How Must a Christian Live Their Life? — Based on the Words of Jesus

Many people claim to follow Jesus, but Jesus Himself set clear expectations for what that truly means. To live as a Christian is not about checking a box, attending church once a week, or identifying with a label. It's a radical transformation—a daily walk marked by surrender, love, obedience, and fruitfulness. Jesus didn't call for casual followers; He called for disciples.

Let’s explore what Jesus said about how we must live if we truly belong to Him:

1. Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross Daily

“If anyone wants to be My disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23

To deny yourself is to let go of your personal ambitions, preferences, and the natural desire to be in control. It means putting God’s will above your own. The cross is a symbol of death—specifically, death to self. Jesus calls us not to a comfortable life, but to one of daily surrender. Every day we make the decision to lay down pride, selfishness, and sin so that Christ may live through us.

This isn’t a one-time act. It’s a daily rhythm: not my will, but Yours be done. Just as Jesus carried His cross to Calvary, we are called to carry ours—laying down our lives out of love and obedience to God.

2. Follow Him Wholeheartedly

“Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” – Matthew 4:19

Following Jesus is more than believing in Him—it’s walking where He walked, speaking as He spoke, and loving as He loved. The disciples didn’t merely listen to Jesus from a distance. They left their nets, their jobs, their homes, and followed Him with everything they had.

To follow Jesus today means to center your life around Him. You seek His will in your decisions, imitate His character, and allow Him to direct your path. It’s about proximity and obedience. We don’t follow Christ from afar—we walk closely behind Him, trusting Him to lead us where we could never go on our own.

3. Love Jesus More Than Anyone or Anything Else

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.” – Luke 14:26

Jesus uses strong language here to make a strong point: your love for Him must surpass all others. The word "hate" isn’t meant literally—it’s a Semitic expression meaning “to love less.” Jesus must be your first love, even above your closest relationships and deepest affections.

This doesn’t mean neglecting your family—it means putting Jesus at the center of every relationship and priority. When your love for Him is supreme, all other relationships are rightly ordered. When Jesus is first, your love for others becomes deeper, purer, and more sacrificial.

4. Surrender All You Have

“In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be My disciples.” – Luke 14:33

Christianity is not about partial commitment. Jesus doesn’t want part of your life—He wants it all. Everything you have—your possessions, your plans, your resources, your identity—must be laid at His feet.

This doesn’t mean every Christian will be called to literal poverty, but it does mean that nothing we have is off-limits to God. Our homes, our time, our money, our careers—everything is surrendered for His use. A Christian holds nothing back and says with sincerity, “All I have is Yours, Lord.”

5. Remain in His Word

“If you hold to My teaching, you are really My disciples.” – John 8:31

Remaining in Jesus’ Word means abiding in it—living in it, studying it, obeying it, and allowing it to shape your thoughts, your heart, and your actions. A Christian life disconnected from Scripture is like a tree with no roots—it cannot survive.

Jesus’ teachings are not optional advice; they are the very foundation of the Christian life. To follow Christ is to know His words and live by them, even when it’s hard, even when it’s unpopular. His truth sanctifies us and sets us free (John 17:17; John 8:32).

6. Love One Another

“By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35

Christian love isn’t a feeling—it’s an action. It’s forgiveness, grace, humility, and self-sacrifice. It's going the extra mile, bearing each other’s burdens, and putting others before yourself. Jesus modeled this kind of love by washing His disciples’ feet—and by dying for them.

The world recognizes true disciples not by our buildings, sermons, or social media posts—but by how we treat each other. If our churches and communities are filled with backbiting and division, we betray the name of Christ. Love is our most powerful witness.

7. Bear Much Fruit

“This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be My disciples.” – John 15:8

Jesus expects growth. A fruitless Christian life is not a faithful one. When we abide in Christ—spending time in prayer, the Word, and obedience—His Spirit produces fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

But fruit isn’t just character—it’s also impact. Do others see Christ in you? Are people drawn to Him because of your life? Fruitfulness glorifies God and proves that our faith is alive. A Christian who is deeply rooted in Christ will not remain the same—they will flourish and multiply.

Final Thoughts: A Life That Reflects Christ

Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. In fact, He said the road is narrow and few will find it (Matthew 7:14). But He also said it’s worth it. Eternal life, peace with God, purpose in this world, and treasures in the next are promised to those who walk His way.

To live as a Christian is to live with Jesus as Lord, not just Savior. It’s a daily walk of surrender, love, obedience, and fruitfulness. Not in our own strength—but in the strength He supplies through the Holy Spirit.

“Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me will find it.” – Matthew 16:25

Lose your life for Christ—and you’ll discover the life you were always meant to live.