Prioritizing Christ as Our Perfect Example in Christian Living
Christian living is fundamentally shaped by prioritizing Christ as the perfect example, a concept deeply rooted in biblical teaching and Christian tradition. Jesus Christ is presented as the ultimate model for believers in various aspects of life, demonstrating holiness, righteousness, purity, and love [1].
The New Testament consistently points to Christ's life as the pattern for believers. For instance, Hebrews 7:26 describes Christ as "perfect," and 1 Peter 1:15-16 calls for conformity to His holiness [1]. John 13:34 and Ephesians 5:2 highlight Christ's love as the standard for believers, while 1 John 3:3 emphasizes His purity [1]. Humility, meekness, obedience, and self-denial are also presented as qualities exemplified by Christ that believers are called to emulate [1]. Matthew 11:29 records Jesus's invitation to learn from Him, stating, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart" [1]. His life also serves as an example in ministering to others (Matthew 20:28; John 13:14-15), benevolence (Acts 20:35; 2 Corinthians 8:7, 9), and forgiving injuries (Colossians 3:13) [1].
Beyond specific virtues, Christ's life provides a comprehensive model for Christian conduct. He exemplified diligence in His ministry, as seen in Mark 1:35 and Luke 2:49 [4]. He also demonstrated thanksgiving, offering thanks in moments such as feeding the multitudes and raising Lazarus (John 6:11; 11:41) [5]. His uprightness is a standard for believers, who are called to have upright hearts, speech, and walk [6].
The call to imitate Christ is not merely about moral aspiration but is deeply connected to the believer's identity in Christ. Paul urges believers to "put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 13:14), suggesting a complete identification with His character and way of life [8]. This "putting on" of Christ means that Christ alone should be visible in the believer [8]. The Christian life is described as being "derived from Christ, and directed to him," with Christ as its "principle, rule, and end" [10].
The concept of Christ as an example is also tied to the idea of Christian perfection. Colossians 1:28 speaks of presenting "every man perfect in Christ Jesus" [2]. While believers are predestined for adoption as children through Christ (Ephesians 1:5), the process of sanctification involves being "made complete" or "perfect" in every good thing to do God's will through Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:21) [3]. This journey towards perfection involves "striving after perfection" (Philippians 3:13-14) and cultivating Christian graces [4].
Christ's example extends even to His suffering. 1 Peter 2:21 states that Christ suffered for us, "leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps" [1]. This includes patient endurance under undeserved suffering, which is acceptable to God [9]. The crucifixion itself, a shameful form of execution, was disregarded by Christ, demonstrating His faithful endurance [7].
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. --”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:28 (Geneva1599) — Whome we preache, admonishing euery man, and teaching euery man in all wisdome, that we may present euery man perfect in Christ Iesus,”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 13:21 (ASV) — make you perfect in every good thing to do his will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
- 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:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Thanksgiving — Christ set an example of -- Mt 11:25; 26:27; Joh 6:11; 11:41. The heavenly host engaged in -- Re 4:9; 7:11,12; 11:16,17. Commanded -- Ps 50:14; Php 4:6. Is a good thing -- Ps 92:1. Should be offered To God. -- Ps 50:14. To Christ. -- 1Ti 1:12. Through Christ. -- Ro 1:8; Col 3:17; Heb 13:15. In the name of Christ. -- Eph 5:20. In behalf of ministers. -- 2Co 1:11. In private worship. -- Da 6:10. In public worship. -- Ps 35:18. In everything. -- 1Th 5:18. Upon the completion of great undertakings. -- Ne 12:31,40. Before taking food. -- Joh 6:11; Ac 27:35.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Uprightness — God is perfect in -- Isa 26:7. God has pleasure in -- 1Ch 29:17. God created man in -- Ec 7:29. Man has deviated from -- Ec 7:29. Should be in Heart. -- 2Ch 29:34; Ps 125:4. Speech. -- Isa 33:15. Walk. -- Pr 14:2. Judging. -- Ps 58:1; 75:2. Ruling. -- Ps 78:72. The being kept from presumptuous sins is necessary to -- Ps 19:13. With poverty, is better than sin with riches -- Pr 28:6. With poverty, is better than folly -- Pr 19:1. They who walk in Fear God. -- Pr 14:2. Love Christ. -- Song 1:4. Countenanced by God. -- Ps 11:7. Delighted in by God. -- Pr 1”
- 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”
- 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”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 2:21: Christ's example a proof that patient endurance under undeserved sufferings is acceptable with God. hereunto--to the patient endurance of unmerited suffering (Pe1 3:9). Christ is an example to servants, even as He was once in "the form of a servant." called--with a heavenly calling, though slaves. for us--His dying for us is the highest exemplification of "doing well" (Pe1 2:20). Ye must patiently suffer, being innocent, as Christ also innocently suffered (not for Himself, but for us). The oldest manuscripts for "us . . . us," read, "you . . . f”
- Philippians (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Philippians 1:21: We have here an account of the life and death of blessed Paul: his life was Christ, and his death was gain. Observe, 1. It is the undoubted character of every good Christian that to him to live is Christ. The glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life, the grace of Christ the principle of our life, and the word of Christ the rule of it. The Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed to him. He is the principle, rule, and end of it. 2. All those to whom to live is Christ to them to die will be gain: it is great gain, a present gain, everlasting g”