Christ as the Ultimate Human Example in Christian Living
Christian theology presents Jesus Christ not only as divine and the object of faith, but also as the ultimate human example for Christian living [1, 4, 5]. This exemplary role is rooted in his perfect humanity and his embodiment of virtues that believers are called to emulate [1].
The New Testament consistently portrays Christ as the model for various aspects of Christian character. For instance, believers are called to conform to Christ in holiness (1 Pet 1:15-16), righteousness (1 John 2:6), and purity (1 John 3:3) [1]. His life demonstrates profound love, as seen in his command to love one another (John 13:34) and his sacrificial love (Eph 5:2; 1 John 3:16) [1]. Humility is another key characteristic, exemplified by Christ's willingness to serve (Luke 22:27) and his self-emptying (Phil 2:5, 7) [1]. Meekness (Matt 11:29) and obedience to God's will (John 15:10) are also highlighted as traits to be mirrored [1].
Self-denial is a significant aspect of Christ's example, which he demonstrated through his life and teachings (Matt 16:24; Rom 15:3; Phil 2:6-8) [1, 3]. This self-denial is presented as a test of devotion to Christ and a necessary component of following him (Matt 10:37-38; Luke 9:23-24) [3]. It involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling appetites, and abstaining from fleshly desires (Rom 6:12; Titus 2:12; 1 Pet 2:11) [3].
Beyond individual virtues, Christ's life provides a pattern for how believers should interact with the world and others. He ministered to others (Matt 20:28; John 13:14-15) and showed benevolence (Acts 20:35; 2 Cor 8:7, 9) [1]. His example extends to forgiving injuries (Col 3:13), overcoming the world (John 16:33; 1 John 5:4), and living as one "not of the world" (John 17:16) [1]. He is described as guileless, offering an example for those who suffer wrongfully (1 Pet 2:21-22) [1].
The author of Hebrews emphasizes Jesus as "the champion who initiates and perfects our faith," urging believers to fix their eyes on him for faithful endurance (Heb 12:2) [6]. This focus on Christ's work and example is crucial for navigating the Christian life [6]. His crucifixion, though shameful, was endured, providing a model for perseverance [6].
The Christian life is understood as being "conformed to his image" and reflecting God (Rom 8:29; Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2) [7]. This transformation is rooted in the experience and personal knowledge of God's grace and love in Jesus Christ (Rom 12:1) [7]. The love of Christ, which surpasses full human understanding, is central to this process, filling the believer with "all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within" (Eph 3:19; Col 1:27) [7].
Paul's exhortation to "put on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 13:14) encapsulates the idea that Christ should be visibly manifest in the believer's life [8]. This involves directing no attention to the cravings of a corrupt nature but rather living in such a way that Christ alone is seen [8]. Christ is also understood as the "end of the law for righteousness to every one who is believing" (Rom 10:4 YLT), meaning that where the law concludes, Christ begins, fulfilling its purpose and offering salvation [2, 9]. His atoning sacrifice was the ultimate object of the Mosaic sacrificial code [9].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Romans “Romans 10:4 (YLT) — For Christ is an end of law for righteousness to every one who is believing,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Self-Denial — Christ set an example of -- Mt 4:8-10; 8:20; Joh 6:38; Ro 15:3; Php 2:6-8. A test of devotedness to Christ -- Mt 10:37,38; Lu 9:23,24. Necessary In following Christ. -- Lu 14:27-33. In the warfare of saints. -- 2Ti 2:4. To the triumph of saints. -- 1Co 9:25-27. Ministers especially called to exercise -- 2Co 6:4,5. Should be exercised in Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts. -- Ro 6:12; Tit 2:12. Controlling the appetite. -- Pr 23:2. Abstaining from fleshly lusts. -- 1Pe 2:11. No longer living to lusts of men. -- 1Pe 4:2. Mortifying sinful lusts. -- Mr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Incarnation — That act of grace whereby Christ took our human nature into union with his Divine Person, became man. Christ is both God and man. Human attributes and actions are predicated of him, and he of whom they are predicated is God. A Divine Person was united to a human nature (Acts 20:28; Rom. 8:32; 1 Cor. 2:8; Heb. 2:11-14; 1 Tim. 3:16; Gal. 4:4, etc.). The union is hypostatical, i.e., is personal; the two natures are not mixed or confounded, and it is perpetual.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Christ is God — As Jehovah -- Isa 40:3; Mt 3:3. As Jehovah of glory -- Ps 24:7,10; 1Co 2:8; Jas 2:1. As Jehovah, our RIGHTEOUSNESS -- Jer 23:5,6; 1Co 1:30. As Jehovah, above all -- Ps 97:9; Joh 3:31. As Jehovah, the First and the Last -- Isa 44:6; Re 1:17; Isa 48:12-16; Re 22:13. As Jehovah's Fellow and Equal -- Zec 13:7; Php 2:6. As Jehovah of Hosts -- Isa 6:1-3; Joh 12:41; Isa 8:13,14; 1Pe 2:8. As Jehovah, the Shepherd -- Isa 40:11; Heb 13:20. As Jehovah, for whose glory all things were created -- Pr 16:4; Col 1:16. As Jehovah, the Messenger of the covenant -- Mal ”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 12:2: 12:2 Jesus is the supreme example of faithful endurance (3:1). Our endurance in the Christian life will depend on our keeping our eyes on Jesus—staying focused on him and his work on our behalf. • Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith: Jesus has accomplished everything necessary for faith under the new covenant to be a reality. • disregarding its shame: Crucifixion was the most shameful form of execution, meant to humiliate and torture the person crucified. It was used only for slaves and criminals who were not Roman citizens. Christ treated th”
- 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”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 13:14: But--to sum up all in one word. put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ--in such wise that Christ only may be seen in you (see Co2 3:3; Gal 3:27; Eph 4:24). and make no provision--"take no forethought." for the flesh, to fulfil the lust thereof--"Direct none of your attention to the cravings of your corrupt nature, how you may provide for their gratification." Note, (1) How gloriously adapted is Christianity for human society in all conditions! As it makes war directly against no specific forms of government, so it directly recommends none. While its h”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 10:4: For Christ is the end of the law - Where the law ends, Christ begins. The law ends with representative sacrifices; Christ begins with the real offering. The law is our schoolmaster to lead us to Christ; it cannot save, but it leaves us at his door, where alone salvation is to be found. Christ as an atoning sacrifice for sin, was the grand object of the whole sacrificial code of Moses; his passion and death were the fulfillment of its great object and design. Separate this sacrificial death of Christ from the law, and the law has no meaning, for it is impossible that”