A response to the article called: How do we live according to Christ?

A response to the article called: How do we live according to Christ?

RESPONSE

The Bible provides several explicit teachings on how to live like Christ. Here are some key principles and instructions:

Love God and love others: Jesus taught that the greatest commandments are to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbour as yourself (Matthew 22:37-40). This emphasis on love is foundational to living a Christ-like life.

Follow Jesus' example: Jesus is the perfect example of how to live a righteous and holy life. Believers are called to follow His footsteps, imitate His actions, and adopt His attitudes (1 Peter 2:21, Philippians 2:5-8).

Repent and believe in the Gospel: To live like Christ, one must acknowledge their sins, turn away from them, and put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour (Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19).

Obey God's commands: Jesus said, "If you love me, keep my commands" (John 14:15). Obedience to God's Word is essential in living a life that reflects Christ's teachings and character.

Serve others: Jesus demonstrated servant leadership, and He calls His followers to serve others with humility and compassion (Mark 10:45, John 13:14-15).

Forgive others: Jesus emphasized forgiveness and instructed His disciples to forgive others as they have been forgiven (Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 3:13).

Be humble: Christ exemplified humility throughout His life, and believers are encouraged to have the same attitude, not seeking personal glory but serving others selflessly (Philippians 2:3-5).

Share the Gospel: Jesus commanded His disciples to spread the Good News of salvation to all nations (Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15).

Trust in God's providence: Jesus taught about God's care for His creation, encouraging His followers to trust in God's provision and not be overly anxious about material things (Matthew 6:25-34).

Seek the Kingdom of God: Christ taught that seeking God's Kingdom and righteousness should be the primary focus of a believer's life (Matthew 6:33).

These are just a few explicit teachings from the Bible on how to live like Christ. The entire New Testament, especially the Gospels, contains further guidance on following Christ's example and living a life that reflects His love, grace, and truth.

MY REPLY

Many TX for your great comment. I appreciate the time and effort it took to add value to this article.

Much of what Jesus taught is relevant for today. In your post, points #1, #3-#5, #7-#8, #10 are things we can strive for today, allowing and submitting ourselves to the written Word of God to compel us into those attitudes.

However, some of your points are not suitable as they contradict the grace doctrine that we are to follow today.

Point #2 is only applicable to Israel who are under law. (ie: Those Jews in Jesus day, and also Israel during the Tribulation and Millennial Kingdom). Today, we are under the dispensation of grace, and we practice the doctrine written to us by Paul (who btw. received it from Jesus).

Point #6 is a good example of why point #2 is not applicable to us. The way you wrote point #6 in your comment is inaccurate. Jesus, during His earthly ministry, did NOT teach his disciples to forgive others as they have been forgiven. He taught them that IF they forgave, God would forgive them, and IF they did not, God would not forgive them. This is conditional because it is law.

Matt.6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

It is Paul who taught us (by a new revelation from Jesus) as grace believers (and in his grace doctrine) that since we are ALREADY forgiven, that we too should forgive. Notice, no conditional statement here. We don't lose our forgiveness if we do not forgive. Your reference for Matt.6:14-15 is Israel’s doctrine under law, but your reference for Col.3:13 is grace doctrine for us today. See also Eph.1:7 and Eph.4:32.

Please note that the Four Gospels are for Israel under law. Paul's epistles are addressed to us who are under grace. There are many differences between them, this example of forgiveness is only one of many. One cannot mix up or blend the gospels and Paul’s epistles, else one skews or contradicts the Word.

Point #9. Between the Kingdom program and the Grace program, provision also works differently when you study and compare the two. In the Kingdom program the Lord told His disciples they can ask for anything (for example: Matt7:7-8, Matt.18:19, Matt.21:22) and it will be given them. This is actually a command that will be more relevant in the Millennial Kingdom, when the law is written upon their hearts according to the New Covenant (Jer.31:31-34; Ezek.36:24-28). Nevertheless, even when Peter, and the other 11 prayed, their prayers were answered and the dead rose, the sick were healed, and necessities were provided. Today in this grace age, God, in His wisdom and purpose, can work miracles today, but it is not the primary focus. We live by grace today. Paul prayed many times for help and needs and relief, but he did not get it, 2Cor.12:7-10. Today, we can ask all manner of things in all kinds of prayer and supplication, but our faith is in His grace and not in favourable answers for provision, comforts, and necessities. Whether God provides for us or not, we trust in His wisdom and we remain content, Phil.4:11. Our blessings and glory is in the spiritual realm, Eph.1:3.

It is critical to learn to rightly divide the truth. Israel and the Body of Christ are not the same and the doctrine they follow are not the same, sometimes even contradicting, hence the absolute need to separate them. So, the primary doctrine to adhere to today is the doctrine written for us in Paul's epistles. This is the information we learn and saturate ourselves with. We allow this doctrine to flow out of us, influencing our thoughts, our speech, and our actions. It is the Word within us, and that flows out of us, through our obedience to it, that causes us to walk in the Spirit. All other scripture outside of Paul's epistles is not addressed to us for our doctrine, but it is to us, for our learning. We learn of Gods character and His wisdom and great redemption plan. We need to know all of the written Word to comprehend all that God has revealed to us, but we only practice and apply doctrine from the written Word that lines up with, or agrees with, the 'mystery' doctrine that Paul revealed to us by revelation from Jesus Christ.