Living A Wholehearted Christian Life

Friends, let’s be real for a minute. How many of us have felt that disconnect? That feeling of being “on” for Jesus on Sunday morning, singing our hearts out in church, and then walking out the doors and right back into the “real world” where things feel a little… different. We put on our work hats, our parent hats, or our weekend warrior hats, and sometimes our faith hat gets tucked away somewhere in the back of the closet.

It’s easy to think of our lives as a series of separate boxes: the work box, the family box, the hobby box, and maybe, just maybe, a small “faith box” we open up for an hour on Sunday. But the Christian life isn’t meant to be lived in a series of disconnected compartments. It’s meant to be a single, flowing river of faith that touches every shore of our existence and that truly demonstrates we are being a Christian example to others. The goal isn’t just to be a Christian at church; it’s to be a Christian, period. In every place, at every time, in every role we play, we are to show grace to others.

This isn’t just about avoiding a double life; it’s about living a whole life–about showing our love for fellow beings. A life where our belief in Jesus isn’t just a part of who we are, but the very core of our identity that shapes everything we do. Our faith is (or should be) front and center of our lives—something to really live by. After all, the scripture, “the just shall live by faith,” is repeated three times in the New Testament alone (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38).

 The Work-Life Tightrope

Let’s start with the workplace. For many of us, this is where we spend the majority of our waking hours. Being a Christian at work, and especially being a Christian manager at work, it’s also where we face some of our biggest ethical tests. Maybe you’re in a meeting and you know the company is cutting corners on a project, or you’re a manager and you have to make a tough decision about someone on your team. It’s in these moments that our faith is put to the test.

Living an integrated faith at work isn’t always about preaching or quoting scripture in the breakroom. Often, it’s quieter and more subtle. It’s about how you respond to pressure, how you treat your colleagues, and how you conduct your business. In short, how to behave as a Christian is about being known as the honest person who stands up for what’s right and who doesn’t gossip. It’s about doing your work with excellence, as if you are working for the Lord himself, as Colossians 3:23-24 reminds us. It’s about being a light in a place that can often feel dark.

Col. 3:23-24. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.”

 Faith in the Family Arena

Then there’s the family. This is perhaps the most intimate and challenging arena of all. We’re raising kids in a world that is constantly pulling them in a thousand different directions. There are social pressures, digital temptations, and a culture that often seems to be at odds with the values we hold dear.

Bringing faith into your family life isn’t just about saying a prayer before dinner. It’s about modeling it. It’s about how you handle disagreements with your spouse, how you show grace when your kids make mistakes, and how you talk about God’s love in everyday moments. It’s about creating a home where forgiveness is practiced, where kindness is the default, and where Christ is at the center of your family’s identity. It’s about being intentional about what your kids consume, the conversations you have, and the example you set. This isn’t a one-and-done thing; it’s a marathon of consistent, intentional effort to build a home that reflects God’s Kingdom.

 Hobbies and Leisure: Can Fun Be Godly?

And what about our hobbies? Our downtime? Our fun? Does God care about whether we play video games, watch movies, or go hiking? The short answer is “yes.” He cares about all of it. Our leisure activities aren’t meant to be an escape from our faith; they can be a part of it, they can help us in drawing closer to God.

The key is to ask ourselves: Does this activity show me how to get closer to God or pull me away? Does it honor the body and mind He has given me? Does it encourage me to be a better person? Our hobbies can be an incredible way to experience the joy of God’s creation, to build relationships with others, and to refresh our spirits so we can better serve Him. Think of it this way: instead of seeing your hobbies as a break from your faith, see them as another opportunity to live it out. Maybe it’s joining a sports team and being known for your sportsmanship or using your creative talents to serve others in a meaningful way. In activities like this, it can be your way of being a good Christian example

 The Call to an Integrated Life

Why does all of this matter so much? Because a disjointed faith—a faith that lives in separate boxes—can lead to a diminished witness. When people see that our Sunday life doesn’t match our Monday-to-Saturday life, it can create a powerful sense of hypocrisy. It sends the message that our faith is just a performance, not a reality.

But when we live an integrated life, when our faith permeates every corner of our existence, something beautiful happens. We become a living, breathing testament to the power of God. In a sense, we become like a living faith devotional. Our actions, our words, our attitudes—they all point back to the One who saved us. We become a light that can’t be hidden, a city on a hill for all to see.

This isn’t easy. It requires intentional perseverance, but there are many Bible verses about trusting God in difficult times. It requires us to constantly check in with ourselves and ask: “Am I living for Him right now, in this moment, and am I a good example of how to extend grace to others?” It means being willing to make the hard choices, to stand alone if necessary, and to choose righteousness even when it’s inconvenient. But the rewards are immeasurable. You’ll experience a deeper sense of peace, a greater sense of purpose, and a more powerful witness for the gospel. You won’t just be a person of faith; you’ll be a person whose faith is their very life.

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