The New Testament clearly teaches that Christians are called to live a distinctive moral lifestyle. To maintain our fellowship with God">

Basic Christianity Christian Moral Conduct: Walking in the Light       The New Testament clearly teaches that Christians are called to live a distinctive moral lifestyle. To maintain our fellowship with God, we must pursue a moral lifestyle which is defined and limited by the teachings of Christ and his apostles (Matthew 7:24ff; 28:20; Romans 8:4; 1 John 1:7). This moral lifestyle is not relative to our culture. It is filled with absolute things that are true in every generation. Consider the following characteristics of the Christian moral lifestyle: The Christian is not to be hateful, violent, or insulting toward others with either speech or actions (Matthew 5:21ff; 5:38ff; Ephesians 4:29-5:1; Colossians 4:6; James 3:8-18; Eph. 4:26-27). The Christian must live a life of sexual purity. This means that the Christian does not have sex outside of marriage (1 Corinthians 6:18ff; Galatians 5:19ff; Heb. 13:4; 1 Thess. 4:4-6; 1 Corinthians 7:1-5). This also means that the Christian works to focus his/her desires on one's own spouse and not some other individual (Matthew 5:27-30). Christians cannot be practicing homosexuals (Romans 1:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11). Homosexuality as a lifestyle is detestable to God (Leviticus 18:22). Within a legitimate marriage, the sexual relationship is to be cultivated and is good and right in the sight of God (1 Cor. 7:1-5). The Christian must be a person of truthfulness and integrity (Ephesians 4:25ff; Colossians 3:9; Revelation 1:8). Christians must not steal, but must work for their money and their livelihood (Ephesians 4:28; 1 Thess. 4:11; 2 Thess. 3:6-12; Titus 2:10). Honesty and integrity is a mark of the godly lifestyle. The Christian must avoid all forms of drunkenness (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:19-22). The Christian does not escape from life and its responsibilities through alcohol or drugs, but embraces life trusting in God. The Christian lives a life of kindness and service toward others (Ephesians 4:32). The Christian lives a life of love, looking after the interests of people around him/her (Ephesians 5:1-2; Philippians 2:1-5; 1 John 4:7-8). This means that the Christian is always doing some kind of good deed for those who need help around him/her (Galatians 6:9-10; Titus 3:8; 1 Timothy 6:17-19). The Christian is not a lover of money, but a lover of God and other people (1 Timothy 6:9-10). Money and material things are simply blessings to be used in pursuit of the will of God. Christians are givers to the Lord and his work (1 Corinthians 16:1-2; 2 Corinthians 9:5-10; etc). Kindness, service, and benevolence are great marks of the Christian lifestyle and character. The Christian builds strong family relationships. These include a great nurturing of the husband/wife relationship (Ephesians 5:22-end; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Col. 3:18-19), and the parent/child relationship (Ephesians 6:1-4; Colossians 3:20-21). Christianity means strong families, fidelity in marriage, and Christ as the center of every home. The Christian seeks to live as an example to the people around him/her so that they might be drawn closer to God (1 Peter 2:11-12; 1 Timothy 4:12). The moral lifestyle of the Christian is an integral part of what it means to be a Christian. Without the proper moral pursuits, we cannot maintain our fellowship with God (1 John 1:6-7).