Learning to live by the indwelling life of Christ.
“To live is Christ” has brought us into the joy of the LORD. Yes, weep over your sin, this is right and good. But then rejoice over your Savior, for he rejoices over you. Let your mourning be turned to dancing and your sorrow to gladness. Let your cross become your resurrection. Let the imputed holiness of Christ cause you to delight in him. Let his grace make you happy (it’s okay, you’re allowed), and find your strength in the joy of the Lord.
“To live is Christ” means all who are in Christ have been brought out of the exile of death and into the promised land of his eternal life. Now, in Christ, we never have to feel disconnected from God in our physical exile, for Christ has ended our spiritual exile.
“To live is Christ means fearless living is possible. As “Elijah’s” we have no fear in death, for we will be immediately swept up into the presence of God. And as “Elisha’s” we have no fear in life, for we live from the double portion of the Spirit, the life of Jesus himself.
“To live is Christ” is the wisdom from God. It is a response to life that will always seem foolish to the world, because it will always seek to serve rather than be served. It will always do what is just and good even when it hurts. It will always give grace, even when none will be given in return. And it will do all of this from the fear of the Lord. From a faith that trust God’s wisdom found in the upside down of the cross.
Only as we are made more and more aware of our sin (you are the man), and convinced more and more that we have died to that sin (blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity), will sin then die in our lives as we rely less and less on the self and more and more on “to live is Christ.”
Do you feel like a dead dog today? Can you hear the voice of the King saying to you, “Come my beloved son, come my beloved daughter, and feast at my table.” Can you hear the voice of God inviting you to be swallowed up in his unconditional love and grace through Christ? Once an enemy, now a child of the King. Once outside, now inside. Once a dead dog, now “to live is Christ.”
To Live is Christ 