The life and teachings of Jesus Christ serve as the ultimate example for believers, particularly in the realm of love. Conformity to Christ's example in love is a central tenet of Christian discipleship, calling believers to emulate His selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love.

Biblical Foundation

The call to conform to Christ's example in love is rooted in Scripture. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This passage underscores the importance of love as a defining characteristic of a follower of Christ, modeled after His own love.

Christ's Love as a Model

Christ's love is characterized by several key attributes that believers are called to emulate:

1. Sacrificial Love: Jesus' ultimate act of love was His sacrifice on the cross. In John 15:13 , He states, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This sacrificial nature of Christ's love calls believers to put others' needs above their own, even to the point of personal sacrifice.

2. Unconditional Love: Christ's love is not contingent upon the worthiness of the recipient. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Believers are thus encouraged to love others regardless of their actions or status.

3. Forgiving Love: Jesus exemplified forgiving love, even towards those who wronged Him. In Luke 23:34 , He prayed, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing," as He was being crucified. This teaches believers to forgive others, following Christ's example.

4. Compassionate Love: Throughout His ministry, Jesus showed compassion to the marginalized and suffering. Matthew 9:36 notes, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Believers are called to show similar compassion to those in need.

Practical Application

Conforming to Christ's example in love requires intentional action and transformation. Romans 12:2 urges believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation involves adopting Christ's mindset and priorities, allowing His love to flow through every aspect of life.

1. Loving One Another: The early church exemplified this love in their communal life, as seen in Acts 2:44-47 , where believers shared their possessions and cared for one another. Modern believers are encouraged to foster similar communities of love and support.

2. Loving Enemies: Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:44 challenges believers to "love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical love breaks down barriers and reflects the heart of Christ.

3. Serving Others: Following Christ's example of servanthood, believers are called to serve others humbly. In John 13:14-15 , after washing His disciples' feet, Jesus instructs, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example so that you should do as I have done for you."

Conclusion

The call to conform to Christ's example in love is a profound and challenging aspect of the Christian faith. By embracing sacrificial, unconditional, forgiving, and compassionate love, believers not only reflect the character of Christ but also fulfill His command to love one another, thereby bearing witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... This, in conformity with the theory in question, should read ... in the light of the
spirit and example of Christ ... holy and did his duty, "Even Christ pleased himself ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture iv foundation of moral.htm

Obedience to the Moral Law.
... excited emotion, rather than in conformity of the ... the accomplishment of the thing
required to be ... For example, Christ had all the constitutional appetites and ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xi obedience to the.htm

Attributes of Love.
... For example: it is common for persons to deny self ... of his love that secures its
universal conformity, in all ... This is doubtless what Christ intended when he said ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Attributes of Love.
... relation to moral law, and expresses its conformity to it ... For example: every man
sustains such relations that he can ... the state of mind required by Christ in the ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xii attributes of love.htm

The Prayer of Prayers
... That practical conformity to the will of God requires divine ... You and I have Jesus
Christ for our Teacher, the ... We have His example to stand as our perfect law. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the prayer of prayers.htm

Knox's Book of Common Order.
... in the strict adherence to the example of our ... and effectively those signs which Christ
hath ordained ... regulations and outlines to which conformity was required ...
/.../johnston/presbyterian worship/chapter iii knoxs book of.htm

Letter i. --About Vanity and Infidelities.
... word in justification under any pretext whatever is according to the spirit of the
Gospel, and in conformity with the example of Jesus Christ and of ...
/.../abandonment to divine providence/letter i about vanity and infidelities.htm

Foundation of Moral Obligation.
... Virtue, or moral excellence, consists in conformity of will to moral law ... will the
glory of the Father and the salvation of souls, than the example of Christ. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture vi foundation of moral.htm

Be not Conformed to this World. Romans 12:2.
... every man another's wealth." They are required to copy the example of Jesus Christ. ...
They are required not to conform to the world, because conformity to the ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be not conformed to this.htm

The Christ of the Gospels. By Rev. Professor Schaff.
... of duty, and exhibits an entire conformity to the ... the regenerating and sanctifying
power of his Spirit and example. ... from all they had heard and seen of Christ. ...
/.../the christ of the gospels.htm

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