Topical Bible: Natural Life: should be Spent in Living to God

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Introduction

The concept of living one's natural life in devotion to God is a central theme in Christian theology. This entry explores the biblical basis for dedicating one's life to God, emphasizing the call to live in accordance with His will and purpose. The Bible provides numerous passages that encourage believers to live their lives in a manner that honors and glorifies God.

Biblical Foundations

1. Creation and Purpose: The Bible begins with the account of creation, where humanity is made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This foundational truth establishes that human life is inherently valuable and purposeful. The purpose of life, as outlined in Scripture, is to glorify God and enjoy a relationship with Him. Isaiah 43:7 states, "Everyone called by My name and created for My glory, whom I have indeed formed and made."

2. The Call to Holiness: Believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, it is written, "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.'" This call to holiness is a directive to live in a way that reflects God's character and commands.

3. Living Sacrifices: Romans 12:1-2 urges believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This passage highlights the importance of dedicating one's entire being to God's service.

4. The Greatest Commandment: Jesus summarized the law with the greatest commandment, which is to love God with all one's heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37-38). This commandment underscores the necessity of prioritizing one's relationship with God above all else, directing every aspect of life towards Him.

5. Stewardship of Life: The parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) illustrates the principle of stewardship, where individuals are entrusted with resources and responsibilities to be used for God's glory. This parable teaches that life itself is a gift from God, to be managed wisely and productively in service to Him.

6. Eternal Perspective: Colossians 3:1-2 encourages believers to set their minds on things above, not on earthly things. "Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." This eternal perspective motivates Christians to live their natural lives with a focus on God's kingdom and eternal values.

Practical Implications

1. Daily Living: Living to God involves integrating faith into every aspect of daily life. Colossians 3:17 instructs, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This means that every action, decision, and interaction should reflect one's commitment to God.

2. Work and Vocation: The Bible teaches that work is a form of worship when done for the Lord. Colossians 3:23-24 states, "Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

3. Relationships: Relationships are to be conducted in a manner that honors God. Ephesians 5:1-2 encourages believers to "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God."

4. Witness and Evangelism: Living to God includes being a witness to others, sharing the gospel, and making disciples. Matthew 28:19-20, known as the Great Commission, commands, "Therefore 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."

Conclusion

The Bible provides a comprehensive framework for understanding that natural life should be spent in living to God. Through creation, the call to holiness, stewardship, and an eternal perspective, believers are encouraged to dedicate their lives to God's service, reflecting His glory in all they do.

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

Philippians 1:21
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Spiritual Declension.
... spiritual life, not less than the natural life, requires appropriate ... of declension
in the Christian life is a ... to encroach upon the time which should be spent ...
/.../orr/food for the lambs or helps for young christians/spiritual declension.htm

Growth
... The one is natural, the other mechanical. ... And even in his closet, where only should
reign silence"a ... Life is a perpetual self-condemning because they are not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/growth.htm

Introduction
... which he takes his name; and spent his whole ... plays upon it, the forms which should
be taken ... the doctrine of medieval psychology, make up natural life of normal ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/introduction.htm

Our Expectation
... Christianity is not a natural growth: it is constantly a divine ... in the Lord Jesus,
and so to have eternal life! ... it into a single number, or I should have had ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/our expectation.htm

Jesus the Bread of Life.
... the Church is the world supplied with the life He furnishes ... and fit order then, as
it is the natural and fit ... power of the Lord to feed the world should be the ...
/.../the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xiv jesus the bread of.htm

Letters on the Consecrated Life
... a woman called of God and her natural powers, constantly ... become weary and very bitter:
for we should strive to ... Agnese is to lead the consecrated life no less ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/letters on the consecrated life.htm

Of the Origin, Life, Reign, Name and Death of Jupiter, and of ...
... man; but in the case of that natural Jupiter, led ... on earth, it only remains that
we should also investigate ... provided them with a settled mode of life and corn ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap xi of the origin life.htm

"What is Your Life?"
... clear, of course, that each of these views is the natural recoil from ... not understand
life"why it should begin, why it should end. ... Life is an irrevocable thing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/what is your life.htm

The Transfiguration
... illuminates a lamp, and what the life is like ... are incoherent, but they are quite
natural from one ... in religion, and without being destroyed, should be "fulfilled ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 9 2-8 the transfiguration.htm

On Infants' Early Deaths.
... infant, on the contrary, there is a natural delight in ... the future equally with the
past should check the ... foreknowledge has detected in his future life, and in ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/on infants early deaths.htm