To Live is Christ. :: Deeper Devotion

Philippians 1:21
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

What did you wake up thinking about this morning? After I felt my way through the dark to the alarm clock strategically placed on the other side of the bedroom, the first thing I thought about was the bathroom. Seriously though, what drives you? If you were to create one of those shirts that say, “Life is _____, the rest is just details”, what would your blank be? I have to say that I have recently been convicted by the life and writings of the Apostle Paul. If he lived today, I don’t think there would be any need for him to purchase one of those shirts. Everyone around him was aware of the fact that to him, “to live is Christ.” They knew this because His life spoke for itself. Does your life speak for itself, or more importantly, what is your life saying?

Several important changes took place in Paul’s life after he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. Among the most important of these changes was the total renunciation of his past life. He considered himself to be a “new creation” no longer under the authority of sin, but willingly subjected to Christ’s rule of his life. Have you come to this point in your relationship with God? It is one thing for us to simply claim Jesus Christ as our Savior. It is quite another, however, to truly make Him Lord of our life. Paul compares the differences between a nonbeliever and a Christian in Galatians 5:17-23. Which list do you have more in common with?

Secondly, I notice that Paul has devoted himself to studying the Word of God. He continually encourages the saints to be devoted to the scriptures. I am convicted by the lack of commitment I often experience in this area of my life. If Christ is truly our life, where is the desire to get up in the morning and spend time in prayer and study? I have a sneaky suspicion that Paul’s life would not have so easily represented Christ if spending time in the scriptures had not been such a priority for him.

Finally, once we are transformed into new creations, and are spending time alone with the Lord on a regular basis, the desire to share the love of Christ with those around us should become a natural outpouring of our heart. Paul said that he had become all things to all men so that in all ways he could win the more to Christ. He proclaimed that he was not ashamed of the Gospel and that it was the power of salvation unto all people. When is the last time you shared your faith with someone. Do all of your friends even know you are a Christian? If not, how do you think that makes the Lord feel?

Remember that you are separated from the old life you once lived. There is no excuse for you to continue practicing the sinful activities Christ saved you from. I pray that you would take the time to study the scriptures on a daily basis and to uncover amazing truths and promises found there within! If your life is now centered on Christ, don’t hesitate to share it with others.

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