How To Live For Jesus

What is the meaning of living for Jesus?

Answer We all have a reason for being alive. Parents may sacrifice everything for their children. In certain cases, spouses may live for each other, while in other cases, company owners may live for success. When something serves as the driving force behind all we do, we refer to it as “living for it.” Living for Jesus implies that our primary goal is to please Him at all times (Colossians 1:10). The aims and purposes of the Lord are the primary motivators for people who are filled with the Spirit of Christ, despite the fact that we have a plethora of less important motivators.

The term “living for Jesus” might conjure up images of ethereal, utopian bliss.

The early disciples were ready to pay whatever price was necessary.

Besides Stephen, who was stoned (Acts 7:58–60) and James, who was beheaded (Acts 12:2), history relates that all of the apostles save John were killed as well.

  • Here are some examples of what it means to live for Jesus: 1.
  • The book of Romans 6 contains a lovely portrayal of a Christian who chooses to consider himself dead to sin and alive to Christ on a daily basis (verses 6–8).
  • When we bent our heads at the cross and were born again by grace through faith, we had made our decision.
  • Similarly to how a corpse does not lust, covet, or gossip, individuals who are dead to sin do not succumb to the temptations of this world (Galatians 2:20).
  • Believing in Jesus implies that we believe in just one God.
  • “The human heart is an idol factory,” wrote John Calvin, and he was absolutely correct.
  • Whatever it is that we reject to offer to God becomes our deity.

3.

“Make every effort to present yourself to God as one who has been approved, a worker who does not need to be embarrassed, and one who rightly handles the word of truth,” says Second Timothy 2:15 (NIV).

We will violate God’s standards and encourage others to do the same if we do not understand God’s motivations.

4.

We attempt to live in the same manner that Jesus did.

Because He was nice, we try to be kind as well.

People who live for Jesus find their spiritual abilities and use them to make a difference in the world (1 Corinthians 12:7–11), according to the Bible.

We will be rewarded if we please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9).

Living for Jesus implies that we are aware of where our true treasure is hidden.

The Bible makes it plain that, while we are free to take use of all of God’s benefits in this life, we are not to place our entire attention on them (Matthew 6:19–20).

Worldly entanglements are only transitory, and they appear to be a waste of time and energy.

When we become Christians, we are making the decision to live for Jesus instead of living for ourselves or our own interests.

The act of carrying a cross signifies that we are laying down our rights to be our own bosses.

Either we live for Jesus or for something or someone else, and that is the choice we make. As we live for Jesus, He gives us the ability to live the godly lives that we were designed to live as we follow Him (1 Peter 1:16; Hebrews 12:14).

5 Ways to Really Live (and Give) Like Jesus

When Jesus looks at the world, he sees what has the potential to become. As Jesus demonstrates what the kingdom of heaven looks like on earth, he challenges us to live according to its principles here on earth. This entails flipping the conventional model of personal finance on its head. This is what the economy of Jesus looks like. Here are five ways in which you might live (and donate) like Christ, so transforming your personal economy into Jesus’ economic economy:

1. BE WILLING TO DROP EVERYTHING FOR JESUS

As soon as Jesus summoned his disciples, they immediately left everything behind to join him: “Passing beside the Water of Galilee, saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon putting a net into the sea, because they were fishermen.” And Jesus replied to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And they did. And as soon as they saw him, they abandoned their nets and followed him. And as he continued on, he came across James the son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets.

The early disciples of Jesus physically gave up their livelihoods to follow him; they gave themselves totally to him and his ministry.

For Jesus, belief and action are inseparable; you cannot have one without the other in order to be saved.

2. RETHINK HOW YOU USE YOUR MONEY

During a conversation with a young wealthy man, Jesus says, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell all you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and then come, follow me” (Matthew 19:21; see 19:16-30 ESV). It is clear that Jesus had a whole different economy in mind when it comes to our time and resources. Is money standing in the way of your relationship with Jesus? What strategies might you employ to assist and empower the impoverished?

3. RECOGNIZE SACRIFICE AND APPRECIATE IT

“Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all others who are giving to the offering box,” Jesus replies in response to a poor widow who put an apparently modest sum of money into the offering box. She, on the other hand, has sacrificed everything she has, everything she has to survive, whilst everyone else has donated out of their wealth” (Mark 12:43-44; seeMark 12:41-44ESV). There is a difference between the currency of Jesus’ kingdom and the currency of ours. Self-sacrifice and love are the currency of Jesus’ kingdom.

