What Does Living a Christian Life Mean?

21 September 2025: All of us, I am sure, have heard about Christian life, how we should follow it, how we should live it. But what is it in simple terms? What is it that you and I can actually do to live a Christian life with simple principles that we can understand and apply?

I have spoken to hundreds of priests and lay faithful, asking the same question again and again multiple times: "What does it truly mean to live as a Christian in practical, everyday terms?" Through these conversations, personal study, and life experiences, here is something that I have come across, learned, and added my thoughts to for a simple breakdown.

Living a Christian life can be distilled into six foundational principles that serve as both compass and anchor in life's storms. These aren't burdensome rules or complex theology, but rather life-giving practices that draw us closer to God and to the people He's placed in our lives.

1. Lead with Faith – Ora et Labora (Pray and Work)

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." - Proverbs 3:5-6

The ancient Benedictine motto "Ora et Labora" captures something profound about Christian living, we are called to both commune with God and engage actively in His world. Leading with faith means beginning each day in prayer, not as a ritual checkbox, but as a genuine conversation with our Creator.

In my own life, I have found that when I skip this foundational practice, everything else feels off-kilter. The challenges seem insurmountable, decisions feel overwhelming, and I find myself leaning on my own limited understanding rather than God's infinite wisdom. But when I start with prayer, whether it's five minutes of quiet reflection or a longer time of Bible reading and intercession, the day takes on a different quality.

This doesn't mean life becomes easy. Rather, it means we face life's complexities with the assurance that we are not alone, that there's a greater purpose at work, and that our labor, whether in an office, at home, in ministry, or in service, is part of God's larger story.

2. Pursue Excellence – In All Things

"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters." - Colossians 3:23

Excellence in Christian living isn't about perfectionism or earning God's love through performance. It's about recognizing that everything we do is an act of worship, a reflection of the God who created us with unique gifts and talents.

This principle has challenged me to examine my motives. When I write, work at office, or even do mundane tasks like cleaning the house, am I doing it as unto the Lord? Excellence means giving our best effort not to impress others or to feed our ego, but because we serve a God who deserves our finest offering.

This looks different for everyone. For a teacher, it might mean preparing lessons with creativity and care. For a parent, it could mean being fully present during bedtime stories. For a student, it's studying with diligence and integrity. The key is understanding that no task is too small to do with excellence when we are doing it for God's glory.

3. Find Solutions – Discover, Create, Say "Yes And..."

"For nothing will be impossible with God." - Luke 1:37

Christians are called to be problem-solvers and bridge-builders in a world that often seems divided and broken. The "yes and..." principle comes from improvisational theater, but it has profound spiritual applications. Instead of immediately saying "no" or "that won't work," we are challenged to look for possibilities, to seek creative solutions, and to believe that God can work through us to bring healing and hope.

I have learned that this mindset transforms not just how I approach challenges, but how I relate to people who think differently than I do. Rather than shutting down conversations or dismissing ideas, I try to find common ground and build from there. This doesn't mean compromising biblical truth, but it does mean approaching others with humility and curiosity rather than defensiveness.

When faced with problems, whether in relationships, work, or community issues, the Christian response isn't to throw up our hands in despair, but to pray for wisdom, seek godly counsel, and then step forward with faith, believing that God can use our efforts to create something beautiful.

4. Live Joyfully – At All Times, Even When Life is Hard

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance." - James 1:2-3

This might be the most countercultural aspect of Christian living. The world tells us that joy depends on circumstances, good health, financial security, smooth relationships. But Christian joy runs deeper. It's rooted not in what happens to us, but in what Christ has done for us.

Living joyfully doesn't mean pretending everything is fine when it isn't, or slapping on a fake smile during seasons of grief or struggle. It means maintaining an underlying confidence in God's goodness and sovereignty even when life feels overwhelming. It's choosing gratitude over grumbling, hope over despair, and trust over anxiety.

In my hardest seasons, times of loss, disappointment, or uncertainty, I have discovered that joy isn't an emotion I can manufacture, but a fruit of staying connected to Jesus. It often comes in small moments: a friend's encouraging text, an unexpected provision, a beautiful sunset that reminds me of God's creativity and care.

5. Inspire Others – And Be Inspired, Be the Light

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16

We are not called to be light for our own benefit, but to illuminate the path for others. This means living in such a way that people see something different in us, not because we are perfect, but because we are being transformed by the love of Christ.

Pope Leo's powerful message to youth during the welcome mass at St. Peter's Basilica during Jubilee of Youth 2025 resonates deeply with this calling. When he proclaimed that Jesus Christ says "you are the light of the world," he wasn't speaking to a select few, but to every believer—young and old alike. This isn't a suggestion or aspiration; it's our identity in Christ. We don't strive to become the light; we already are the light, and our responsibility is to let that light shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.

Being an inspiration doesn't require a platform or special talents. It happens in everyday interactions: showing patience with a difficult coworker, offering encouragement to a struggling friend, or simply demonstrating peace in the midst of chaos. Sometimes the most powerful inspiration comes through vulnerability, sharing our own struggles and how God is working through them.

At the same time, we need to remain teachable and open to being inspired by others. God often speaks through unexpected messengers, and staying humble and curious allows us to receive the gifts He wants to give us through our relationships.

6. Serve the Common Good – Magnanimity and Solidarity

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." - 1 Peter 4:10

Christian living is inherently outward-focused. We are blessed not just for our own benefit, but to be a blessing to others. This principle calls us to think beyond our immediate family or circle of friends and consider how we can contribute to the flourishing of our entire community.

Magnanimity, greatness of soul, means thinking big about what God might want to do through us. It's asking not just "What's in it for me?" but "How can I use my resources, influence, and gifts to serve others?" Solidarity means recognizing that we're all connected, that another person's suffering matters to us, and that we have a responsibility to work for justice and mercy.

This might look like volunteering at a local food bank, mentoring young people, advocating for policy changes that protect the vulnerable, or simply being a good neighbor who shows up when others are in need.

Living the Principles Daily

These six principles aren't meant to be another burden or source of guilt. They're invitations to experience the abundant life that Jesus promised. They work together, each one strengthening and supporting the others.

Some days we will excel in all areas. Other days we will struggle to remember even one principle. That's okay. Christian living is about grace, not perfection. It's about getting back up when we fall, seeking forgiveness when we fail, and trusting that God is working in us and through us even when we can't see it.

The beautiful truth is that we don't have to figure this out alone. We have the Holy Spirit as our guide, the Bible as our instruction manual, and a community of believers to walk alongside us. Most importantly, we have a Savior who loves us unconditionally and has already secured our victory.

Living a Christian life means embracing these principles not as a way to earn God's love, but as a response to the love He's already shown us. It's about becoming who He created us to be, people who reflect His character and participate in His work of redemption and restoration in this world.

As you consider these principles, remember that the goal isn't perfection but transformation. Start where you are, use what you have, and trust that God will do the rest. The journey of Christian living is not a destination to reach but a path to walk, one day at a time, in the company of the One who loves us more than we can imagine.

I remember you in my daily pray

ers.

Abhishek Joseph

Catholic Connect