LIVING IN CHRIST "For me to live is Christ." - Philippians 1:21 God's dear children did not always live to Christ. They begin to do so when God the Holy Spirit convinces them of sin by grace. There is nothing that convinces a sinner of the sinfulness of sin like a faith's view of their bleeding, dying Saviour appeasing the Father's wrath upon that on Calvary's Tree! From the moment the love of Christ constrains us to live for Him, we begin to hate sin. Such a faith's view of our Lord Jesus Christ also opens our understanding to realize that His atonement was not only to redeem us from hell. The Word of God says in TIT 2:14 that Christ "...gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." Such redeeming love so completely wins our heart's love, that it beats for Him alone. Then our chief desire is to live to His glory, and we would die in defense of His gospel. Christ becomes the pattern of our life, and the model after which we would sculpture our character. "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour," EPH 5:1-2. Paul's words mean more than most men think; they imply that the aim and end of his life was Christ - nay, his life itself was Jesus Christ. Whether he did eat, drink, or sleep, all was for the glory of His blessed Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ was the Apostle Paul's very life. Christ was the object of all his affections, his breath, the soul of his soul, the heart of his heart, the life of his life. Can you say, as a professing Christian that you live up to this standard? Can you honestly say that for you to live is Christ? What about your business - are you doing it for Christ or for self-advantage? Do you ask, "Does that violate Scriptural principle?" For the Christian it does. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God," 1CO 10:31. He who professes to live for Christ cannot live for another object without committing a spiritual adultery? Many live in spiritual barrenness because their heart is divided, but see the blessed invitation we read in JER 3:14, "Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you." Our heavenly Bridegroom is jealous of the affections of His bride. Very few live for Christ as the Apostle Paul did, but there are also these same few who experience what we read of in ISA 26:3-4. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength." Living for, and trusting in Christ is the only path that leads to perfect peace! That does not mean we will not experience some very trying circumstances, but in those circumstances there will be perfect peace, trusting in our heavenly Bridegroom--accepting all as from His hand of love. This peace alone is the true life of a Christian - its source, its sustenance, its fashion, its end, all gathered up in one word - Christ Jesus is my Lord. May our heart's cry be "Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to live only in Thee and to Thee. Let me live only for Thy glory, and not to serve self." Amen. WONDERFUL LOVE Come, let us sing of a wonderful love, tender and true, Jesus the Saviour this gospel to tell joyfully came, Jesus is seeking the wanderers yet; Why do they roam? Come to my heart, O thou wonderful Love! Come and abide, - Robert Walmsley |