Learning to live by the indwelling life of Christ.
“To live is Christ” is to give up the control of the cause- effect system of law keeping. And in its place to adopt the control forfeiting faith of sowing to the Spirit. Which is guaranteed life. Christ’s life growing in you, reaping a harvest of love and grace for all eternity.
“To live is Christ” is to fulfill the law of Christ – love. It is to be loved and to love others by bearing their burdens alongside them. Restoring them. Fighting for reconciliation. Pointing them to the grace of God in Jesus.
“To live is Christ” means your old sin nature is dead and gone, and yet the remaining selfish flesh inside of you is still hanging on the cross. Today and every day we must continue crucifying the flesh and its selfish desires. Not by focusing on the desires of the flesh, but by keeping in step with the desires of the Spirit. The desire for Christ and the desires of Christ that now flow out of our grace filled lives as we live by faith.
“To live is Christ” is to grow from a seed into fruit. It’s gradual and unstoppable. Difficult and delightful. And it is a growth that comes by faith alone. Faith in Christ’s love as the seed placed into the soil of our hearts, and faith in Christ love as the fruit of our lives. Lives that are learning to depend more and more on his grace.
n a battle for the desires of your heart. But Christ has won this battle. His desires are yours in Christ. And your deepest desire is for him. Do you believe this?
“To live is Christ” offers us this same true freedom. Not a freedom that we have fought for and won by our own power. Not a freedom that we must hold on to and never give up. But a freedom given to us by grace alone. A freedom that allows us to, like Christ, give up our freedom for the cause of love. A freedom that allows us to fight for reconciliation, peace, and justice. A freedom from Christ’s love that allows us to serve one another through love.
