Christ's life: 10 important lessons
Christ’s life gives us many practical lessons. Image: Rod Long|Unsplash
Christ’s life can offer us many valuable lessons we can apply daily. These life lessons from the Lord perfectly capture what God commands us to do, so it’s only wise to learn about them.
Here are 10 important life lessons you should get from Christ’s life:
1 It’s possible to love everyone
“And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39
The Bible tells us that Jesus spoke to his disciples about God’s second commandment: loving one’s neighbors as oneself. Luke 6:27 reads, “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.”
He would then prove his point in Luke 23:34 during his crucifixion, “‘And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’ And they cast lots to divide his garments.’” Christ asking God to forgive those who crucified him was an act of love directed at his enemies.
These verses perfectly show an example in Christ’s life that we can love everyone regardless of what they did to us or whether we know them.
2 We need to humble ourselves to obey God’s commandments
John 13:1-17 talks about how Christ humbled himself by washing his disciples’ feet after they sup during the Feast of the Passover. It was that time that Jesus knew his time to leave his mortal body and return to the Father had come.
This extraordinary act of humility from Jesus as his way of subjecting himself to God’s will is something we should emulate. Humility is a rare gift that could bring us closer to God.
Instead of thinking about ourselves as infallible or above others, we should exercise humility like Jesus did and know that we are lowly creatures whom God chose to love and obey his commandments.
3 Prayers deliver us from temptations
Luke 22:39-46 says, “And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.’ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’”
This moving scene at Gethsemane, as mentioned in the Bible, illustrates how Christ’s life shows praying as a means to resist all the worldly temptations around us. As humans, we are naturally weak; but with God’s wisdom and guidance through our prayers, we can overcome the temptations to sin.
4 We should forgive if we want to be forgiven
Matthew 6:14-15 shows how Jesus spoke about the value of forgiving those who sinned about us so that we may seek forgiveness for our sins.
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses,” Jesus said.
5 Clarify our heart’s desires
The Gospel of Matthew 7:78 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”
This verse tells us we should be clear and communicate what we want with the right individuals. We can apply this in our daily lives and our relationship with God through prayers.
6 We should stay true to our words
Matthew 5:37 and Matthew 12:37 emphasize how we should honor our words and make good on our promises. Humanity and God will judge us based on how we keep our commitments and what we say — when we talk ill, we harbor hate and would earn God’s wrath and inflict hate on those around us.
7 Our actions, not words, prove our worth
Matthew 7:17-20 talks about how we are judged by our actions, defining our worth as God’s creations.
When we want people to judge us as righteous, we should act righteously through our lifestyles and treat people with genuine kindness. We don’t merely say it; we prove it.
8 Christ’s Golden Rule applies to all each time
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
This is easily Christ’s most famous and important rule, so we call it the Golden Rule. This simply means treating others with respect or love if we want them to respect or love us.
However, it will only sometimes be the case, as some people would not respect or love you. Whether your good deeds are reciprocated, you should follow the Golden Rule and fulfill the Lord’s commandment.
9 We should examine our heart and cleanse it
1 Corinthians 11:28 says, “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”
This verse reminds us how we should find time to reflect on our heart’s content so we may purify it. Do we only feel anguish? Hatred? Envy? Or do we only have love for our neighbors and loved ones?
10 Stay our witness even amid trials and pain
“And he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ And he said to him, ‘Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” – Luke 23:42–43
As Christ was gasping for air and nearing his death, he nonetheless dared to care for the soul of the man crucified alongside Him. He stayed true to his amid despite the excruciating pain he felt.
As we go about living, we find ourselves in situations where we will be hurt and worried by life’s trials and tribulations. Despite those ill emotions, we should seek solace in God’s love and seek to care for the souls of people around us. God will magnify our witness and help us overcome the odds if we continue caring for the salvation of others.
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