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Biblical Descriptions of the Christian Life

The Christian life, as described in the Bible, encompasses a transformative journey rooted in a relationship with God through Christ, characterized by specific behaviors and an eternal hope. The term "life" itself carries multiple meanings in Scripture, referring to physical existence, immortality, conduct, spiritual salvation, and eternal life [1]. Christ is presented as the absolute source of all life [1], and eternal life is found in Him [3].

A foundational aspect of the Christian life is fellowship with God, described in 1 John 1:6 as the "essence" of this life [8]. This fellowship is demonstrated by "walking in the light" rather than "in darkness," implying a practical adherence to truth in both inward and outward actions [8]. The Christian life is not merely a profession of faith but an active doing of the truth [8].

The Reformed tradition, particularly through John Calvin, emphasizes self-denial as a core principle of the Christian life. Calvin states that the rule for righteousness requires individuals to abandon their own will and devote themselves entirely to God's service, seeking God's interests rather than their own [5]. This involves a love for righteousness, striving for holiness because God is holy and believers are united with Him [6]. Calvin outlines the Christian life as having two main parts: first, a universal love for righteousness, and second, a prescribed rule to guide believers in their pursuit of righteousness, conforming them to Christ [6, 14]. This conformity to Christ is a model for believers [6]. Further aspects of self-denial include bearing the cross and meditating on the future life, while also understanding how to appropriately use the present life and its comforts [13].

The human nature of Christ is central to understanding the Christian life, as it provides a model for humility and service. Christ's humility was evident in His taking on human nature, His birth, subjection to parents, poverty, partaking in human infirmities, and becoming a servant [2, 4]. He refused honors and associated with the despised, even washing His disciples' feet [2]. This mediatorial office required Him to become human [11].

The Christian life is also characterized as a free response to God's grace [9, 12]. This understanding underscores that believers are called to live out their faith not under compulsion, but out of gratitude for God's unmerited favor [9, 12]. The experience and personal knowledge of God's grace and love in Jesus Christ form the basis of this life [10]. Believers are to be filled with the "fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within," leading to conformity to His image and a reflection of God [10].

Early Christian writers also offered perspectives on the Christian life. Clement of Alexandria, for instance, provided a "compendious view" of the Christian life, emphasizing how those consecrated to Christ should appear and conduct themselves in their entire lives, mirroring their conduct in the church [7]. Origen further elaborates on Christ as "Life," asserting that the principle of pure life resides in Him, and those who share in Christ live the "true life" [15]. Without this true light, there is no true life [15].

