Living as Christ Died

Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Mark 8:34).  When Paul introduces the song we refer to as the “Christ hymn” that describes Jesus’ obedient death on the cross (Philippians 2:6-10) he does so saying, “Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus.”  The letter of 1 Peter also suggests that we are to walk “in the steps” of Jesus.  Actually that letter gives those instructions to slaves who are being mistreated by their masters.  I don’t think any of us today would say that slavery itself and certainly the mistreatment of other person was godly.  Still, the 1 Peter 2:21 by itself inspired one of the classic Christian novels In His Steps and a well- known Christian slogan—What Would Jesus Do? 

These along with many other passages point to a recurring theme in the New Testament—how Jesus died should in some way define how we live.  In some instances, that means living out our truth through worship in baptism (Romans 6:3) and Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:26).  In other passages, it is about living selflessly and unashamed of Christ (Luke 9:23-27).  And still other passages speak of it in terms of giving to help meet the needs of others (1 John 3:16-17).  There are many ways for us to follow the pattern of Christ and to live a life defined by his death. 

The first step in living out this recurring instruction in the New Testament, though, is choosing that as your preferred way of life.  So many times Christians summarize the significance of Jesus death on the cross in this way—he died for my sins.  Saying that by itself is never enough.  He died so that we might live and that we might live in godly ways.