4. DON’T HESITATE, NOT EVEN FOR A MOMENT

“Follow me,” Jesus instructed a guy who had lately lost his beloved. ‘Lord, please allow me to attend my father’s funeral first,’ he pleaded. He approached Jesus, and Jesus instructed him to “Leave the dead to bury their own dead.” For you, on the other hand, go and preach the kingdom of God.” (See Luke 9:59-60 in the ESV.) Jesus stood standing in front of him, calling him by his first name. And this meant that the man had to take action right now. We have all experienced these occasions in our lives: when Jesus commands us to take immediate action, and we must take him seriously when he says so.

It should be all about God’s kingdom in our lives as well.

When it comes to serving God’s kingdom, there are no second thoughts, and there is no looking back—it is all about what God is doing right now and now.

If you love God, you love the kingdom of God, and you love the people in the kingdom of God. If you care about the kingdom, you won’t stop to consider what else is vital in your life: you’ll just live for the kingdom and nothing else.

5. CARE DEEPLY ABOUT THE IMPOVERISHED AND UNREACHED

As a conclusion, Jesus states that he will identify individuals who follow him based on whether or not they are providing assistance to the poor, outsiders, and disenfranchised. This is what the section about the “least of these” is all about (Matthew 25:31-46). In addition, Jesus has given us the responsibility of bringing the gospel to people who have not yet heard his name. Jesus’ economy is not just concerned with eliminating physical poverty; it is also concerned with alleviating spiritual impoverishment.

  • Others who are despondent have been urged to help us exhibit our faith by giving good news to those who are discouraged.
  • Jesus’ economy is all about imagining what the world may look like in the future and collaborating with God in the process of making that vision a reality.
  • However, when placed in the context of all Christ has done for us—including dying for our sins—it appears to be a little price to pay compared to the magnitude of what Christ has done for us.
  • Barry is the founder and CEO of Jesus’ Economy, a non-profit organization that creates employment and churches in poor countries.
  • John is also the general editor of the Faithlife Study Bible, as well as the author or editor of more than a dozen publications.
  • “God’s Economy: Being What We Believe” and “God’s Economy Part Two: Truly Following Jesus” are two essays by John D.
  • This essay is part of the Jesus’ Economy weekly series, “Living for Jesus,” which is available on the Jesus’ Economy website.

Living for Jesus or Allowing Jesus to Live through You

It is possible that this content contains affiliate links. For further information, please see mydisclosure. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version) As a result, if someone is in Christ, the new creation has arrived: the old has passed away, and the new has come! It isn’t as though our lives suddenly become flawless when we become Christians. When I initially realized that Christ was inside me, I was under the erroneous assumption that I would always be filled with His wonderful love and serenity – that it would just happen.

  1. In my impatience, negativity, impulsiveness, and lack of drive, I was able to feign compliance by behaving in the manner in which I knew I was’supposed’ to act, just as I had done many times in the previous years.
  2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, we have been transformed into a new creation in Christ.
  3. In the same way that our cells are continually evolving, so is our spiritual selves.
  4. While we aren’t necessarily following His instructions (from the outside), we are allowing ourselves to be infected by Him, so that we are infused with Him in our very essence.
  5. I’m not attempting to draw attention away from Him.
  6. And it is our responsibility to nourish and develop that part of Him so that He may genuinely live in and through us.
  7. Consider the implications of that for a moment.

However, allowing Jesus to live through us.by doing so, we are actually living from the inside out, recognizing the love inside us that is Christ and letting it to pour out of us into the world.

allowing Jesus to live through us When I sensed God’s heart-swelling, gut-tingling love and calm inside of me, letting Jesus to live through me was a natural step for me.

And believe me when I say that those instances occurred more frequently than not.

I’m also aware that this is not a one-time transaction.

We understand what it’s like to have Christ living in and through us.

When we do this, we are driven to take action.

At that point, it’s in our basic nature to do so.

Stress and craziness of everyday life take precedence over Christ, and we fail to place him at the center of our attention and actions.

Do you want to break out into song now, or do you want to stay quiet?

But, in all seriousness, that is true.

We should strive to make Christ a part of our everyday lives.

It is necessary to revisit 2 Corinthians 5:17 in order to do this.

We must make a conscious effort to construct ourselves in each and every instant of our existence.

Your Life Has Wonderfully Changed! How to Live for Jesus.

