There are two ways to live and two ways to die. We can live and die apart from Christ, hoping that any good we do will last longer than a vapor in the breeze. Or we can live and die in Christ, knowing that all that we’ve done in faith will work an eternal weight of glory. A legacy unstained by sin and unfaded by time. A legacy of “to live is Christ.”
“To live is Christ” has made us, God’s church, the tent of David. God’s presence now dwelling in us and through us. Our lives now lived boldly before God as living sacrifices to the praise of his glorious grace. This is the meaning of life. This is why we were created. To live passionately in God’s presence where there is fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.
“To live is Christ” is to be a mini-messiah. Anointed by the Spirit of God with the life of God, living from the love and power of God each day. Priest-Kings like Christ refusing to demand the life of others while giving our lives for others.
“To live is Christ” means you are Jesus’ Ruth. His once cursed bride, now presented pure and holy before God. Welcomed into the assembly of God’s people. Rejoicing every day in your “happily ever after” with God.
Union with Christ has made Jesus the king of our hearts and the heart of the King has become the heart of his people.
“To live is Christ” makes our confession and repentance acts of faith in our death with Christ and our resurrection with Christ to his indwelling righteous life. Only when we trust fully in what our union with Christ has already accomplished will we be free from the cycle of sin-repent-repeat. Only when we believe that all sin has been dealt with forever, will we find the freedom to pursue God’s holiness from faith and not from fear.
