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Living for Jesus: A Christian Lifestyle Sermon

Living for Jesus: A Christian Lifestyle

The concept of living for Jesus is rooted in the biblical understanding that a Christian's life is not their own, but is instead dedicated to serving and glorifying God. The Apostle Paul encapsulates this idea in Philippians 1:21, stating, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" [2]. This verse highlights the centrality of Christ in the life of a believer.

The biblical basis for living for Jesus is further established in Philippians 1:27, which exhorts believers to "let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ" [1]. This involves striving for unity and standing firm in the faith. The idea is that a Christian's lifestyle should reflect their commitment to Christ and the gospel.

One key aspect of living for Jesus is self-denial. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, self-denial is necessary for following Christ and involves denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, controlling one's appetite, and abstaining from fleshly lusts [3]. This concept is echoed in the Reformed tradition by John Calvin, who emphasizes the importance of self-denial in the Christian life, arguing that it involves abandoning one's own will and devoting oneself entirely to the service of God [9].

The Catholic tradition, as represented by Thomas Aquinas, also emphasizes the importance of self-denial, particularly in the context of Christ's life. Aquinas argues that Christ's life of poverty is an example for Christians to follow, and that it is fitting for preachers of the gospel to be free from worldly cares [11].

Union with Christ is another crucial aspect of living for Jesus. Torrey's Topical Textbook describes this union as being maintained by faith, abiding in Christ, and obeying Him [4]. Calvin further develops this idea, arguing that believers are united to Christ through faith, and that this union is the source of their spiritual life [6].

The early Christian tradition, as represented by Ignatius of Antioch, also emphasizes the importance of living for Jesus. Ignatius writes, "All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die in behalf of Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth" [13]. This sentiment reflects the willingness to sacrifice worldly gain for the sake of Christ.

In practical terms, living for Jesus involves diligence in seeking God, obeying Him, and cultivating Christian graces [5]. It also involves bearing the cross and persevering in the face of adversity, as Calvin notes in his discussion of the Christian life [7].

The Reformed tradition, as represented by Charles Hodge, emphasizes that living for Jesus involves receiving Christ as He is offered in the gospel, and appropriating Him as the source of eternal life [8]. This understanding is rooted in Christ's statement, "He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life" (John 6:56) [12].

Ultimately, living for Jesus is about being conformed to Christ and living a life that is worthy of the gospel. As Calvin notes, the Christian life involves two main parts: loving righteousness and being conformed to Christ [10]. By living in this way, believers demonstrate their commitment to Jesus and reflect the transformative power of the gospel.

The historical development of this doctrine is evident in the writings of the early Church Fathers and the Reformers. The patristic tradition, as seen in the writings of Augustine, emphasizes the importance of living a life that is directed towards God [12]. The Reformed tradition, as represented by Calvin and Hodge, further develops this idea, emphasizing the centrality of Christ in the Christian life.

Sources

  1. Philippians “Philippians 1:27 (ASV) — Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel;”
  2. King James Version “[KJV] Philippians 1:21 — For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
  3. 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 ”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Union With Christ — As Head of the Church -- Eph 1:22,23; 4:15,16; Col 1:18. Christ prayed that all saints might have -- Joh 17:21,23. Described as Christ being in us. -- Eph 3:17; Col 1:27. Our being in Christ. -- 2Co 12:2; 1Jo 5:20. Includes union with the Father -- Joh 17:21; 1Jo 2:24. Is of God -- 1Co 1:30. Maintained by Faith. -- Ga 2:20; Eph 3:17. Abiding in him. -- Joh 15:4,7. His word abiding in us. -- Joh 15:7; 1Jo 2:24; 2Jo 1:9. Feeding on him. -- Joh 6:56. Obeying him. -- 1Jo 3:24. The Holy Spirit witnesses -- 1Jo 3:24. The gift of the Holy Spirit is an ev”
  5. 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:”
  6. CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 99: are communicated to us. 4. Therefore, it is not the principal part of a sacrament simply to hold forth the body of Christ to us without any higher consideration, but rather to seal and confirm that promise by which he testifies that his flesh is meat indeed, and his blood drink indeed, nourishing us unto life eternal, and by which he affirms that he is the bread of life, of which, whosoever shall eat, shall live for ever—I say, to seal and confirm that promise, and in order to do so, it sends us to the cross of Christ, where that p”
  7. 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”
  8. CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 71: meaning is that it is the indispensable condition of eternal life, that we should receive Christ as He is offered to us in the gospel; and as He is there offered to us as a sacrifice for our sins, his body broken and his blood shed for us, we must receive and appropriate Him in that character. To receive Him as the true bread, and to eat of that bread, is to receive and appropriate Him as being to us the source of eternal life; and to eat his flesh and drink his blood is to receive and appropriate Him as the broken and bleeding sacrifice ”
  9. 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”
  10. 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”
  11. theology (Catholic (Scholastic)) “Aquinas, Summa Theologica, Third Part (Tertia Pars), Of Christ's Manner of Life, Art. 3: Article: Whether Christ should have led a life of poverty in this world? I answer that, It was fitting for Christ to lead a life of poverty in this world. First, because this was in keeping with the duty of preaching, for which purpose He says that He came (Mk. 1:38): "Let us go into the neighboring towns and cities, that I may preach there also: for to this purpose am I come." Now in order that the preachers of God's word may be able to give all their time to preaching, they must be wholly free from care ”
  12. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 7: Augustine — Homilies on John — CHAPTER VI. 41-59. (part 13): Lord's table it is taken, by some to life, by some to destruction: but the thing itself, of which it is the sacrament, is for every man to life, for no man to destruction, whosoever shall have been a partaker thereof. 16. But lest they should suppose that eternal life was promised in this meat and drink in such manner that they who should take it should not even now die in the body, He condescended to meet this thought; for when He had said, "He that eateth my flesh, anti drinketh my blood, hath eternal life," He forthwi”
  13. Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 1: Clement, Polycarp, Ignatius, Barnabas, Papias, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus — CHAP. VI.--BY DEATH I SHALL ATTAIN TRUE LIFE.: All the pleasures of the world, and all the kingdoms of this earth, (4) shall profit me nothing. It is better for me to die in behalf of(5) Jesus Christ, than to reign over all the ends of the earth. "For what shall a man be profited, if he gain the whole world, but lose his own soul?''(6) Him I seek, who died for us: Him I desire, who rose again for our sake. This is the gain which is laid up for me. Pardon me, brethren: do not hinder me from living, do not wish t”
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