When you become a Christian, you will notice a transformation in your personality. You have been re-born! The Lord Jesus, His love and enormous sacrifice for you have been accepted; now it is your desire to live your life for Him! “What do I do now?” you might be asking. “How will my life be different now that I’m a Christian?” I wonder. For this reason, if anybody believes in Christ, he or she is a new creation. ‘The old has passed away, and behold, the new has here.’ 2 Corinthians 5:17 (New International Version)

The Gift Of the Holy Spirit

When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are blessed with the gift of the Holy Spirit. You now have God’s power residing within your body and mind. The Holy Spirit aids you in your efforts to develop faith and compassion. It convicts you of what is good and wrong and empowers you to resist temptation and make decisions that will bring glory to God. This does not rule out the possibility of being tempted to do wrong or of committing a sin in the future. You have the option of choosing to disregard the presence of the Holy Spirit inside you.

  1. The more you direct your heart TOWARDS God, the more you will be driven by a strong desire to serve and satisfy God with your entire life.
  2. It is likely that you will be overwhelmed by God’s kindness to and provision for you, and that you will wish to lay aside your old, evil, self-serving behaviors and begin living for Jesus.
  3. “You have not been tempted by anything other than what is common to mankind.
  4. Nevertheless, when you are tempted, he will also offer a way out so that you can withstand it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 is a verse from the New Testament.
  5. You will display the following characteristics: For the Spirit’s character traits include “love,” “joy,” “peace,” “forbearance,” “kindness,” “goodness,” “faithfulness,” “gentleness,” “self-control.” Galatians 5:22 is a verse in the Bible that says
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How will becoming a Christian Make a Difference in your Life?

First and foremost, you may rest secure in God’s unwavering love. The desire to prove oneself or to feel worthless is no longer necessary. God cares about you and is rooting for you! You discover your true identity in who God has declared you to be. “One thing I KNOW: God is on my side.” Psalm 56:9 (KJV) Second, you’re experiencing an incomprehensible sense of calm. Even when things are difficult in life (and they may still be), you believe that since God is for you, He will never forsake you and that He is working all things out for your benefit, even if you don’t understand what is happening at the time.

  1. As the Apostle Paul writes, “And the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will protect your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Paul writes in Philippians 4:7 that Third, you have a place.
  2. You are quite welcome in this establishment.
  3. “You can see how much our Father loves us because he refers to us as his children, which is exactly what we are!
  4. You are on your way to paradise!
  5. Furthermore, as a Christian, you have the assurance that you will go to paradise and dwell with God for all eternity.
  6. What an exciting prospect to look forward to!
  7. You believe in God; now believe in me as well.

In addition, if I go ahead and arrange a place for you, I will return and bring you along with me so that you can be where I am as well.” John 14:1-3 (KJV)

So How Do You Please God with Your Life?

God has provided a great deal for us. So, how can we conduct our lives in gratitude for what he has done for us? You conduct your life in accordance with His word, and everything you say and do brings glory to God. It is possible to discover numerous instructions for life in the Bible. God gave us these commandments for a variety of reasons, including:

  1. It is intended to protect us from ourselves
  2. To teach us how to love others
  3. To grow and expand the God’s Family
  4. And to bring God’s glory.

It’s important to note that “to earn our salvation” is not one of the reasons listed. Grace has saved us from our sins. Grace, on the other hand, is not in opposition to our EFFORT to live a life worthy of God’s gift; rather, it is in opposition to our EARNING the gift.

Following God’s Law

The Ten Commandments are contained in the Bible, and they are referred to as “God’s Law” by many people. The first four Commandments instruct us on how to love God, while the latter six Commandments instruct us on how to love our neighbors. Here are the details:

  1. You are not permitted to worship any other gods but Me. You are not permitted to create idols. Take not the name of the Lord your God in vain
  2. He is holy to you. Remember to observe the Sabbath day in order to keep it holy
  3. Your father and mother should be respected. You are not permitted to murder. You are not permitted to commit adultery. You are not permitted to steal. You are not permitted to testify falsely against your neighbor
  4. And You are not permitted to covet.

Some individuals believe that God’s Laws are overly restricting in their lives. They don’t want anyone telling them what to do or how to live their lives. God’s commandments, on the other hand, are truly an act of love. put in place to safeguard us Take, for example, commandment7, which states, “Do not commit adultery.” God’s intention is for marriages to be preserved and for us to be spared the heartache that infidelity may bring. Or, to put it another way, commandment9 reads, “Do not deceive anybody.” God is well aware that lying is harmful and nearly ALWAYS comes back to haunt the perpetrator.

Jesus summarized the law like this:

You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind,’ according to the Bible. The first and most important commandment is this. And the second is similar to it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’.” Matthew 22:37-39 is a biblical passage.

In the Bible God also tells us to do the following:

  • Give forgiveness to one another, care for the needy, and fight for justice. Be courteous and caring to one another. Maintain the well-being of widows and orphans. to spread the good news about Jesus
  • And there’s a lot more

Sending you out into this vast and wonderful world with pleasure in your heart, and loving God and loving others is your mission.

