When seeking how best to live our lives for Christ, there is great value in looking at what the apostles had to say about this. In the New Testament epistles, we find sections where both Peter and Paul made statements to the effect of, “If you want to live holy lives, I urge you to…” It’s there in black and white.
The very Word of God tells us what we should do to live a life pleasing to God and that would have us look like Jesus. It’s sad how easy it is to gloss over these passages when there is so much gold to be mined from them. It’s why we shouldn’t just read the Bible; we must study it, marinate in it, and bathe in it. Studying the Word of God is never a waste of time.
Let’s look at what the apostles urged us to do as believers. First, Paul says, “I urge you” to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, not to be conformed to this world, and to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:1-2) That’s about as succinct a statement as you will ever find regarding what it means to live a holy life. We all understand what it means not to be conformed to this world. It means not to engage in the things everyone else is doing and to stand firm on the truth of God’s Word. If you know Christ, you will always know the right thing to do because the very Spirit of God is living inside of you. He is never confused or conflicted.
To be a living sacrifice means to give up everything you desire in life so that you can instead only desire the things that Jesus desires. (Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:19-20) We recognize all the best things this world can offer combined equal no more than a stinking heap of garbage. (Philippians 3:7-8) It’s all meaningless. (Ecclesiastes 1:2; 1 John 2:17) Only what we do for Christ will remain when we die. (1 Corinthians 3:12-15; Matthew 6:19-20) If we repent of our sins and surrender our lives to the will of God, He will transform our hearts and minds into the likeness of Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:18) We will desire eternal things rather than the junk we have in this world. (Colossians 3:1-2; Matthew 6:19-21)
Peter later says, “I urge you” to live as strangers and temporary residents while on earth, abstaining from fleshly desires, conducting your lives with honor, submitting to human authority, and silencing the ignorance of unbelievers by your righteous living. (1 Peter 2:11-17) It’s a high bar, but Peter also reminds us we are to be holy because God is holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16) His urging is nothing more than a call to this holiness. Live with honor and integrity by always doing what you say. (Matthew 5:37) Unless it violates scripture, which is the higher law, submit to those in authority over you. (Romans 13:1-2; Acts 5:29) Living lives above reproach condemns those who would criticize our faithfulness to Christ. (1 Peter 2:12; 1 Peter 3:16)
How to live for Jesus is not some mystery we have to discover. God speaks through the apostles under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and gives us a clear manual on how to live for Him. You don’t need 37 other books or a series of do’s and don’ts from the best thinkers of the day. You just need God’s Word. It’s all there for you. I urge you to obey it.