Sources

  1. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Life — Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Humility of Christ, The — Declared by himself -- Mt 11:29. Exhibited in his Taking our nature. -- Php 2:7; Heb 2:16. Birth. -- Lu 2:4-7. Subjection to his parents. -- Lu 2:51. Station in life. -- Mt 13:55; Joh 9:29. Poverty. -- Lu 9:58; 2Co 8:9. Partaking of our infirmities. -- Heb 4:15; 5:7. Submitting to ordinances. -- Mt 3:13-15. Becoming a servant. -- Mt 20:28; Lu 22:27; Php 2:7. Associating with the despised. -- Mt 9:10,11; Lu 15:1,2. Refusing honours. -- Joh 5:41; 6:15. Entry into Jerusalem. -- Zec 9:9; Mt 21:5,7. Washing his disciples' feet. -- Joh 13:5. Obedi”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Life, Eternal — Christ is -- 1Jo 1:2; 5:20. Revealed by Christ -- Joh 6:68; 2Ti 1:10. To know God and Christ is -- Joh 17:3. Given By God. -- Ps 133:3; Ro 6:23. By Christ. -- Joh 6:27; 10:28. In Christ. -- 1Jo 5:11. Through Christ. -- Ro 5:21; 6:23. To all given to Christ. -- Joh 17:2. To those who believe in God. -- Joh 5:24. To those who believe in Christ. -- Joh 3:15,16; 6:40,47. To those who hate life for Christ. -- Joh 12:25. In answer to prayer. -- Ps 21:4. Revealed in the Scriptures -- Joh 5:39. Results from Drinking the water of life. -- Joh 4:14. Eating the ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  5. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 62: 2006 CHAPTER 7. A SUMMARY OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. OF SELF-DENIAL. 391 391 On this and the three following chapters, which contain the second part of the Treatise on the Christian Life, see Augustine, De Moribus Ecclesiae Catholicae, and Calvin de Scandalis. The divisions of the chapter are,—I. The rule which permits us not to go astray in the study of righteousness, requires two things—viz. that man, abandoning his own will, devote himself entirely to the service of God; whence it follows, that we must seek not our own things, but t”
  6. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 106: Contrition of the Sophists, and auricular Confession (as they call it), and the Satisfaction of actual performance, are opposed to the free forgiveness of sins. 49. The two parts of a Christian life are laid down: 1. The love of righteousness; that we may be holy, because God is holy, and because we are united to him, and are reckoned among his people; 2. That a rule may be prescribed to us, which does not permit us to wander in the course of righteousness, and that we may be conformed to Christ. A model of this is laid down to us”
  7. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 2: Hermas, Tatian, Theophilus, Athenagoras, Clement of Alexandria — CHAP. XI.--A COMPENDIOUS VIEW OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. (part 14): into sin by uncovering her face. For this is the wish of the Word, since it is becoming for her to pray veiled.(4) They say that the wife of AEneas, through excess of propriety, did not, even in her terror at the capture of Troy, uncover herself; but, though fleeing from the conflagration, remained veiled. Out of Church. Such ought those who are consecrated to Christ appear, and frame themselves in their whole life, as they fashion themselves in the church”
  8. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:6: say--profess. have fellowship with him-- (Jo1 1:3). The essence of the Christian life. walk--in inward and outward action, whithersoever we turn ourselves [BENGEL]. in darkness--Greek, "in the darkness"; opposed to "the light" (compare Jo1 2:8, Jo1 2:11). lie-- (Jo1 2:4). do not--in practice, whatever we say. the truth-- (Eph 4:21; Joh 3:21).”
  9. Phlm (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phlm 1:13: 1:13-14 Paul hints at his desire that Philemon choose to free Onesimus to serve as Paul’s helper (also 1:21). The Christian life is a free response to God’s grace (Rom 12:1; Eph 4:1; Col 3:12-13).”
  10. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
  11. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 14: man to be sought in Christ. 7. The Law given, not to retain a people for itself, but to keep alive the Hope of Salvation in Christ until his Advent. 8. Exposition of the Moral Law. 9. Christ, though known to the Jews under the Law, yet only manifested under the Gospel. 10. The resemblance between the Old Testament and the New. 11. The difference between the two Testaments. 12. Christ, to perform the Office of Mediator, behoved to become man. 13. Christ clothed with the true substance of Human Nature. 14. How two natures constitute ”
  12. Philemon (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philemon 1:13: 1:13-14 Paul hints at his desire that Philemon choose to free Onesimus to serve as Paul’s helper (also 1:21). The Christian life is a free response to God’s grace (Rom 12:1; Eph 4:1; Col 3:12-13).”
  13. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 111: CHRISTIAN LIFE. OF SELF-DENIAL. CHAPTER 8. - OF BEARING THE CROSS—ONE BRANCH OF SELF-DENIAL. CHAPTER 9. - OF MEDITATING ON THE FUTURE LIFE. CHAPTER 10. - HOW TO USE THE PRESENT LIFE, AND THE COMFORTS OF IT. CHAPTER 11. - OF JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH. BOTH THE NAME AND THE REALITY DEFINED. CHAPTER 12. - NECESSITY OF CONTEMPLATING THE JUDGMENT-SEAT OF GOD, IN ORDER TO BE SERIOUSLY CONVINCED OF THE DOCTRINE OF GRATUITOUS JUSTIFICATION. CHAPTER 13. - TWO THINGS TO BE OBSERVED IN GRATUITOUS JUSTIFICATION. CHAPTER 14. - THE BEGINNING OF JU”
  14. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 61: 2001 CHAPTER 6. THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN MAN. SCRIPTURAL ARGUMENTS EXHORTING TO IT. This and the four following chapters treat of the Life of the Christian, and are so arranged as to admit of being classed under two principal heads. First, it must be held to be an universally acknowledged point, that no man is a Christian who does not feel some special love for righteousness, chap. 6. Secondly, in regard to the standard by which every man ought to regulate his life, although it seems to be considered in chap. 7 only, yet the three f”
  15. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — 28. CHRIST AS LIFE.: It is clear also that the principle of that life which is pure and unmixed with any other element, resides in Him who is the first-born of all creation, taking from which those who have a share in Christ live the life which is true life, while all those who are thought to live apart from this, as they have not the true light, have not the true life either.”
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