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You Belong Here! How to Locate a Religious Organization. Hunter Johnson is credited with the photograph.

5 Things You Need to Live the Life God Intended

A vision is a picture of the future that arouses enthusiasm in the person who has it. You perform at your best when you are a part of something larger than yourself.

2. MY TEAM

In order to assist you pursue your kingdom vision, your team is comprised of a small group of individuals who are devoted to your success. These are trustworthy friends with whom you may contact in person or digitally.

3. MY PLAN

While your strategy doesn’t have to be sophisticated or failsafe, it does need to be clear about what you’re doing and how you intend to go about accomplishing it.

4. MY TRAININGTOOLS

You get the feeling that you can genuinely grow better at anything when you find training that is relevant to your kingdom vision.

5. MY COACH

A coach is someone you regard to be a little bit further along in their path with God than you are at this point.

1. MY KINGDOM VISION

Lord Jesus, I will go where You direct me, do what You direct me to do, speak what You direct me to say, and give what You direct me to give.

Have you surrendered control of your life to the will of God? Have you discussed your plans with Him regarding your future? Are you willing to follow God’s plan, even if it involves making changes to your life?

If you’re ready to experience life as God intended, you don’t have to use the prayer; it’s just there as a suggestion.

Graduation is right around the corner – congratulations on completing your degree! Congratulations! There are many exciting things in store for you in this next period of your life, but there are also many unknowns as well. Sign up for numerous excellent tools to assist you with the various decisions you will face as you transition into the “real world” by filling out the form below.

Weekly Devotional: How to Live in the Light of Jesus

Nonetheless, “God shows his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died on the cross for us.” — Paul in Romans 5:8 Possibly, you are going through a season of life in which you feel trapped, have no idea where you are heading, or what you want to do with the rest of your life. Maybe you’re just going through the motions of your daily life day after day. The following actions can be taken if you feel trapped in darkness and need to be re-introduced into the light of Christ.

Stop Living in Routine

Stop doing the same actions over and over again. Take a break from your usual routine and try something new, whether it’s taking a yoga class or studying at a different coffee shop than usual. Try something different from your usual routine to break up the monotony. Spend some time away from your normal routine and doing something that makes you happier. Leave the house and spend some quality time doing what you enjoy while also doing something for yourself and something that will bring more brightness into your life.

As a result, honor God via your body.” In 1 Corinthians 6:20, the Bible says

Spend More Time with Others

Increase your spending time with those who are important to you by making an effort to spend more time with them. Inviting a close buddy to meet up for coffee or calling your mother and asking how her day is going is a fantastic idea. Surround yourself with the individuals who are most important to you in your life. These individuals will assist you in achieving greater satisfaction and happiness. They will serve as a reminder of why they are essential to you, as well as a source of illumination in your life.

In Exodus 20:12, the Bible says

Spend More Time with God

If you are feeling down, in the dark, and caught in your routine, spend some time with the one who brings light into your life. Spend some quality time with God. This can be accomplished in a variety of ways. One method is to read your Bible or to begin a devotional program of your own. Dive deeply into God’s word and pay attention to what he has to say. This will help you remember what God has in store for you. Another method of accomplishing this is via worship. Put on some music and sit motionless, giving thanks to God for the blessings he has bestowed upon you and placing your faith in him for what he will accomplish in the future.

Pour your heart out to the Almighty.

He is aware of your presence and will pay attention to all you have to say. “However, when you pray, go into your room and close the door behind you, and pray to your Father who is in private.” Then you will be rewarded by your heavenly Father who sees in secret.” – Matthew 6:6 (KJV)

He Wants You to Be Happy

Make a conscious decision to begin each day with joy. Think about the positive aspects of life and make a conscious decision that you will be happy when you get up in the morning. See things from a more positive perspective by recalling all of the small things for which you are grateful. God simply wants positive things for you in your life and wants you to be happy. That is all God wants for you. Consider all of the blessings that God has bestowed upon you and for which you are grateful. “But rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, so that you may be rejoiced when the manifestation of his glory is shown.” 1 Peter 4:13 (New International Version)

Live Life Like God Intended

You were made in the image of the Lord. In order to live a joyful life, he wants you to share his light and joy to people in your immediate vicinity, which is difficult to achieve when you are trapped in darkness. Be a beacon of hope for people around you, and be content with the life that God has provided for you. Live your life as God would want you to live it, and live your life for God’s glory. “You reveal to me the way of life; in your presence is a throbbing ecstasy; at your right hand are joys that will last forever.” The text of Psalm 16:11 Grand Canyon University is devoted to obeying the Lord no matter what the circumstances may present itself.

