6 Scriptural Metaphors That Describe the Christian Life

By Paul Arndt missionary at large, The Receptive Life

As we begin 2022, I’d like to share with you six Scriptural metaphors that reorient our understanding of …

  • the incessant attacks of the “unholy trinity” (the devil, the corrupt world, and our own sinful flesh)
  • the daily work of the Triune God on behalf of His creation
  • the power of the Word of God revealed in the Scriptures
  • the promises of the Word incarnate and revealed in the person and work of Jesus
  • the chosen, tangible and available means that the Spirit uses to create, strengthen and sustain our faith, hope and love

And, I’d like to offer up an urgent call for us to …

“fight the good fight”, “finish the race”, “be healed by the wounds of Jesus”, “build our spiritual house on the Rock”, “abide in the Vine”, “daily die to sin and live with Christ”

The following six Scriptural metaphors give us a clear picture of who we really are, who or what we’re up against in this world, our deepest needs, what weapons are at our disposal and how the Triune God gives to us all gifts needed for this life and the one to come.

#1 Spiritual Warfare

Once baptized, the fight is on.

We are marked by the sign of the cross. We have the name of the Triune God on us and we no longer belong to the kingdom of the devil but have been purchased and won by Christ. We march to His orders.

Such redemption brings heavenly and earthly conflict.

As the apostle Paul says, the war is not against “flesh and blood” but against all of the spiritual powers of darkness in the heavenly realms. Such a war is not fought with the weapons of this world but with the full armory of the Triune God … the belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)

Take heart! In Jesus, we have already won!

We do continue to fight until the Lord reappears but, we fight as conquerors and victors against an already vanquished foe! The devil and his demons will rage until the end but the Lord of Hosts, the Valiant One, holds His ground and shouts, “Be still, and know that I am God”. (Psalm 46:10 NIV)

Other Scriptural References:

#2 Malady and Medicine

Only the Triune God can create. His creation is not just “good” but, “very good”. The only thing the devil can do is corrupt. And corrupt he does.

Sickness, suffering, pain, sorrow, trials, trouble, tribulations, fears within and fears without, agitated minds, restless hearts, sleepless nights, back breaking days, pointless months, futile years, frail and dried up lives, a chasing after the wind … all of these are symptoms of a world infected with sin and a life that leads to death.

But into the maladies of the world comes the Messiah.

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:4-6 (NIV)

Take heart! Jesus is our Brother in the flesh, a man of sorrows and one familiar with suffering. He is the Savior who knows no sin of His own but becomes sin for us, the King who conquers death and gives to us the medicine of the forgiveness of sins – life in this world and eternal life in the world to come.

Other Scriptural References:

#3 Building on a Solid Foundation

There’s been a lot of talk about “deconstruction” these days, especially within the evangelical Christian community. Just type in “deconstructing faith” in your internet browser and you’ll see what I mean.

The Scriptural metaphors suggest that the faith is built and constructed on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets with Christ Jesus Himself as the Chief cornerstone.

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 2:19-22 (NIV)

The foundation is sure and certain – the Word in the Scriptures (as proclaimed by the apostles and the prophets) and the Word made flesh in the person and work of Jesus.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV)

Jesus builds and constructs the faith.

He also demolishes.

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10:5 (NIV)

Note what is in the path of the Triune God’s wrecking ball.

It is not the person and work of Jesus, nor the Scriptures, nor the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3-4). Rather, we are called to deconstruct and demolish every deception and lie that comes from the “father of lies”, the devil.

Other Scriptural References:

#4 Physical Training and Daily Exercise

The Christian life is not about performance. It’s about receptivity. It’s not about doing works to earn salvation but about receiving, through faith, the works of Jesus. But what about the verse that says …

… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,

Philippians 2:12 (NIV)

Well, keep reading, and note the One really doing the work.

… continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

“Working out your salvation” …

Such spiritual exercises as reading the Scriptures, doing the “Daily Practice”, prayer, gathering together around the proclamation of the Word of God and the reception of the Sacraments, these might all seem like “works” that we do.

But, a better way to look at it is …

The daily spiritual exercises of the Christian life don’t “do the work of salvation” they are just the means/the ways to get us to the places where the Triune God promises to do His work on us.

Take heart! It is finished! Jesus has done it! Salvation has been accomplished and the Holy Spirit wants to deliver it to our hearts and apply it to our lives.

Let’s discipline ourselves to get to all of the places where the Triune God has promised to give all of His gifts.

Let’s do that!

Other Scriptural References:

#5 Tree and Fruit

Good tree. Good fruit. Bad tree. Bad fruit.

It’s a root problem and solution.

Enough said!

But how does the tree become good? Again, this is the work of the Triune God. We are grafted into the vine by the Gardener. He prunes. He tends. He waters.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

John 15:5-8 (NIV)

Take heart! The Word (in the Scriptures and in the person and work of Jesus) is living and active. It does what it says and reveals what it does.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (NIV)

The Word creates and recreates. It resurrects. It redeems. It brings us into and keeps us in the family of God. It nourishes, sustains, strengthens and bears much fruit.

If all of that is true … let’s abide!

Other Scriptural References:

#6 Dying and Living with Jesus

The Christian life is one of participation …

  • dying with Jesus
  • rising with Jesus

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. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!”

