Living the Gospel Through the Lens of Editing

In the world of writing, editing is the process that transforms rough drafts into powerful and meaningful works. It involves cutting what doesn’t belong, refining what remains, and clarifying the author’s message. Interestingly, to our benefit, these same principles can be applied to our spiritual lives. Living the gospel—truly following Jesus Christ—is not a one-time act but a continuous process of growth and refinement. Much like editing, it calls for awareness, intention, and humility.

The first editing principle we can apply is cutting out what’s unnecessary. As you know in writing, extra words or off-topic tangents distract from the message. In life, distractions can take the form of bad habits, pride, resentment, or misplaced priorities. The Apostle Paul urged believers to “cast off the works of darkness” (Romans 13:12) and walk in the light. By identifying the parts of our lives that hinder our spiritual growth and removing them through repentance, we give Christ more space to work within us.

Another essential principle is clarity. Editors strive to ensure that every sentence serves a purpose and communicates clearly. In our spiritual journey, clarity means understanding our identity as children of God and our purpose as disciples of Christ. This clarity comes from studying scripture, praying consistently, and aligning our actions with the teachings of Jesus. When we live with spiritual clarity, our decisions, relationships, and service become more focused and Christ-centered.

Consistency is also critical in both editing and discipleship. A well-edited piece maintains a steady tone and voice throughout; likewise, a faithful life should reflect the gospel in all areas—not just at church or in public, but in private moments and difficult decisions. Jesus emphasized this when He taught, “Let your light so shine before men” (Matthew 5:16). Living the gospel consistently means being honest, kind, patient, and faithful—regardless of the circumstances or who’s watching.

Editing is also about revising over time. Writers don’t get everything right on the first draft, and neither do we. Living the gospel means being open to correction, learning from failure, and making daily improvements. God’s grace gives us room to grow. Through the Holy Spirit, we receive ongoing feedback—sometimes gentle, sometimes firm—prompting us to rewrite our attitudes, actions, and assumptions. The gospel doesn’t demand perfection from the start; it invites progress through grace.

Finally, editing reminds us that the goal is not to shine for ourselves, but to highlight the message. In living the gospel, our lives become less about our own success and more about reflecting Jesus. Like a good editor, the Holy Spirit helps us remove what distracts and elevate what matters. When we embrace this process, our lives—though imperfect—can become a testimony of love, redemption, and the transforming power of Christ. In the hands of the master editor, even the roughest drafts of our lives can become something beautiful.