Topical Bible: Christian Conduct: Living: To Christ

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Living to Christ is a central tenet of Christian conduct, emphasizing a life dedicated to embodying the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. This concept is rooted in the belief that Christians are called to live not for themselves, but for Christ, who died and was raised for their sake. The Apostle Paul encapsulates this in his epistle to the Galatians: "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).

Self-Denial and Sacrifice

Living to Christ involves a commitment to self-denial and sacrifice, mirroring the sacrificial love demonstrated by Jesus. In Matthew 16:24, Jesus instructs His disciples, "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me" . This call to self-denial is not merely about abstaining from worldly pleasures but is a deeper invitation to prioritize Christ's will over personal desires.

Transformation and Renewal

The transformation of the believer's life is a hallmark of living to Christ. Romans 12:2 exhorts Christians, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God" . This transformation is an ongoing process, facilitated by the Holy Spirit, that aligns the believer's thoughts, actions, and character with the teachings of Christ.

Obedience and Holiness

Obedience to Christ's commandments is a fundamental aspect of living to Him. Jesus Himself stated, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15). This obedience is not out of obligation but stems from a genuine love for Christ and a desire to reflect His holiness. 1 Peter 1:15-16 calls believers to holiness: "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy'" .

Service and Love

Living to Christ is also expressed through service and love towards others. Jesus set the ultimate example of servanthood, as seen in John 13:14-15, where He washes His disciples' feet and instructs them to do likewise. The Apostle Paul further emphasizes this in Philippians 2:3-4: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" .

Witness and Evangelism

A life lived to Christ naturally leads to a desire to share the Gospel with others. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands believers to "go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you" . This mission is a vital expression of living to Christ, as it seeks to extend His kingdom and bring others into a saving relationship with Him.

Dependence on Christ

Finally, living to Christ requires a continual dependence on Him for strength and guidance. In John 15:5, Jesus declares, "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing" . This dependence is characterized by a life of prayer, study of Scripture, and reliance on the Holy Spirit to empower and direct the believer's path.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 14:8
For whether we live, we live to the Lord; and whether we die, we die to the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 5:15
And that he died for all, that they which live should not from now on live to themselves, but to him which died for them, and rose again.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Christ Our Lesson and Our Teacher
... to the wider sphere of religious and Christian truth, it ... But my text has solely
reference to conduct, and in ... a vague abstraction but a true living Person"has ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/christ our lesson and our.htm

The Negative Side
... was under such teaching was produced Christian conduct that puts ... have appealed to
the writings of Christian exegetes of ... of the Scriptures, few living today are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

The Divine Christ Confessed, the Suffering Christ Denied
... in other words, of laying down the law of Christian conduct. ... is permitted or forbidden
to a Christian man will ... the Christ, the Son of the living God.' These ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the divine christ confessed the.htm

Living Stones on the Living Foundation Stone
... to bear as a motive upon our conduct, let our ... be nearer, and the secret of our daily
Christian life is ... As 'living stones' they, too, share in the life which ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/living stones on the living.htm

Love and Obedience
... They disclose the very roots of Christian morality, and ... contains the all-sufficient
directory for human conduct. ... take Christ as being our living embodiment of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/love and obedience.htm

Many and One
... to mould the whole life and conduct of individual ... the felicity of this symbol in
its Christian application ... out of separate individuals one living body, animated ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/many and one.htm

'The Breastplate of Righteousness'
... up the whole sum of Christian character and conduct into one ... of righteousness as
existent before the Christian soldier puts ... to sin, can attain to living to God ...
/.../the breastplate of righteousness.htm

Living Martyrs.
... Our Christian civilization has gone long strides beyond that ... The great need to-day
is of living witnesses to ... dreamt, While his friends met his conduct with doubt ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/living martyrs.htm

Pleasing Christ
... therefore, what pleases Christ is the Christian's highest duty ... the secrets of holy
and noble living, I want ... go on the presumption that our conduct affects Him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/pleasing christ.htm

Salvation Nearer
... Dear friends, if we are living in Christ, the thought of ... The conduct to which such
a hope should incite ... of the practical exhortations to a Christian life which ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/salvation nearer.htm