LIVING A LIFE FOR CHRIST

Living a Life for Christ: A Biblical Perspective on Devotion and Discipleship

Introduction Living a life for Christ is the ultimate call for every Christian. It encompasses devotion to God, loving others, and bearing witness to the gospel through our actions and words. Throughout Scripture, we are instructed to model our lives after Christ’s example and teachings. This article explores the biblical principles of living for Christ, providing scriptural references, theological commentary, practical examples, and guidance on how to align our lives with God’s will.

1. Understanding the Call to Discipleship

A foundational truth in Christianity is that every believer is called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. Discipleship involves more than simply professing faith; it requires a lifestyle that reflects Christ’s teachings and character. Jesus Himself called His followers to take up their cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). This means surrendering personal ambitions, worldly desires, and even comfort, in exchange for a life fully committed to God’s will.

Scriptural Reference:

  • Luke 9:23“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
  • Matthew 16:24“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’”

Commentary:

According to theologian John Stott, the call to discipleship involves the complete submission of one’s life to Christ’s lordship. It’s a radical call that demands personal sacrifice and transformation. The Christian life is not about fulfilling personal desires but about living for the glory of God.

2. Living According to Christ’s Example

Jesus Christ is the ultimate model of how to live a life fully dedicated to God. His life on earth exemplified perfect obedience, humility, compassion, and service. As Christians, we are called to imitate Christ in all aspects of our lives, whether in our interactions with others, our work ethic, or our devotion to God.

Scriptural Reference:

  • 1 Peter 2:21“For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.”
  • Philippians 2:5-8“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.”

Commentary:

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul emphasizes the humility of Christ. Theologian N.T. Wright points out that living for Christ is not only about obedience but about embodying the character of Christ—humble, sacrificial, and loving.

3. The Role of the Holy Spirit in Living for Christ

Living a life for Christ is not about human effort alone but about the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Christians are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who guides, empowers, and transforms them to live according to God’s will. It is through the Spirit’s work in us that we are able to bear fruit and live a life pleasing to God.

Scriptural Reference:

  • Romans 8:9“You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you.”
  • Galatians 5:22-23“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

Commentary:

The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is a hallmark of the Christian life. According to theologian Wayne Grudem, the Holy Spirit enables believers to live out the righteousness of Christ by empowering them to grow in grace and resist sin.

4. Living a Life of Love and Service

Living for Christ is inseparable from living a life of love and service. Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God and to love others (Matthew 22:37-40). Our love for God is demonstrated through our love for people, and this love is expressed in tangible acts of service.

Scriptural Reference:

  • John 13:34-35“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
  • Mark 10:45“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Commentary:

Jesus modeled servant leadership. Christian author and theologian C.S. Lewis wrote that true Christian service does not seek recognition but is done out of love for others and for God. Our service to others becomes a witness to the world of Christ’s love.

5. Suffering and Living for Christ

Living a life for Christ involves enduring hardships and suffering. Jesus never promised an easy life, but He assured believers that He would be with them in their trials. Suffering for Christ’s sake is an integral part of discipleship, refining believers’ faith and drawing them closer to God.

Scriptural Reference:

  • Romans 8:17“And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.”
  • 2 Timothy 3:12“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”

Commentary:

The apostle Paul writes extensively on the theme of suffering for Christ. According to theologian D.A. Carson, suffering for the gospel is not just an unfortunate consequence but an expected part of the Christian journey. Through suffering, Christians participate in Christ’s own sufferings and grow in their relationship with Him.

6. The Reward of Living for Christ

Living a life for Christ comes with both immediate and eternal rewards. Though Christians may face challenges in this life, they are assured of God’s presence and the eternal reward of being with Him. Living for Christ now also lays up treasures in heaven.

Scriptural Reference:

  • Matthew 6:19-21“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven…”
  • 2 Corinthians 4:17-18“For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.”

Commentary:

The reward for faithful living is not necessarily immediate or material but eternal. John Piper, a well-known theologian, writes that Christians should live with an eternal perspective, where every act of obedience to Christ contributes to the joy that will be experienced in the presence of God.

