Applying God's Character to Relationships Like Jesus
Applying God's Character to Relationships Like Jesus
Jesus' life and teachings provide a foundation for understanding how to apply God's character to relationships. The biblical concept of holiness is central to this understanding, as it is commanded that believers be holy because God is holy [2]. This call to holiness is not just a moralistic ideal but is deeply rooted in the character of God and Christ.
The character of God serves as the standard for holiness, with Leviticus 19:2 and 1 Peter 1:15-16 emphasizing this point. Christ's own character is also presented as an example to follow, with passages like Romans 8:29 and 1 John 2:6 highlighting the importance of conforming to His image. Jesus demonstrated compassion and empathy towards the afflicted, the chastened, enemies, the poor, and the weak, setting an example for believers to follow [1].
In the Gospel of John, Jesus describes his relationship with his disciples as one of friendship, choosing them and expecting them to demonstrate their friendship by obeying him [9]. This relational dynamic is characterized by love, with Jesus' love for his disciples mirroring the Father's love for him [3]. The apostle John further emphasizes that love has been perfected among believers, enabling them to have confidence on the day of judgment because they are like Christ in this world [4].
The application of God's character to relationships involves demonstrating love and compassion. Believers are encouraged to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving towards one another, just as God in Christ forgave them [7]. This includes showing empathy and sympathy, as illustrated by the image of man and wife, which applies universally to the warm sympathy derived from social ties, including Christian relationships [10].
The biblical concept of marriage is used as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people, with adultery symbolizing Israel's spiritual unfaithfulness [11, 13]. This metaphor underscores the depth of God's commitment and love for his people. Jesus is presented as the supreme example of faithfulness, surpassing even revered figures like Moses [12].
To apply God's character to relationships like Jesus, believers must cultivate certain qualities. Humility is necessary for the service of God, and Christ is an example of this virtue [5]. Diligence is also required, with Christ setting an example in his devotion to his Father's will [8]. The pursuit of holiness and the demonstration of love are not passive but involve active engagement in seeking God, obeying him, and striving after perfection.
The motivation for applying God's character to relationships comes from understanding God's love and compassion. The compassion of God, the sense of our infirmities, and the example of Christ all serve as motives for showing compassion and love to others [1]. As believers are knit together in love, they experience the riches of the full assurance of their understanding, coming to a personal knowledge of the mystery of God, which is Christ [6].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Communion With God — Christ set an example of -- Lu 19:41,42. Exhortation to -- Ro 12:15; 1Pe 3:8. Exercise towards The afflicted. -- Job 6:14; Heb 13:3. The chastened. -- Isa 22:4; Jer 9:1. Enemies. -- Ps 35:13. The poor. -- Pr 19:17. The weak. -- 2Co 11:29; Ga 6:2. Saints. -- 1Co 12:25,26. Inseparable from love to God -- 1Jo 3:17; Joh 4:20. Motives to The compassion of God. -- Mt 13:27,33. The sense of our infirmities. -- Heb 5:2. The wicked made to feel, for saints -- Ps 106:46. Promise to those who show -- Pr 19:17; Mt 10:42. Illustrated -- Lu 10:33; 15:20. Exemp”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- John “I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. -- John 17:23”
- I John “I John 4:17 (BSB) — In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility — Necessary to the service of God -- Mic 6:8. Christ an example of -- Mt 11:29; Joh 13:14,15; Php 2:5-8. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 34:2. The who have Regarded by God. -- Ps 138:6; Isa 66:2. Heard by God. -- Ps 9:12; Isa 10:17. Enjoy the presence of God. -- Isa 57:15. Delivered by God. -- Job 22:29. Lifted up by God. -- Jas 4:10. Exalted by God. -- Lu 14:11; 18:14. Are greatest in Christ's kingdom. -- Mt 18:4; 20:26-28. Receive more grace. -- Pr 3:34; Jas 4:6. Upheld by honour. -- Pr 18:12; 29:23. Is before honour -- Pr 15:33. Leads to riches, honour, ”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:2 (Rotherham) — In order that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, even unto all the riches of the full assurance of their understanding, unto a personal knowledge of the sacred secret of God,—Christ:”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:32 (YLT) — and become one to another kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, according as also God in Christ did forgive you.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 15:14: 15:14-16 Both Abraham and Moses were called friends of God (Exod 33:11; 2 Chr 20:7; Isa 41:8; Jas 2:23). This is the highest relationship possible between God and a person. Jesus chooses his friends (John 15:16), who demonstrate their friendship by obeying him.”
- Ecclesiastes (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ecclesiastes 4:11: (See on Kg1 1:1). The image is taken from man and wife, but applies universally to the warm sympathy derived from social ties. So Christian ties (Luk 24:32; Act 28:15).”
- Ezek (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezek 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 3:1: 3:1-6 The author compares Jesus to Moses, setting Jesus forward as the supreme example of faithfulness. The great status of Moses, a revered figure in Judaism, is used to show the incomparable greatness of Jesus. 3:1 dear brothers and sisters who belong to God: Literally holy brothers. Speakers and writers of the ancient world often addressed religious gatherings as “brothers” (Greek adelphoi), referring to both men and women. • think carefully about this Jesus: Focusing on Jesus is a primary means of persevering in the faith (2:9; 12:1-2). • God’s messenger (lite”
- Ezekiel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezekiel 23:4: 23:4 Marriage is commonly used in the Bible as a symbol for the covenant relationship between God and his people (e.g., Isa 54:1-8; Eph 5:22-33). Adultery symbolizes Israel’s spiritual unfaithfulness (e.g., Hos 1–3). God makes his covenants in spite of, not because of, his people’s character (Rom 5:6-11).”