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These are the author’s own views and opinions, and they do not necessarily reflect those of Grand Canyon University.

Any sources that were quoted were up to date at the time of publication.

How to Live for Jesus Christ In Today’s Radical World

The world has changed dramatically, at least for those of us who are attempting to live our lives for Jesus Christ. In a culture that has long accepted Christian principles, even if it does not adhere to them, there has been a shift toward hostility toward these biblical views and people who adhere to them in recent years. What should we do in response? A small number of self-identified Christians and denominations have chosen to move with the flow and adapt to the prevailing thinking of society.

What about the rest of us, however?

What can we do to satisfy the Lord?

What should we do in this situation?

Spirit Over Flesh

The apostle Paul gives us extremely explicit instructions in Romans 12, yet we are so enthralled with the book’s first half that we frequently miss the equally significant lesson that comes after. It was written by Paul to the Romans, who were living in a city where there was no spiritual truth outside of the newly founded church. They were at the epicenter of pagan global power throughout their time there. Recall that this is the same civilization that mistreated Christians for the sake of public entertainment in their gladiator exhibitions and delighted in feeding Christians to lions.

  • They lived in a world that was diametrically opposed to the principles and ideas of their newly formed religion.
  • What kind of lives did they lead for Jesus?
  • When you’re surrounded by people who despise your God and flaunt their defiance, it’s easy to become emotional and fleshly.
  • In response to the Roman soldiers placing their hands on Jesus in order to capture Him, Peter took his sword and slashed one of the soldiers in the ear with it!
  • Peter’s motive was not derived from the Holy Spirit, but rather from a pool of fleshly emotions that welled up and culminated in violence on the part of Peter.
  • Even if this soldier proceeded to do his responsibilities for the remainder of his shift, I believe his encounter with Jesus left a lasting impression on him.
  • The body will never be victorious against evil, and Christians who cling to it are made to appear more and more like those who detest them.

Learn about how to live for Jesus in today’s radical world by studying Romans 12:9-21, which provides us with specific directions. The following scriptures are presented at the conclusion of this article: (Note:

Love All People

Our priority as individual Christians is to passionately love God and then love other people with sincerity (9). (9). If we love Him, then we’ll lovethem, even those who stand opposed to our faith. Jesus had a special affection for the men who nailed Him to the cross. He was in love with Pilate, who, in his quest for political favor, sentenced Him to a public crucifixion in front of thousands of people. He restored the Roman soldier who had been arrested in Gethsemane after Peter had assaulted him.

  • We can’t expect those who do not follow Jesus Christ to think or behave in any way that resembles Him in the least.
  • We can never stand with them.
  • Our responsibility as Christians is to live our faith, tell the truthin love,and love the person we’re telling, regardless of the reaction we receive.
  • ” (9) We must treat our adversaries as people with a soul rather than as a threat to be eliminated.
  • Yes!
  • Love will draw far more people to Jesus than afleshly reaction.

Love Your Christian Family

As we strive to live for Jesus and love those who disagree with us, let us not forget to love those who are also believers in Jesus. As Christians, God wants us to treat our fellow believers with great respect and care (10). We need the support and compassion of our Christian brothers and sisters if we are to survive in this difficult world. God’s command is to love rather than to judge. There are no pretenses. There is no agenda. All that is required is genuine concern for one another, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, who unites us all as Christians (13).

As our devotion to God grows, so does our desire to serve Him and others whom He has placed in our spheres of influence, which is a lifelong process (11).

If our Christian service is based on anything other than our faith, it is fake and feigned.

Where we find ourselves fighting with this, it’s time to come back to the basics, back to God’s Word, and back to the point when He changed our lives for the better!

Focus on the Good

Today’s world is hectic, noisy, distracting, provocative, dividing, aggressive, and furious, to name a few characteristics. Lies and dishonesty have become the norm, and the Bible has been removed from the majority of public life in the United States. We have lots of reasons to be discouraged, but the Roman Christians had plenty of reasons as well. God granted them the ability to despise the evil (while yet loving the people) in their immediate surroundings and ordered them to cling closely to the good they already knew.

  1. (9)We must not allow ourselves to become so distracted by this chaotic world that we lose sight of Jesus Christ, the everlasting hope He has given us, and the benefits He bestows on us on a regular basis.
  2. If we want to live our lives for Jesus, we must put aside our distractions and focus on Him.
  3. We have the conquering Spirit of Jesus Christ living inside us, and we must not let the surrounding world to pull us down with it.
  4. Christians must be vigilant, knowledgeable, and aware of what is going on in their communities, both locally and nationally, as well as worldwide.
  5. Our purpose is to love people, to despise evil, and to cling to what is right.
  6. In the absence of such a commitment, we will either be trapped in a never-ending battle with our body, battling despair and fury, or we will be living with our heads in the sand, blissfully ignorant.