7. Practical Examples of Living a Life for Christ

Living a life for Christ looks different in various contexts. Here are a few practical examples:

  1. In the Workplace: A Christian might demonstrate integrity and kindness in their job, working diligently and honestly as a witness to their faith.
    • Colossians 3:23“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.”
  2. In Family Life: Parents are called to raise their children in the fear and knowledge of God, and spouses are called to love and serve each other sacrificially.
    • Ephesians 5:25“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”
    • Proverbs 22:6“Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”
  3. In the Community: Christians are to be a light in their communities, helping the needy, advocating for justice, and sharing the gospel.
    • Matthew 5:14“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

Conclusion

Living a life for Christ is the most fulfilling and meaningful way to live. It is not about achieving personal success or pleasure but about glorifying God through every aspect of life. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to imitate Him, live according to His Word, and depend on the Holy Spirit for guidance and strength. Whether through serving others, enduring trials, or seeking righteousness, our lives should reflect our commitment to Christ and our desire to fulfill His mission on earth.

Sources:

  • Stott, John. The Cross of Christ. IVP, 1986.
  • Wright, N.T. Paul for Everyone: Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. SPCK, 2004.
  • Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology. Zondervan, 1994.
  • Lewis, C.S. Mere Christianity. HarperOne, 2001.
  • Piper, John. Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist. Multnomah, 1986.

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The thematic connection between John 15:1-17 and Galatians 5:22-23

The thematic (theme or subject) connection between John 15:1-17 (ESV) and Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV) lies in the concept of bearing spiritual fruit as a result of a deep, abiding relationship with Christ and living by the Holy Spirit.

John 15:1-17 (ESV)

In John 15:1-17 (ESV), Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to illustrate the necessity of abiding in Him to bear fruit. Here are the key themes:

  1. Abiding in Christ: Jesus emphasizes that believers must remain in Him (the vine) to produce fruit, as branches disconnected from the vine cannot bear fruit (John 15:4-5 (ESV)).
  2. Bearing Fruit: The fruit represents the visible evidence of a Christ-centered life, such as love, obedience, and joy (John 15:8-11 (ESV)).
  3. Love and Obedience: Jesus commands His followers to love one another as He has loved them, linking this love to the concept of bearing fruit (John 15:12-17 (ESV)).

Matthew Henry’s commentary on John 15:1-17 (ESV) highlights the vital connection between Christ and His followers, the necessity of abiding in Him, and the command to love one another. It emphasizes that true discipleship involves bearing fruit through a close relationship with Jesus, obedience to His commandments, and a sacrificial love that mirrors His own. The commentary provides a rich theological understanding and practical application for believers seeking to live out their faith authentically.

Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)

In Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV), Paul describes the fruit of the Spirit, which are the qualities that emerge in a believer’s life as a result of living by the Holy Spirit:

  1. Fruit of the Spirit: The list includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
  2. Living by the Spirit: Paul contrasts the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, emphasizing that a Spirit-led life produces these positive attributes (Galatians 5:16-26 (ESV)).

Matthew Henry commentary on Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV), underscores that these virtues are not achieved by human effort alone but are the result of the Holy Spirit’s work in a believer’s life. He contrasts these fruits with the works of the flesh, noting that the presence of these virtues is evidence of true spiritual transformation. The fruit of the Spirit collectively reflects the character of Christ and the moral and ethical standards that believers are called to embody. By cultivating these fruits, Christians demonstrate the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and live in a way that honors God and blesses others.

Thematic Connections

  1. Source of Fruitfulness:
  • John 15 (ESV): Emphasizes that fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ.
  • Galatians 5 (ESV): Attributes the production of spiritual fruit to living by the Holy Spirit.
  1. Nature of the Fruit:
  • John 15 (ESV): Focuses on love as a primary fruit and evidence of discipleship.
  • Galatians 5 (ESV): Lists multiple aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, including love, joy, and peace.
  1. Purpose and Outcome:
  • John 15 (ESV): Bearing fruit glorifies God and demonstrates that one is a true disciple of Jesus.
  • Galatians 5 (ESV): The fruit of the Spirit reflects a transformed life and the character of God.