Galatians 2:20-21 (NIV)

Baptism is the drowning of the “Old Adam”. The sinner and his sins die with Jesus on the cross and are laid stone cold in the tomb.

But on the third day, we rise with Jesus. The debt has been canceled by the perfect “Second Adam” and has been accepted by the Father. The resurrection is the receipt that the wage for sin has been paid in full.

We come out of the deep waters, washed and cleansed and purified, and we live with Christ.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his … Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Romans 6:3-8 (NIV)

Other Scriptural References:

The Receptive Life (coming soon)

In this new year I’d like to offer up a spiritual framework that will teach you how …

  • to defend ourselves against the “unholy trinity” (the devil, the corrupt world, and our own sinful flesh)
  • to fight using the Scriptures and all of the promises of the person and work of Jesus
  • and how to rest and receive all of the gifts that only the Triune God can give.

The Receptive Life is built on the core foundations of the Christian faith …

  • the sign of the cross
  • invocation of the Triune God
  • evening and morning prayer
  • the 10 Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer
  • confession and a life of repentance
  • the promise of the forgiveness of sins
  • the use of Baptism and the Lord’s Supper
  • reading, studying and meditation on the Scriptures
  • the commendation of this life into the Lord’s hands
  • the blessing of the Triune God

In the weeks to come I will be releasing a series of videos that will walk you through each of the “stations” of The Receptive Life. I’ll give you the bigger Scriptural context behind the content – the “why” behind the “what”.

For example …

  • why make the sign of the cross and say the invocation?
  • why evening and morning prayers and commendations?
  • why read, study, memorize and meditate on the Scriptures?
  • why a life of repentance?
  • why the 10 Commandments, Creed and Lord’s Prayer?
  • why Baptism and the Lord’s Supper?
  • why understand and live out of one’s Christian vocation?

I like to think of The Receptive Life as a Mr. Miyagi, “wax on, wax off” approach to the Christian faith and life. Here’s a link to a recent post …

Digital Series Starts …

Monday, January 24th

If you want these videos sent directly to your inbox, you can sign up for The Receptive Life email vlog in the button below.

The Receptive Life Email Vlog (here)

There are 6 Stations in The Receptive Life “Daily Practice”. You can start today. Just follow the steps below.

Again, think Mr. Miyagi and “wax on, wax off”.

Here are the daily practices in PDF format:

The Receptive Life Daily Formation Practice

Station 1: Make the Sign of the Cross and Say the Trinitarian Invocation

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Station 2: Pray the Morning and/or Evening Prayer

Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray Thee to keep me this day also from sin and all evil, that all my doings and life may please Thee. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

Luther’s Evening Prayer

I thank Thee, my Heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Thy dear Son, that Thou hast graciously kept me this day, and I pray Thee to forgive me all my sins, where I have done wrong, and graciously keep me this night. For into Thy hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Thy holy angel be with me, that the Wicked Foe may have no power over me. Amen.

(Luther’s Evening and Morning Prayers are taken from The Book of Concord, Triglotta, Small Catechism)

Station 3: Confession

As you prepare to examine your life, say …

Ps. 119:1 Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the Lord’s law. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:133 Establish my footsteps in your word. Don’t let any iniquity have dominion over me. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I don’t forget your commandments. (WEB-BE)

Examine your life according to the 10 Commandments.

You shall have no other gods.

You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.

Honor your father and your mother. 

You shall not murder.

You shall not commit adultery.

You shall not steal.

You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house.

You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

And then say one or all of the following …

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner”

AND/OR

1 John 1:8-10: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we haven’t sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (WEB-BE)

AND/OR

“O almighty God, merciful Father, I, a poor, miserable sinner, confess unto Thee all my sins and iniquities with which I have ever offended Thee and justly deserved Thy temporal and eternal punishment.

But I am heartily sorry for them and sincerely repent of them, and I pray Thee of Thy boundless mercy and for the sake of the holy, innocent, bitter sufferings and death of Thy beloved Son, Jesus Christ, to be gracious and merciful to me, a poor, sinful being.” (The General Confession from The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941)

After making confession, comfort yourselves with the forgiveness of sins that comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

  • remember your Baptism,
  • make use of the Office of the Keys
  • attend the Lord’s Supper in the Divine Service on the Lord’s Day

Station 4: The Reading and Study of Scripture

As you prepare to read the Scriptures say …

Ps. 119:8: Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things out of your law. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:97 How I love your law! It is my meditation all day. (WEB-BE)

Ps. 119:25 My soul is laid low in the dust. Revive me according to your word! (WEB-BE)

And then read or study the Scriptures …

(a method or plan of your choosing)

Station 5: Proclaiming the Lord’s Love in the Morning and His Faithfulness at Night (the Practice of “Commending”)

Psalm 92:1-2: It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, Most High, to proclaim your loving kindness in the morning, and your faithfulness every night (WEB-BE)

Station 6: Say (Sing) the Doxology and the Aaronic Blessing

the “Doxology”

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;

Praise Him, all creatures here below;

Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost!

(Thomas Ken, 1674)

the Aaronic Blessing

“The Lord bless you, and keep you.

The Lord make his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you.

The Lord lift up his face towards you, and give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 (WEB-BE)

All of the gifts that only the Triune God can give to you and your family,

Paul

Other Resources

Here’s a list of links to help you navigate through past videos or other digital resources: