Hiking the Life in Christ Trail

Need more purpose and direction in your life? Let this Invitation to Adventure energize you to hike the Life in Christ Trail.

In particular, weigh this advice: “Don’t read my book!” Why would an author say that? To reveal a better way to hike through God’s Word.

“Let’s go hiking!”

As a boy I roamed forests, creek beds, and river valleys in northeast Ohio.  As an adult I have trekked mountain trails in North and South America, including an ascent of Huayna Picchu, the green peak that looms over Machu Picchu, the ancient Incan city in Andes of Peru.  If you have a fear of heights, rest assured that hiking is not mountaineering, which requires the gear, guts, and skills to scale sheer cliffs while hanging on by one’s fingers and toes.  We hikers, by keeping both feet on the ground, enjoy panoramic views without the panic.

My treks have been single day hikes that end by falling exhausted into my own bed.  In contrast, some enthusiasts called thru-hikers haul heavy backpacks for months as they traverse long-distance challenges like the Appalachian Trail (2,200 miles), the Continental Divide Trail (3,028 miles), or the Pacific Crest Trail (2,650 miles).  

So maybe you are wondering: “Are you inviting me on a day-hike or a thru-hike?”  That issue is already settled, because everyone on Earth is a thru-hiker on the rugged trail of life.  However, the good news is you do not need to hike alone.  The God of the Bible offers to walk with us.

This Invitation to Adventure relates some experiences from my hike on The Life in Christ Trail, beginning with:

• Two questions
• Ten building blocks
• A relentless question: Fullness or fraction?

Two Questions about Life

Question One: How are lost people saved?  How do we reach the trailhead and begin hiking with God?  For followers of Christ, the answer is not a mystery.  We are saved by grace through faith in Christ, as Ephesians 2:8-9 says: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.”

Question Two: After we are saved, how do we live for God?  How do we effectively and joyfully walk with God?  The answer is the same as for Question One: We live by grace through faith in Christ.  Paul expresses it this way —  

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.  The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20

Do you fully grasp what Paul means in Gal. 2:20?  If living by faith in the Son of God is a mystery to you, then this ebook is for you.  If walking with the Lord each day by grace through faith sounds appealing to you, then this ebook is for you.

Many Christians are confused about how to live for God, because their congregations, pastors, and denominations approach the subject in many ways.  Which of these ways are familiar to you?

1. Some congregations, pastors, and denominations supply a list of Dos and Don’ts.  
2. Some avoid composing a set of specific rules.  
3. Some claim we can obey God perfectly.  
4. Some claim our sinful nature will always betray us, so don’t expect much progress.  
5. Some teach that obedience depends entirely upon our own will and strength.  
6. Some warn we shouldn’t get carried away with the Holy Spirit thing.
7. Some say the Christian life is synergistic, meaning that God and believers work together.
8. Some are uneasy saying Christians live synergistically, because we are saved by God alone.
9. Some say that when we trust in Christ to save us, everything else will take care of itself.
10. Some teach practically nothing about how to live for God in practical ways.

The baffling variety of approaches can leave us bewildered about how believers are to live.

Personally, I rejoice in Christ’s perfect work of saving me, an imperfect sinner, by offering His perfect life in my place.  “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:8).  Confident of this solid foundation, I have spent my life seeking the Bible’s answers to the questions which logically follow: 

• Now that God has set me on the path of salvation, how do I live for God?  
• What does He desire that I do?  
• How does He supply me the power to obey Him?

A new chapter of exploring these questions began on Jan. 1, 2016, when the Holy Spirit led me to read the Gospel of John with the objective of identifying what it says about how to live as a disciple of Christ.  Amazed by what I found, I immediately dug into John again and recorded my findings thoroughly.  Then with the same objective in mind, I read, marked, learned, and inwardly digested the entire New Testament, until after seven months, I had 174 pages of notes, reflexions, prayers, and questions.  

Ten Building Blocks of Life in Christ

I wasn’t done.  As I continued to read the New Testament and ponder my notes, certain teachings about life in Christ appear repeatedly.  Although Scripture often expresses these teachings in different ways, eventually I defined them, recognized how they interconnect, and arranged them into ten concepts that clarify how believers are to live as Christ’s disciples.

Why do biochemists call amino acids the building blocks of life?  Because amino acids unite to form proteins which are the essential chemicals found in every living cell of both plants and animals.  In like manner, these biblical concepts are the building blocks of our life in Christ.  