But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows, peace that subdues, patience that endures, kindness in action, a life full of virtue, faith that prevails, gentleness of heart, and strength of spirit. Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless . Galatians 5 :22-23 (TPT)

 

Summary

Both passages emphasize the transformation that occurs when believers are deeply connected to Christ and led by the Spirit. John 15 (ESV) uses the vine metaphor to teach the necessity of remaining in Jesus to bear fruit, while Galatians 5 (ESV)details the specific characteristics that the Holy Spirit cultivates in a believer’s life. Together, they highlight that true spiritual fruit is a result of a dynamic relationship with Christ and the active work of the Holy Spirit.

Don’t believe everything you hear.

Don’t believe everything your hear is being the truth. We need to test those spirits, to see if this is from God or the Devil. Let us look at 1 John 4:1-6 (MSG) to how we can know it’s God’s word they are speaking.

1 John 4:1-6 (MSG) – Testing the Spirits

1 Beloved, don’t believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; 3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and now is already in the world. 4 Little children, you are from God and have conquered them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world; therefore, they speak from the world’s perspective and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God. Anyone who knows God listens to us; anyone who is not from God does not listen to us. From this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception.

Explanation with Scripture References:

  1. Testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1 (MSG))“My dear friends, don’t believe everything you hear. Carefully weigh and examine what people tell you. Not everyone who talks about God comes from God. There are a lot of lying preachers loose in the world.”: Comment: John starts by cautioning believers not to believe every spirit but to test them to determine if they are from God. This echoes Jesus’ warning about false prophets in the Sermon on the Mount. Reference: Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)
  2. Confessing Jesus Christ (1 John 4:2-3 (MSG)) “Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!”: Comment: John provides a crucial test for spirits. A spirit is from God if it confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This confession is central to the Christian faith and aligns with Jesus’ teachings about His identity. Reference: Matthew 16:15-16 (ESV); 1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (ESV)
  3. Victory Over False Spirits (1 John 4:4 (MSG)): “Here’s how you test for the genuine Spirit of God. Everyone who confesses openly his faith in Jesus Christ—the Son of God, who came as an actual flesh-and-blood person—comes from God and belongs to God. And everyone who refuses to confess faith in Jesus has nothing in common with God. This is the spirit of antichrist that you heard was coming. Well, here it is, sooner than we thought!” Comment: John assures believers that they have conquered false spirits because the Holy Spirit within them is greater than any deceptive spirit in the world. This reminds us of the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Reference: Romans 8:31-39 (ESV)
  4. Worldly vs. Godly Perspective (1 John 4:5 (MSG)):My dear children, you come from God and belong to God. You have already won a big victory over those false teachers, for the Spirit in you is far stronger than anything in the world. These people belong to the Christ-denying world. They talk the world’s language and the world eats it up. But we come from God and belong to God. Anyone who knows God understands us and listens.” Comment: John distinguishes between those who speak from a worldly perspective and those who are of God. This highlights the contrast between the values and teachings of the world and those of God’s kingdom. Reference: Romans 12:2 (MSG); James 4:4 (ESV)
  5. Listening to Apostolic Teaching (1 John 4:6 (MSG)): “The person who has nothing to do with God will, of course, not listen to us. This is another test for telling the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of deception.” Comment: John asserts that those who are from God will listen to the apostolic teaching, while those who are not from God will reject it. This underscores the authority of the apostles’ message and the discernment needed in identifying true believers. Reference: Acts 2:42 (ESV); 2 Peter 3:2 (ESV); 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (ESV)

In 1 John 4:1-6 (ESV), John encourages believers to be discerning about the spirits and teachings they encounter. He provides a clear test for identifying true spirits from false ones, emphasizing the confession of Jesus Christ’s incarnation as a crucial criterion. John assures believers of their victory over deceptive spirits through the Holy Spirit and warns against adopting a worldly perspective. Ultimately, he underscores the importance of listening to apostolic teaching as a sign of genuine faith. These teachings align with broader biblical principles regarding discernment, the confession of Jesus as Lord, and the role of the Holy Spirit.



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