Christ's Example Influencing Christian Behavior and Relationships
Christ's Example in Christian Behavior and Relationships
Christ's example is a foundational element in shaping Christian behavior and relationships. The New Testament emphasizes the importance of imitating Christ, with the Apostle Paul encouraging believers to "take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine" [2]. This call to imitation is rooted in Christ's own life and teachings, which demonstrate key virtues such as humility, love, and self-denial.
The Gospels portray Jesus as setting an example of self-denial, as seen in his refusal to succumb to Satan's temptations and his willingness to suffer for the sake of others [1]. This self-denial is not limited to Christ; believers are also called to deny themselves and follow him (Luke 9:23-24). Christ's example in self-denial is closely tied to his humility, demonstrated in his washing the disciples' feet and his willingness to suffer on the cross [3].
Christ's love is another crucial aspect of his example. The New Testament writers emphasize that Christ's love is sacrificial, as seen in his death on the cross (Romans 5:8; Ephesians 5:2) [4, 10]. This love is not limited to Christ's relationship with humanity but is also a model for Christian love. Believers are called to love one another as Christ has loved them, demonstrating a self-sacrificial love that prioritizes the needs of others [5].
The early Christian writers and theologians also emphasized the importance of Christ's example. According to Matthew Henry, the Apostle Paul's exhortation to the Philippians to be like-minded and lowly-minded is rooted in Christ's example of humility and love [7]. Similarly, Adam Clarke notes that Christians should examine their conduct by the words and example of Christ, rather than comparing themselves to others [6].
In Christian relationships, Christ's example promotes unity and mutual support. The image of the church as the bride of Christ underscores the importance of unity and harmony among believers [11]. Christ's example also encourages believers to support one another, as seen in the image of two people warming each other, used to illustrate the warmth of Christian fellowship [9].
The pursuit of Christlikeness is a central theme in Christian discipleship. As believers seek to follow Christ's example, they are transformed into his likeness, reflecting his character and love to the world. This transformation is not limited to individual believers but is also a corporate endeavor, as the church seeks to embody Christ's love and character in its communal life [8].
Christ's example continues to shape Christian behavior and relationships, offering a powerful model for humility, love, and self-denial. As believers seek to follow Christ, they are drawn into a deeper understanding of God's love and character, and are empowered to live out their faith in meaningful and transformative ways.
Sources
- 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 ”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 11:1 (BBE) — So take me for your example, even as I take Christ for mine.”
- 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 “But the free gift isn’t like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. -- Romans 5:15”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 3:16: 3:16-18 Christ’s example shows that real love involves self-sacrifice. We do this by becoming truly concerned about the needs of others and by unselfishly giving time, effort, prayer, possessions, and even our lives to supply those needs.”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 6:4: Prove his own work - Let him examine himself and his conduct by the words and example of Christ; and if he find that they bear this touchstone, then he shall have rejoicing in himself alone, feeling that he resembles his Lord and Master, and not in another - not derive his consolation from comparing himself with another who may be weaker, or less instructed than himself. The only rule for a Christian is the word of Christ; the only pattern for his imitation is the example of Christ. He should not compare himself with others; they are not his standard. Christ hath ”
- Philippians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Philippians 2:1: The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last, with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may observe, I. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his family. This he represents (Phi 2:2) by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We are ”
- 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”
- 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).”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:2: 5:2 Christ’s love is shown especially in his offering himself as a sacrifice for us (cp. 5:25; John 15:13; Rom 5:8). Christian love is motivated by and modeled after Christ’s sacrificial love (see Phil 2:5-8). • Paul draws on Old Testament imagery, where the smell of a burning sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God (see Lev 1:9; 2:2; cp. Rom 12:1).”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 11:11: Yet neither sex is insulated and independent of the other in the Christian life [ALFORD]. The one needs the other in the sexual relation; and in respect to Christ ("in the Lord"), the man and the woman together (for neither can be dispensed with) realize the ideal of redeemed humanity represented by the bride, the Church.”