May 29 – June 5, 2026

EVERYDAY CHRISTIANS

Matthew 3:8 “‘…bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance.’” (NASB)

What is the fruit of repentance? Change! Being a different person. Repentance is born out of a genuine change of mind and adopting God’s view of sin. The books of 1 and 2 Kings tell the story of Elisha. He had a BBQ when he received the calling from God. Elisha burned everything of his past life that could tempt him back to it. Once he had done that, what do you think Elisha would do when he caught up with Elijah? Would he just thank Elijah and go back to his plow? Or spend the next few years telling people about his experience with Elijah? Would he still be telling the story years later without ever having acted upon it? No, Elisha knew in his heart that he could not keep his old way of life. We too cannot continue fulfilling our flesh while trying to follow Jesus. You may be saying to me, “There is no comparison between Elisha and me! Elisha was called to be a prophet of God and I’m just a normal everyday Christian.” Well, here’s Jesus’ definition of a normal everyday Christian: “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life shall lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake shall find it” (Matthew 16:24 NASB).

It has nothing to do with Jesus’ love for you. He totally, madly loves you, proving it by dying on the cross for you. It has everything to do with His expectations for you because that’s where His blessings are!

Paul expects ordinary Christians to live according to the Spirit (Romans 8:5-8), holy in actions, words, and thoughts. In Paul’s eyes, Christians progressively walk less in the flesh and more in the Spirit,thirsting and craving after God’s holiness. And if we’re not doing that, we’re not Paul’s idea or Jesus’ idea of what an everyday Christian is supposed to be. 

Being led by the Spirit is a choice. Being led by the Spirit is a lifestyle. It all boils down to this: Everyday Christians live every day like Christ.

 

This is an excerpt from a 90-day devotional written by Emil and Karen. To order the full devotional, click on the TO ORDER DEVOTIONAL page.