God desires for us to be alert and focused on Him – the ultimate good – at the same time. The reason we do this is for our personal wellbeing as well as to bring honor and glory to our Savior.

Cultivate Hope, Patience, and Prayer

Whenever we concentrate on the positive, hope grows healthy and strong, manifests itself in tangible ways, and burns brighter in our hearts. Rome’s Christians, who were living in extremely gloomy times, were urged by God to delight in hope, namely in the hope of Jesus Christ (12). Maintaining our focus on our eternal hope allows us to acquire a level of patience we didn’t realize we had and a heart that is committed to prayer, even when faced with the most difficult of situations. As we live for Jesus, hope encourages us to wait on the Lord and sparks our faith, helping us to pray more earnestly and honestly as we go about our daily lives.

Lemmel: Focus your attention on Jesus.

We must be aware of what is going on in our world, but we cannot live effective Christian lives if we allow it to consume our thoughts and feelings.

Despite the fact that we are troubled on every side, we are not distressed; we are perplexed, but we are not in despair; 9 we have been persecuted, but we have not been abandoned; we have been crushed, but we have not been destroyed; 10 we are always bearing about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, in order that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

Absolutely.

Along with our feelings of love and devotion to the good, we must also exult in the hope that has been given to us through Jesus Christ.

Be a Peacekeeper

God didn’t tell the Roman Christians to act in any way other than in the manner of Christ’s followers. They were ordered to maintain a modest demeanor and to treat everyone equally, regardless of their economic standing (16). Their purpose, at a period of violence and persecution, was to spread compassion and peace (15, 18). They were never summoned to combat by God. He charged them with the responsibility of demonstrating Jesus Christ to a hostile world. We shouldn’t try to initiate or cause conflict, and if we can avoid it, we should try to avoid doing so.

  • to the extent that it lies in.
  • God provides us with both the direction and the strength to do the same through the Holy Spirit.
  • Even now, it’s difficult for us to comprehend what has happened.
  • Contrary to popular belief, peace does not imply compromise, no matter how it is defined today.
  • What we believe in or oppose may indirectly incite rage, but we are not responsible for how other people react to the truth when they hear or see it.
  • We don’t hide or pervert our religious beliefs in order to maintain peace, but we also don’t use our religious beliefs to justify harming others.
  • There is a distinction to be made.
  • Our mission today, as we strive to live for Jesus, is to.

Keep your head in the sand. Demonstrate compassion. Seek to bring forth peace without sacrificing the truth. I have a soft spot for other people. It is far more reminiscent of our Savior when we demonstrate these characteristics and live for Jesus in today’s turbulent environment.

Leave Judgement to God

Christians have a tendency to lose sight of the fact that there is only one just judge, and that is God. Only God is aware of the thoughts and intentions that are in a person’s heart. He is well-versed on their history and future. How can we, as imperfect human beings, pass judgment on another flawed human being in a fair and impartial manner? We only see the external appearance; God is the only one who understands what is in the heart. Being able to enter into an area often designated for God, exercise your own judgments, and issue a verdict is no little feat of courage.

  1. Revenge?
  2. Punishment?
  3. When we assume this position, we are usurping God’s power (19).
  4. He is aware.
  5. Why should we make a move toward justice if He hasn’t already done so?
  6. God, in the same way that He judges and exacts justice when necessary, urges us to bless our adversaries (14).
  7. We do not condone their conduct or compromise our principles, and we must continue to stand up for the truth despite these obstacles.

Instead, we bless them by extending loving kindness to them and by praying for them on their behalf.

No, and that is just the idea!

It exemplifies Christlike conduct.

Our country is beset by a slew of adversaries ranging from personal adversaries to spiritual adversaries to cultural adversaries and even national adversaries, all of whom pose a danger to our way of life in our country.

When we face our adversaries, we must live for Jesus.

Like Serpents and Doves

When Jesus sent His disciples forth to share His Gospel, He warned them, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep among wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16) In Matthew 10:16, Jesus says: For those of us who desire to live for Jesus, this is the struggle we face. We must discern evil and its techniques while reacting in the spirit, rather than the body, in order to be effective. Be prudent and avoid causing harm. As we live in a time of provocation and illusory reality, we must maintain our composure and remain focused on what actually counts — living for our Savior and leading others to Him.

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They made the prudent decision to defer to God in matters of judgment and justice, and they continued to serve their heavenly King.