1. Fullness.  Jesus Christ provides us fullness.  What does it mean to live in that fullness?  (John 1:16; Col. 2:6-10; Eph. 3:14-21; and Eph. 4:11-13.)
2. Now.  Eternal life is not only our future life in heaven, but also living as God’s children in the present.  Eternal life includes NOW.  (John 1:12; John 6:47; and 2 Peter 1:1-9).
3. Model.  Jesus did not speak and act on His own initiative.  He followed the Father’s directions.  As Jesus did, so may we.  (John 5:19-20; 12:49-50; and 20:21.)
4. Relationship.  The believers’ intimacy with God is expressed in phrases like “child of God,” “Christ in us,” “us in Christ,” etc. (John 14:20, 23; Gal. 2:20; Col. 1:29.) 
5. Fruitfulness.  As God worked miracles through Jesus, so the Lord supplies us power to bear the fruit of good works, which includes loving lost people both near and far and inviting them into His kingdom.  (John 15:5; Phil. 2:12-13; 1 Peter 2:9-12.)
6. Community.  The Christian walk is not a solo hike, but a journey in union with Christ’s followers near and far.  (Mat. 11:28-30; John 15:9-17; John 17; and Eph. 2-5.)
7. Holy Spirit.  He grants power, gifts, and fruit to purify us and accomplish God’s mission.  (Acts 1:8; Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12-14; and Gal. 5:16-26.)
8. Team Trinity.  The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work as a team to save us from sin and to equip us for godly living.  (John 14:12-26; Rom. 6-8; and Eph. 1:3-23.)
9. Pushback.  Spiritual warfare and persecution will arise against those who live in Christ, but God will protect us.  (John 15:18-25; Acts 4:1-31; and Eph. 6:10-20.)
10. Conversation.  Life with God is a two-way dialog with Him (aka prayer) – anytime and anywhere.  (John 10:3-4; Ps. 32:8; Ps. 139:23-24; John 16:12-15; and 1 Thess. 5:16-22.)

A Relentless Question

During my 2016 trek through the New Testament, a question persistently surfaced, refusing to be silenced.  This pithy yet crucial question is: Fullness or fraction?  Allow me to explain. 

• “Fullness or fraction?” voices our fluctuating receptivity of promises such as: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b, emphasis added).
• “Fullness or fraction?” expresses our ambivalence whether the normal Christian life ought to be founded on an assumption of plenty or of scarcity.  
• “Fullness or fraction?” is asked, when a Bible promise is compelling us to step out in faith, yet we waver, uncertain whether the promise applies to us and our situation.  

We worry about what could go wrong on either side of the Fullness or fraction question.  Take healing for example.  In Fullness mode, we might get hijacked by a “health and wealth” Gospel.  In fraction mode, we might hesitate to pray for sick friends to be healed due to uncertainty whether God will do such miracles today.  Take obedience for another example.  In Fullness mode, we might presumptuously take on foolhardy challenges and risks, thereby trusting God for too much.  In fraction mode, we might whittle down God’s challenging commands and lavish promises to something we judge to be more realistic and practical, thereby trusting God for too little.  

Despite all these dangers, Jesus promises, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full,” indicating that our default position should be to seek the advantages of Fullness.  Think of the gears of motorized vehicle.  Fractional thinking keeps us stuck in neutral gear, unable to move forward as followers of the Lord Jesus.  In higher gears we attempt God-sized assignments which can only be reached by trusting in His promises and power. 

Desiring to learn how to shift into higher gears, I asked Team Trinity to instruct me more thoroughly as I delved more deeply into three Bible books: John, Ephesians, and Acts.  As I read, I kept my eyes peeled for texts about the ten building blocks of life in Christ.  Whenever I identified one, I would slow down to discuss it with God.

1. Lord, to what degree am I experiencing what this text describes or promises?
2. In this text what limitations does God place on what He offers us?
3. What limits have congregations, denominations, or theologians placed on this text?
4. What limitations have I allowed to limit what You promise me in this text?
5. Lord, how do You desire that I apply this text to my present situation?

With so much to consider, this section of my thru-hike stretched out over four years,  My daily, Scripture-based conversations with the Team Trinity convinced me to anticipate plenty from His hand rather than scarcity.  Living in this manner did not transform me into a perfect saint, but its impact on me and those around me was so noticeable that the words “Thank You, Lord!” now echo on every page of my journal.  And to my surprise the Lord turned each Bible study into an ebook about living to the max in Christ.  

They are available for free download at www.faithtrekker.org.store.  

Don’t Read This Book

How might you read this book?  Your likely response is: “As with any book, I’ll dive in and read for awhile.  If it grabs my interest, I might finish it.  In the process I will glean a few insights and file them for future reference, but I’ll probably forget the rest.  Then, it’s on to the next book.”

