The following series is based on a book written by Jeremy and Sushma Ballard, “Is Your Home a Jesus Home?” The book is available for purchase on Amazon (Paperback & eBook), Barnes & Noble (Paperback & eBook), and Apple Books (eBook). Every purchase helps to support Jesus Home Ministries and the work Jeremy and Sushma are doing.
Last time, we explored the amazing gift of grace and righteousness that Jesus offers to us. Today, we will look at what it means to live for Jesus in our everyday lives. Living for Jesus involves loving God, loving others, and living out His commandments.
Imagine a life fully lived in the presence of God without sin—it sounds incredible! But while we are here on earth, we are called to live for Jesus every day. This means loving our families, obeying God’s Word, and building up the family of God—the church. Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided to you.” When we prioritize His kingdom and live according to His righteousness, everything else falls into place.
A simple way to remember how to live for Jesus is the word “JOY“—Jesus first, Others second, Yourself last. When we follow this order, we find true joy. Jesus emphasized this in the greatest commandments: love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–39).
Living for Jesus means surrendering our desires and following His will. Paul instructs us in Romans 12:1–2 to offer our bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by renewing our minds. This daily transformation helps us discern and live out God’s perfect will for our lives.
Following Jesus requires complete commitment. In Luke 14:26, Jesus teaches that our love for Him should far exceed all other loves, even that of our families. This doesn’t mean we neglect our loved ones, but rather that our devotion to Christ comes first. Paul echoes this commitment in 1 Timothy 6:12, urging us to “fight the good fight of faith.”
Living for Jesus is a daily spiritual battle to renew our minds and take up our cross. Paul provides practical instructions in Ephesians 4:17–32 on how to live a life that honors God:
- Lay aside the old self: Let go of sinful behaviors and selfish desires.
- Renew the spirit of your mind: Daily transform your thinking to be more like Christ and less like the world.
- Put on the new self: Embrace your new identity in Christ as a new creation.
- Lay aside falsehood: Reject lies, deceit, and dishonesty.
- Speak truth with your neighbor: Always be honest and speak with integrity.
- Be angry, but do not sin: Manage your anger so it doesn’t lead to sin; resolve conflicts quickly.
- Do not give the devil an opportunity: Avoid sin that would give Satan a foothold in your life.
- Steal no longer: Work honestly for what you need, rather than taking from others.
- Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth: Speak only words that are edifying and beneficial.
- Do not grieve the Holy Spirit: Be sensitive to the Spirit’s guidance and avoid disobedience.
- Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, slander, and malice be put away from you: Reject negative attitudes and actions.
- Be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving: Embrace kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, just as Christ forgave us.
To live for Jesus is to prioritize His kingdom, renew our minds, and walk in a manner worthy of our calling. It’s a daily journey of surrender, obedience, and love. With the help of the Holy Spirit and the encouragement of our Christian community, we can live lives that truly honor God.
Next time, we will see what a loving family looks like and how we can create such a Christ-centered environment in our homes.
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