Allowing negativity, provocation, and frustration to engulf our thoughts and capture our emotions is extremely simple to fall victim to.

For us to satisfy God, we must refresh our thoughts through God’s Word, growing in understanding as we go: Be not conformed to this world, but be converted by the renewing of your mind, that you may test what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God in your lives.” (See also Romans 12:2) Was God’s will for His people in these darker days, and what does it look like?

Do not allow evil to overpower you, but rather use good to defeat evil. (See also Romans 12:21.)

Author Postscript

I’d like to make it clear that this post is not intended to be a political statement or a response to any specific events. It is also not intended to be a reflection on how our government should behave or respond to other countries or leaders. God established government for the goal of protecting the people of a nation, and His purpose for individual Christians is fundamentally different from that of a nation. If I’ve made myself plain, Romans 12:9-21 states God’s plan for individual Christians as they conduct their everyday lives, dealing with other Christians, non-believers, and even their spiritual adversaries, I think I’ve done so clearly.

Scripture Focus: Romans 12:9-21

9Allow love to exist without any dissimulation. The bad should be avoided at all costs; the good should be adhered to. 10Love one another with brotherly regard; prefer one another in deeds of honor; and be nice to one another. 11Not slack in business, but ardent in heart, and dedicated to the Lord; 12Rejoicing in hope; being patient in affliction; remaining constant in prayer;13Distributing to the needs of saints; being generous in hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless them rather than cursing them.

  • 16Be of the same thought with one another in regard to one another.
  • Don’t be fooled by your own arrogance.
  • Provide items that are honest in the eyes of all people.
  • 19Dearly beloved, do not take revenge on yourselves, but rather submit to the wrath of God, because it is written, Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, declares the Lord.
  • 21Dare not be defeated by evil, but rather conquer evil with good.

Living Your Life in Jesus’ Footsteps

In Christian circles, “following in Jesus’ footsteps” is a prevalent catchphrase that doesn’t necessarily come with a lot of explanation. When we presume that people understand what it means to live like Jesus, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. However, the reality needs a bit more information. For example, does following Jesus’ example imply that Christians should be homeless? Living like Jesus requires a complete transformation of one’s way of life. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, provides Christians with the ability to comprehend what Jesus is asking of us and how to carry it out.

What does it actually mean to live in the manner of Jesus? What did Jesus Himself have to say about this matter? To send a tweet, simply click here.

Demonstrate Righteousness and Service to Others

According to James, the definition of pure and undefiled religion is to care for widows and orphans and to keep oneself free from the influence of the outside world. With Jesus’ love for children, sympathy for widows, and reluctance to succumb to the devil’s temptations, we see that he is carrying out the words of this scripture. What does this look like in today’s world for a Christian? Keeping oneself isolated from the rest of the world can take many different shapes, depending on your own circumstances and difficulties.

Serving others may take many forms, including volunteering at a food pantry, grocery shopping for a needy family, giving to a good organization, and providing your time to a crisis hotline, among other things.

Empathize with Others

In Romans, we are instructed to celebrate with those who are rejoicing and to mourn with those who are mourning. Take, for example, the shortest sentence in the Bible: “Jesus wept,” which describes a time when Jesus experienced this in his life. (See also John 11:35) While Jesus sat with Lazarus’ sisters in their grief, He was also well aware that He was about to resurrect Lazarus from the grave. This straightforward deed and poetry teach a number of fundamental concepts. First and foremost, it demonstrates that there is absolutely nothing wrong with mourning or being depressed.

Second, it demonstrates the significance of demonstrating empathy for others.

On sad days, provide a shoulder to weep on, or on joyous days, offer a companion to rejoice with.

It is healthy and acceptable behavior for anybody, Christians included, to express powerful emotional reactions or to empathize with a person who is experiencing strong emotional reactions.

Alone Time with God

However, whereas “quiet time” is typically considered to be another Christian term, this one really has some merit. A number of occasions of Jesus retreating from the public view to pray are recorded in the Gospels. The importance of spending time with people could not be overstated; but, it was as necessary to spend time alone with God, away from all the distractions. Modern Christianity attempts to replicate this through the use of devotional literature, Bible reading systems, and other alternatives.

Quiet prayer is exactly what it sounds like. Allowing a goal such as reading the Bible in a year or listening to a multitude of sermons to get in the way of just spending time with God should be avoided.

Relationships with Non-Believers

This is perhaps the most difficult obstacle for most modern Christians to overcome. Although Jesus taught His disciples to strive for holiness, it is easy to forget that He also called on and spent time with those who were despised by the religious establishment of the day, such as tax collectors, prostitutes, and others. Instead of being addressed at the “sinners” everyone despised, His most vehement recorded comments were directed against the hypocritical religious authorities who showed them no mercy at all.