From my own reading habits I’m quite familiar with this process.  However, I invite you to consider another option: Don’t read this book.  Dialogue it. 

The 10th building block of life in Christ is Conversation, a two-way dialogue with God (aka prayer) – anytime and anywhere.  So rather than rushing through your study of John, Ephesians, or Acts, take time to discuss with the Lord what you find and seek His advice how to apply it in your life.  Talking and walking with God this way, you will experience new levels of transformation.  

I recounted my spiritual journey, to inspire you to embark on your own.  Trekking the Life in Christ Trail may strike you as exhilarating or exhausting — or both.  This long-distance hike won’t be quick, and it won’t be easy.  But will it be worth the effort?  

Consider what motivates thru-hikers to slog thousands of miles.  To occasionally reach a panoramic mountain vista is thrilling, but is it payoff enough for months of tramping through cold and heat, wind and rain, thunder and lightning?  To finish what they started is a noteworthy achievement, but is it the ultimate reason to endure the daily self-infliction of backpacking, tent living, limited cuisine, aching muscles, blisters, and risk of severe injury?  A good number of thru-hikers confess that what compelled them to start and to finish was a desire far deeper, even spiritual.  Thru-hikers hike through to:

• Find themselves.
• Sense the presence of something greater than themselves — perhaps even God.
• Discover the meaning of life and their place in this world.  

Thus transformed, thru-hikers return to their mundane lives propelled by their newfound identity and purpose.  If you share such aspirations, hiking through John, Ephesians, or Acts will prove worth your time and effort.  So let’s consider how to prepare for the journey.

Preparations

Few thru-hikers step on the trail without gathering some knowledge and equipment.  Wisely, they learn as much as possible from those who have gone before them.  Here are some guidelines.

Navigation tools.  Thru-hikers carry a map and compass.  Our navigation tool is the Bible. 

Guidebook.  Thru-hikers often carry a guidebook, which informs them about plants, critters, geological features, and vistas to anticipate in the next portion of their trek.  When they encounter these things, they “slow down to smell the roses,” halting to revel in what they see.  Consider this book as your field guide for hiking through John/Ephesians/Acts 1-12, as I point you to the ten building blocks of life in Christ.  Before long, you will learn to identify them yourself. 

Our Trail Guide.  Picture this scene. 

At the close of a day on the trail, a few hikers who had walked separately wind up gathered at a campsite or cabin.  Before turning in for the night, they sit around a campfire, each sharing stories and observations from the day’s trek.  

Then the final hiker reports, “I didn’t see the things you guys mentioned, because I was hiking with my nose in my guidebook.”  The others chuckle at the joke.  

Miffed, he demands, “What’s so funny?!”  

“You’re pulling our leg.”

“Not at all!  It’s quite an informative book.”

The others roar with laughter, because it’s ridiculous to hike with one’s nose in a book while missing the very sights described in it.  

Why did I concoct this humorous vignette?  Because I don’t want you to be dependent on my observations in this book.  I am not your Trail Guide, God is!  Far too often Christians learn second-hand through a pastor or other Bible expert.  Second-hand learning can become such an ingrained habit that believers seldom expect to learn from God directly through His Word.

The greatest joys of thru-hiking Scripture will blossom when the Lord instructs you.  I am only a fellow thru-hiker chatting at the campfire, where we compare what God is teaching us from a Bible portion which we both have hiked.  Our fireside chats will improve as our observation skills develop.  

Observation Skills.  The books in the Fullness or Fraction series proceed chapter by chapter through a book of the Bible.  So, for optimum benefit, prior to reading a chapter or section of my book, first read the corresponding chapter or section of John, Ephesians, or Acts.  Observe what God says about life in Christ.  Do you see any of the ten building blocks of life in Christ?  Whenever you want to, or when drawing to the end of your available study time, slow down and converse with the Lord by means of the observational questions below.  Although this method will seem stiff and clumsy at first, with practice your dialog with God will flow naturally.  

1. Check vital signs.  What am I thankful for today?  What am I stressed about?  
2. Gifts/promises.  In the verses I’ve read today, Lord, show me how You: a) promise and grant people new life; and b) empower and equip us for life in Christ?
3. Response.  In answer to this text how ought people to behave, think, and speak?
4. Experience.  To what degree have I experienced what this text describes or promises?
5. God’s limitations.  Lord, in this text what limits do You place on what You offer?
6. My limitations.  What limits do I place on this text?
7. Church limitations.  What limits have congregations, denominations, pastors or theologians placed on this text?
8. Fullness of fraction:  Will I tell God, “I have all I need”?  Or will I say, “Lord, I need, desire, and seek all You have to give me”?
9. Application.  Lord, based upon this text, what action are You calling me to take?  (Choose a practical, visible act of obedience, rather than a private mental exercise.)
10. Sharing.  Lord, whom will I tell about what this Word of God has taught me?  (Write down the details of who and how.)

