How Jesus Summarized the Christian Lifestyle

Summing up the whole of the Christian life in a single phrase is no small feat.  Some Christians point to John 3:16 for this task, while others may point to Eph. 2:8-10, or even Romans 10:9-10.  But, luckily, we are not left to our own theological preference when it comes to summarizing Christianity, specifically in matters of living, for Jesus Himself summarized the Christian life for us.

As far as salvation is concerned, perhaps the Gospel of John has the most to say about faith and salvation.  While John's Gospel is unified in pointing to the efficacy of belief in receiving salvation, which is that grace of God enacted by Christ Jesus' work in life and death, it is how Jesus answers the sly questions of the slithering scribes in Matthew's Gospel that give us the best summary of how God desires believers to live.

The scene goes something like this: while in Jerusalem before his Passion, Jesus is having to deal with constant barraging attacks and theological traps set by the religious leaders who wish to destroy Him.  In one such inquisition, the Pharisees, seeking to trap Jesus, ask Him, "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment?"  Jesus, without a flinch or beat responds, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matt. 22:37)."

While this is a beautiful and easily memorizable passage the importance of it should not be lost due to its ease.  Jesus quoted directly from Deuteronomy in His reply (Deut. 6:4-5).  In doing so, not only did Jesus defend Himself by relying on the authority of Scripture, He also made clear to Christians that what God has asked from humans in history past is the same thing He asks of us now: utter and complete devotion.

This should be a convicting but comforting truth.  For God has not changed in what he requires of us: everything.  So, when Jesus responds to the testing traps of the Pharisees and leaders of the Law, He is not only answering them their question, He is answering us ours.  How far does God ask us to go in our devotion? All the way.  Every single crevice and nook is to be focused and filled with devotion to God.  This is the Christian life style in a nutshell straight from the mouth of our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus.