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Making Connections to the Biblical Narrative in Christian Life

The Christian life is characterized by a dynamic connection to the biblical narrative, which provides guidance for conduct, understanding of God's nature, and the foundation for faith. This connection is evident in various aspects of Christian living, from daily actions to the overarching pursuit of eternal life.

Central to Christian conduct is the imitation of God and Christ. Believers are called to follow God's example, as seen in Ephesians 5:1, and to emulate Christ's life [1]. This involves specific actions such as believing God (Mark 11:22), fearing God (Ecclesiastes 12:13), loving God (Deuteronomy 6:5), and obeying God (Luke 1:6) [1]. Similarly, Christians are to believe in Christ (John 6:29), love Christ (John 21:15), follow Christ's example (John 13:15), and obey Christ (John 14:21) [1]. The goal is to live for Christ, for righteousness, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly (Romans 14:8; 1 Peter 2:24; Titus 2:12) [1]. This pursuit of Christ-likeness is a continuous process, with believers being conformed to his image and reflecting God [9].

The biblical narrative also illuminates the purpose and benefit of life's challenges. Afflictions, for instance, are presented as beneficial in several ways: they promote the glory of God (John 9:1-3), exhibit God's power and faithfulness (Psalm 34:19-20), teach God's will (Psalm 119:71), turn individuals to God (Deuteronomy 4:30-31), prevent backsliding (Job 34:31-32), lead to prayer (Judges 4:3), and convince of sin (Job 36:8-9) [2]. These experiences, when understood through the lens of scripture, deepen a believer's relationship with God.

The Scriptures themselves are foundational to Christian life, serving as the source of God's promises and the revelation of eternal life. The promises of God are contained within the Scriptures (Romans 1:2) and are made in Christ (Ephesians 3:6) [3]. These promises extend to those who love God (James 1:12) and are confirmed by an oath, forming the basis of a covenant (Psalm 89:3-4; Hebrews 8:6) [3]. God is faithful to these promises and remembers them (Titus 1:2; Psalm 105:42) [3]. The Bible is also the means by which eternal life is revealed (John 5:39) [6]. John 5:39 states that the Scriptures bear witness about Christ, through whom eternal life is found [4]. The Geneva Bible translation of 2 Timothy 3:15 emphasizes that the "holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation, through the faith which is in Christ Jesus" [5].

Understanding Christ's identity and work is crucial for Christian living. Eternal life is revealed by Christ and is found in knowing God and Christ (John 17:3) [6]. It is given by God and through Christ to those who believe in Him (John 3:15-16; Romans 6:23) [6]. The human nature of Christ was necessary for his mediatorial office (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 2:17) and is evidenced by his birth, partaking of flesh and blood, and human experiences like weeping, hungering, and sleeping (John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14; John 11:35) [8]. The gospel, as the "blessed Story" of Jesus's life, ministry, death, resurrection, and glorification, forms the core narrative that believers are called to embrace [10].

The Christian life is also marked by assurance, which is produced by faith (Ephesians 3:12), made full by hope (Hebrews 6:11), and confirmed by love (1 John 3:14) [7]. This assurance provides confidence in one's election, redemption, adoption, salvation, and eternal life, as well as in the unalienable love of God and union with God and Christ (Romans 8:16, 38-39; 1 John 5:13) [7]. This confidence is rooted in the understanding of God's gifts and the significance of Christ's love, which is "too great to understand fully" but is experienced personally [9, 12]. Believers are called to "know Christ," which involves knowing and being accepted by God, and experiencing the power of his resurrection and sharing in his sufferings (Philippians 3:10) [11]. This deep, personal knowledge of Christ is central to the Christian's journey.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conduct, Christian — Believing God -- Mr 11:22; Joh 14:11,12. Fearing God -- Ec 12:13; 1Pe 2:17. Loving God -- De 6:5; Mt 22:37. Following God -- Eph 5:1; 1Pe 1:15,16. Obeying God -- Lu 1:6; 1Jo 5:3. Rejoicing in God -- Ps 33:1; Hab 3:18. Believing in Christ -- Joh 6:29; 1Jo 3:23. Loving Christ -- Joh 21:15; 1Pe 1:7,8. Following the example of Christ -- Joh 13:15; 1Pe 2:21-24. Obeying Christ -- Joh 14:21; 15:14. Living To Christ. -- Ro 14:8; 2Co 5:15. To righteousness. -- Mic 6:8; Ro 6:18; 1Pe 2:24. Soberly, righteously, and godly. -- Tit 2:12. Walking Honestly. -- 1”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
  4. John “John 5:39 (BBE) — You make search in the holy Writings, in the belief that through them you get eternal life; and it is those Writings which give witness about me.”
  5. II Timothy “II Timothy 3:15 (Geneva1599) — And that thou hast knowen the holy Scriptures of a childe, which are able to make thee wise vnto saluation, through the faith which is in Christ Iesus.”
  6. 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 ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
  8. 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. ”
  9. 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”
  10. Mark (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Mark 1 (introduction): PREACHING AND BAPTISM OF JOHN. ( = Mat 3:1-12; Luke 3:1-18). (Mar 1:1-8) The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God--By the "Gospel" of Jesus Christ here is evidently meant the blessed Story which our Evangelist is about to tell of His Life, Ministry, Death, Resurrection, and Glorification, and of the begun Gathering of Believers in His Name. The abruptness with which he announces his subject, and the energetic brevity with which, passing by all preceding events, he hastens over the ministry of John and records the Baptism a”
  11. Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 3:10: 3:10 to know Christ: In knowing him, a person knows and is accepted by God (cp. 3:7-8; John 1:12-13; 17:3). • Believers experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead, both now and in eternity (see Rom 6:4-14; 8:10-11; Col 3:1-4). • to suffer with him, sharing in his death: Joined to Christ, a believer has the privilege of experiencing his life and death (see Phil 1:29; 2 Cor 4:10-12; Col 1:24; 1 Pet 4:13-16).”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:15: 1:15-23 Paul prays that his readers may have the spiritual understanding to grasp the full significance of God’s gifts (1:3-14). 1:15 Paul links faith in Christ with love for God’s people. Personal faith in Christ brings salvation, and salvation is expressed, above all, by a life of love (see Gal 5:6; Col 1:4; 1 Thes 1:3; 3:6; 5:8; 2 Thes 1:3; 1 Tim 1:14; 2:15; Titus 2:2).”
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