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02 January 2013

A list for a holy life

Colin Urquhart is the founder of Kingdom Faith, an author, and an internationally known speaker. He recently published a list of key qualities that he thinks should be found in every believer. The list focusses mainly on what we are, not what we do, though action will inevitably result.

Colin Urquhart speakingColin Urquhart has been living as a Spirit filled believer and follower of Jesus for most of his life. He is serious about his walk with Jesus.

He was a leader in the Charismatic Movement in the 1960s and 70s and has written many books, led churches, published a New Testament translation, spoken at countless meetings, runs a Bible college and has long been a pastor in Kingdom Faith which he founded.

Here is his list of fifteen key qualities that should be found in every believer. It's an interesting list, focussing on holiness and based on much personal experience. Read through it and give it some thought. Notice that the items are more about being something than about doing something. Although most of the statements begin with verbs, the sense is mostly about a state of being. For example, 'being full of praise and adoration' is not a call to action, it's an encouragement to a state of mind and spirit.

  1. Love for God that is expressed in obedience to Him. 
  2. Wholehearted consecration to His will.
  3. Living in the fear of the Lord, not wanting to grieve Him in any way.
  4. Seeking God's glory in all things.
  5. Living with complete trust and confidence in Jesus.
  6. Living at one with the Lord in the communion of His presence at all times.
  7. Living a life of watchful prayer.
  8. Being full of praise and adoration for the Lord.
  9. Diligent use of your time.
  10. Standing strong against temptation.
  11. Being devoted to a life of serving God by serving others.
  12. Walking in humility, not judgement.
  13. Living a life of self-denial, taking up your cross to follow Jesus.
  14. Keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus at all times.
  15. Being submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit as a child of God.

It seems clear to me that Colin's whole approach is geared more to what we are than to what we do. Inevitably what we are results in doing certain things and not doing others. But the actions are results, not causes.

You can read the list on Colin's website along with his short explanation not included above. You might also find some of his audio messages interesting.


Questions:

  • What (if anything) would you add to or remove from this list? Why?
  • Which is the more fundamental, what you are or what you do?
  • Does reading this list affect your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus?
  • If you lived like this, how would it affect the things you say and the things you do?

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