Reimagining Christian values through Christ’s life

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT VALUE CHRIST EXPECTED HIS FOLLOWERS TO CARRY WAS UNCONDITIONAL LOVE, WHICH ENABLES EVERY FOLLOWER TO INCARNATE, PRACTICE RADICAL INTIMACY WITH PEOPLE, AND BE WILLING TO DENY THE SELF FOR THE CAUSE OF HIS KINGDOM.

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n appeal to always lead a value-based Christian life in every circumstance is not an optional add-on; it is, instead, at the core of being a follower of Christ. Jesus’ concluding remark at the end of the Sermon on the Mount, that distinguished those who hear his words and put them into practice from those who do not (Mt. 7:24), highlights the para- mount significance of practical application of the values conveyed in Jesus’ teachings in one’s daily life. The early church, which genuinely took Jesus’ repeated appeal to “follow” him with radical demands (Mt. 4:20; 10:38; 19:21), applied it by paying it with their lives. The final exhortation to the readers in Hebrews 12–13 is grounded in the lives of the “great cloud of witnesses” from Abel to the time of the author and readers of the epistle, including those who were brutally martyred for their faith in Christ.

However, between the first followers of Christ and those who profess to follow Him today, numerous factors have intervened, making it difficult to indicate what it means to lead a value-based Christian life today. Many currently perceive the Christian life through the lenses of their own traditions, denomina- tions, and communities. Consequently, many practices are more superficial and trivial than the values Jesus intended to hand down to his followers. Many, sadly, conflate establish- ments, associations, organizations, or denom- inations with the Church. Some set aside their lives as Christian ministers and live only to acquire positions in organizations and fail to practice any of the principles and values Christ taught the Church. Three unique values Jesus demonstrated through his life serve as the foundation for Christian morality and ethics:

1.Incarnation: Jesus’ assertion, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many,” recorded by Mark (10:45), encapsulates the core of Christ’s mission on earth. The first missionary, Paul, and several genera- tions of missionaries in the ensuing centuries drew the essence of their mission from Christ’s kenotic (self-emp- tying) act of redemption for humanity. Their painful journey in carrying the gospel to the ends of the earth was made possible by the inspiration they drew from Christ’s incarnational model. 1. Intimacy: The public life of Christ in the ancient Jewish society portrayed another significant value. His willing- ness to mingle with people from all walks of life, regardless of class or culture, demonstrated his uncondi- tional love for all and radical humility. In a society where individuals’ identi- ty and status were determined by separation, social boundaries, and regulations, Jesus transcended all of them by associating closely with people on the fringes of society.

2.Sacrifice: It is not merely his final act on the cross; rather, it is an overarch- ing theme that permeates all aspects of Christ’s life, culminating in the cross. His act of incarnation, his close relationship with different segments of people, and his willingness to expose himself to public scrutiny by his opponents, finally facing the trial from the officials and religious thugs of his time, and his brutal murder on the cross, willfully for the redemption of humanity, are superior values Christ displayed. Sadly, the Church that represents Christ today displays some flowery side of Christianity: feeding the poor, acts of kindness, and evangelism. In some cases, the aim becomes adding to the numbers in their organization rather than focusing on transforming people. The most signifi- cant value Christ expected his followers to carry was unconditional love, which enables every follower to incarnate, practice radical intimacy with people, and be willing to deny the self for the cause of His Kingdom.