When thinking about what it means to care about someone, it’s crucial to realize that Jesus did not condone their bad actions or agree with everything they said.

The fact that they were so desperate for Him, that they were valuable as His creatures, and that they were willing to repent were all evidence of His love for them.

When you live like Jesus in front of them, God will work in their hearts to make them more sensitive to Jesus’ teachings.

Imitating Jesus

“Imitation is the highest form of flattery,” as the adage goes, and this is certainly true of Jesus! Try to live like Jesus did in order to demonstrate your love for Him and to demonstrate that you regard His life and habits to be ideal enough to model after for your own benefit. Do you want to learn more about leading a life that is genuinely like Jesus? Join us to discover how other Christians are putting these concepts into practice in their own lives.

How to Live Like Jesus – Faith and Reason

Do you wish to live your life in the manner of Jesus? Is it your desire to live a transformed life in contact with God as your Father, with Christ as your brother, and with the Holy Spirit as your continual source of assistance and consolation? You want your Christian religion to not just be a part of your life, but to be your life; that is, it should seep into and permeate all that you say, think, and do. If you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking, “Yes! Yes! Yes! I want all of those things!

Perhaps you’ve been so disillusioned by so many “false starts” in your journey toward living a fully transformed Christian life that you’ve come to believe it’s just impossible.

Transformation is possible, not because I say so, but because God believes it is possible.

It’s for everybody and everyone who places their faith in Jesus Christ, including you. All that is necessary is that you pay attention to and put your confidence in what God has clearly spoken.

The key to living like Jesus

Do you want to live your life in the same way that Jesus lived his? What do you want your life to look like when you have a connection with God as your Father, with Christ as your brother, and with the Holy Spirit who is your continual assistance and comfort? You want your Christian religion to not just be a part of your life, but to be your life; that is, it should seep into and permeate all that you say, think, and do, don’t you? If you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking, “Yes! Yes!

  • I want all of that!” while also recalling how many times you’ve begun down that road, full of energy, passion, and vision, only to slip and falter along the way.
  • However, don’t let this put you off your game.
  • There is no secret formula, no secret wisdom, no mystical experience that is only available to the “really spiritual” that holds the key to happiness (whoever they are).
  • Nothing more than paying attention to and placing your confidence in what God has said clearly is necessary.

Thehowof living like Jesus

Now comes the most crucial part.the how-to. The question is, how can we put an end to the world’s “conforming” influence in favor of God’s “transformation?” “By the renewing of your minds,” the solution is provided. “All right, but how do we go about doing that?” you’re presumably thinking. “How do we revitalize our spirits?” That’s a great question! For the sake of simplicity, I’ll say it this way: By acquiring the ability to think like Jesus. However, the reason why I prefer this brief response is that it serves as a reminder to me that even Jesus did not live like Jesus just by trying very hard to be a good person.

“Men do what they believe is right.” Francis Schaeffer was a religious leader in the United States.

allow yourselves to be changed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may approve of God’s will, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect in every way.

All of those things, however, will be impossible unless we learn to think like Jesus, since, as Francis Schaeffer once observed, “Men do what they think.”

Why Christians struggle to live like Jesus

I believe that many Christians aren’t living transformed lives because they’re chasing God’s heart while disregarding God’s intellect. This is supported by a large body of evidence demonstrating how little Christians read, study, and comprehend the Bible. It also explains why so many Christians today struggle to identify what it is that truly distinguishes their beliefs, lives, and viewpoints from the rest of the culture in which they find themselves. The reason we are unable to live like Jesus is because we have not learnt to think in the same manner that he thinks.

Yes, living like Jesus entails more than simply thinking like him, but it does not include any less effort than that.

The reason we are unable to live like Jesus is because we have not learnt to think in the same manner that he thinks.

You have the distinct impression that, despite your best efforts, you are missing some important component of leading a completely changed Christian life.

Are you ready to continue your journey? Next entry in the series (part 2 of 3): How Can I Begin to Think Like Jesus? Originally published on July 23, 2018, this version was revised on August 11, 2020.

You might also like

  • What is the next post in the series (part 2 of 3)? How Do I Begin Thinking Like Jesus
  • The third and final piece in the series is titled: “Start Thinking Like Jesus Today.” Reclaiming the Christian Mind
  • Faith and Reason – A Guide to Frequently Asked Questions

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Join our Facebook group, Teaching Children to Think Like Jesus (Teaching Children to Think Like Jesus).

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