To Live Is Christ

Since our church has been thinking about Philippians 1:21 the last couple of Sundays, someone asked me the really good question: "How do I get closer to living Christ than I am right now? I want to be there but it seems like I'm so far away."

Excellent question. It's a question that could lead to lengthy responses, but I want to keep it simple this time around--"brief and brilliant" as my friend C.J. would say. Well brief anyway.

I'd suggest two sincere steps that will draw you closer to this healthy Christian way of life. First, confess your sins and idols--the things that fill in the blank for you: "For to me to live is ______________." Discern what you are serving and giving more time, thought, money and energy to than you are to Christ. Then grieve and confess them to the Lover of your soul.

Next, take a purposeful step toward repentance today by actively opposing one or two of those idols. What is one thing you can do today that will choose Christ over a Christ replacement? Do that today with a conscious, devoted prayer to your Savior like: "Jesus I love you more than this other love of my life, and I want You more than all else."

You will find that as you restore Jesus to His rightful place over one or two idols, you will be given grace to overcome others. When you experience grace in one area of life it spills over into the rest of your life.

So pick one way today that you can live Christ more than you did yesterday. Then continue to do this day by day, and you will find yourself moving ever closer to the joyful place where you can say from experience: "For to me to live is Christ."

God bless you in your every step of faith today.