderness is to look at the Truth provided by God. For the Christian, that Truth is the Word.
1. Discerning Primary and Secondary Doctrines
Not all biblical teachings carry equal weight for salvation and Christian unity. Discerning believers must distinguish between Primary Doctrines (like the deity of Christ and the authority of Scripture) and Secondary Doctrines (like styles of worship). A primary doctrine directly impacts the Gospel message; a secondary doctrine allows for sincere disagreement while maintaining unity.
“Mark 12:30 (KJV): And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.”
Developing these convictions involves more than just reading the Bible; it requires systematic study and an understanding of historic Christian teaching. This is where the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed serve as vital guardrails, preserving the essential truths of the Trinity and the Incarnation across generations.
2. The Power of Personal Rule
Strong convictions require heart commitment. When you define your “Personal Rule of Faith,” you are essentially saying, “This is the ground on which I stand.” Without this, we are like King Saul in the cave of Endor—disguised, desperate, and searching for answers in the dark because the heavens have gone silent. For a deeper look at the tragedy of lost convictions, see The Witch of Endor: Why Did Samuel Really Appear?
Part II: The Pillar of Character 🪵
The Architecture of the Spirit
Convictions without character ring hollow. People watch our actions far more closely than they listen to our words. Character is the internal qualities of Christ formed in us by the Holy Spirit through a process called sanctification.
This transformation happens from the inside out. It is not about “self-improvement” or moral willpower; it is about cooperating with God’s grace. As we saw in our investigation of he Hidden Years of Jesus ,Christ Himself “increased in wisdom and stature” (Luke 2:52), sanctifying the ordinary rhythms of work and growth long before His public ministry began.
1. The Fruit of the Spirit and the Beatitudes
Christlike character shows itself in how we handle money, time, trials, and relationships. Paul and Jesus give us two perfect “blueprints” for this character:
- The Fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
- The Beatitudes: Being poor in spirit, merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker.
“Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
2. Habits of Grace for Daily Growth
Spiritual transformation occurs through “means of grace”—practices that create space for the Spirit to move. These include regular Bible meditation, consistent prayer, and active church fellowship. When we fail, we don’t fall into despair; we enter the cycle of repentance and confession.
“Romans 8:29 (KJV): For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…”
Part III: The Pillar of Community 🤝
Mission in the Body of Christ
God never designed believers to grow in isolation. The local church provides the primary context for spiritual development, mutual care, and Gospel witness. Community fulfills the Great Commission’s call to make disciples together.
1. Practicing the “One-Anothers”
Scripture contains dozens of “one-another” commands that simply cannot be fulfilled on a screen or in solitude. We are called to love one another, serve one another, and bear one another’s burdens. This is the essence of Koinonia—a deep spiritual partnership in Christ.
“Acts 2:42 (KJV): And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.”
2. Missional Living and the BLESS Framework
Community isn’t just about us; it’s about the world. Healthy churches balance gathering for worship with scattering for service. You can use the BLESS framework to live missionally in your neighborhood:
- Begin with prayer.
- Listen to their stories.
- Eat together.
- Serve their needs.
- Share your faith story.
3. Spiritual Gifts and Service
Every believer has been given unique spiritual gifts to serve the collective mission. Whether it is the gift of teaching, mercy, administration, or hospitality, your individual calling serves the body’s health.
“1 Peter 4:10 (KJV): As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as faithful stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
Part IV: Recommended Resources for Your Journey 📚
To strengthen your Three Cs, we recommend these trusted resources:
- For Convictions: Explore the historic creeds and the BibleWithLife Blog for deep-dive theological explorations.
- For Character: Read The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer or Habits of Grace by David Mathis.
- For Community: Join a local church small group and utilize the BLESS framework in your workplace.
- For Families: Use The Jesus Storybook Bible by Sally Lloyd-Jones to connect your children to the overarching story of redemption.
Conclusion: A Living Testimony 🌟
The Three Cs of Christian Living—Convictions, Character, and Community—provide a comprehensive framework for spiritual growth that honors both Scripture and practical experience. Convictions anchor us, Character transforms us, and Community connects us.
Growth in these areas happens gradually. It is a lifelong process of looking to Christ and allowing His Spirit to rewrite our story. As you move forward this week, ask yourself: “Which of these pillars needs my attention today?”