Suggestion: For constant access to these questions, either bookmark this list, or copy, paste and print a hard copy to keep in your Bible.

Journal.  Thru-hikers often keep a journal.  If you are not in the habit of putting your thoughts on paper, this suggestion will sound disagreeable.  Or maybe you’ve been wounded by the red-pen of a language and grammar teacher.  However, please take this into account: your journal will be the written log your conversations with the Lord concerning what you discover as you hike through John, Ephesians, or Acts.  Journalling is prayer slowed down to the speed of writing, which grants you more opportunity to compose your thoughts and questions, and to hear what the the Holy Spirit says in reply.  This conversation/adventure is too important to entrust to your limited memory.  The faintest ink will prove superior to the strongest memory.  

You are now prepared and equipped to hike.

Options Before You

So, what will you do with the invitation to dialogue with God as you explore Scripture?  Here are some possible decisions you could make, followed by my response to each one.

1. No thanks.  “I’m not convinced of the need for all this extra busy-work.  So, I’m out!”  

That is your prerogative.  God bless you as you seek other ways to follow Christ.

2. Read, but skip the “homework.”  “I’m a busy person.  So I will stick with my original intent to buzz through this book and then move on another.”

You are free to buzz on through, my friend, but as you read, the 10 building blocks of life in Christ may so impress you that you begin conversing with God about His Word.  In that event, I won’t say, “I told you so!”  I’ll say, “Have a seat at the campfire and tells us what our divine Trail Guide has shown you today.”

3. Give dialogue a try.  “Asking the observational questions and recording my stuff in a journal sounds challenging, but living to the max in Christ sounds like what I need.  So I’ll give it a go.”   

People who hike one day gain a fond memory.  Thru-hikers gain a lifetime to be lived.  Jesus doesn’t call us to be disciples for a day, but every day.  Welcome to the Life in Christ Trail!

4. Hesitation.  “I’d like to try this conversational method, but I’m so used to experts explaining the Bible that any other approach seems suspect.  Would God actually instruct me personally?”  

There is only one way to find out, namely to trust that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  The Holy Spirit who breathed John, Ephesians, and Acts is the best teacher you can have.

5. Fear of failure.  “To hike the Life in Christ Trail sounds appealing, but also appallingly hard.  If I eventually peter out, why bother to start?”  

After a day or two on the trail, every thru-hiker feels weary, no matter how well they prepared.  The trek will be taxing at other times as well.  However, a journey of a thousand miles is more enjoyable in company with others.  So, invite someone to hike with you and share the challenges.

6. Schedule.  “My calendar has busy times ahead.  I don’t know if I can maintain the pace.”  

Thru-hikers are busy people too.  The lucky ones can carve out a few months.  Others cannot, so they hike a section of the trail, and then return to their duties.  Still others start out but are halted by an injury or a family emergency.  When a window opens later, they renew their thru-hike at the point where they left off.  You can do the same.  Don’t be surprised if lessons you learn during your Bible hike prove valuable during a pause when you need to return to “normal life.”  

7. Yes, but with encouragement.

“I want to attempt the journey, but I may need an occasional boost of morale”

We all benefit from reassurance.  Some thru-hikers invite friends to accompany them.  You can do the same.  Other thru-hikers prefer trekking solo, yet they still enjoy evening campfire chats with fellow hikers.  Consider this book a source of such campfire conversation.  In addition, you can learn more and leave comments and questions at my blog page, faithtrekker.org or watch videos and post comments at my YouTube playlist, “Fullness or Fraction.”

By far the supreme confidence lifter is Jesus Christ, our Trail Guide who promises: “Come to me, all you who are weary from toting heavy baggage, and I will provide you rest and relief.  Let’s walk side by side, united by the yoke of friendship.  With a gentle, humble spirit I will teach you, and you will find reassuring rest for your souls” (Matt. 11:28-29, paraphrased).

No matter how long you take to traverse a biblical section of the Life in Christ Trail, the panoramic vistas and increasing spiritual vigor will make it worth your effort.

Setting Off

And so shall it be with God the Father’s colossal promises towering above you, the Lord Jesus beside you on the trail which He Himself blazed, and the Holy Spirit guiding you into ever-expanding faith and purpose, action and resolve.

“See you at the campfire.”