To Live is Christ

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

Paul referred to himself as a slave to Christ numerous times. If you don't know much about Paul, he was radically transformed by Christ. He had been one of the biggest opponents of the Christian faith, killing many and overseeing the deaths of many more. His conversion was one I'm sure the disciples never saw coming, but that is how God works in His grace and kindness: transforming His enemies into sons and daughters. Paul's life post-conversion was wholly committed to Christ. He was imprisoned, beaten, rejected, and endured trial after trial, but still, he counted all of it worth it for the sake of Christ.

We are not apostles, but we are to be like Paul wherever we find ourselves. We are slaves to Christ. Our servitude is not oppressive. It is not joyless. It is not something we are trying to break free from. We have been bought by the blood of Jesus. It is our highest privilege to be ambassadors for Christ here in this world. Is it possible to ignore our high calling and live selfishly with no regard for our Savior? Of course. That is the struggle we face every waking moment. Our natural inclination is to be lazy, to think only of ourselves and our own comfort. We love the easy life. I find the desire to put myself first always there. Jesus told us, " If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26)

What does this look like in our daily lives? It means actively thinking about Christ during the day. It's hard to live for Christ if we don't think of Christ. Make a plan to read your Bible, to pray, to memorize Scripture. I like to write verses out on notecards. It also means actively thinking of ways to honor Christ in our daily activities. Most of us aren't in full time, paid ministry positions. We can, however, ask ourselves throughout the day, what would Christ want from me in this situation? Yes, it takes time, mental energy, and if you are in a non-Christian work environment, probably some mocking. But all that is little compared to the joy that comes from serving Christ.

I'm talking to myself here too. It is so easy to just do whatever is next on my checklist for the day without much thought. I get through the day and think, what a waste. I thought little of Christ. I didn't thank Him. I didn't praise Him. I didn't seek His help. We need to fight against complacency. God will still use us in spite of our complacency, but how much more fulfilling and rich our lives would be if we thought much of Christ (both as a measure of time and quality). Our trials often bring us to our knees, but how about the days without much? I remember my college pastor saying, "Sometimes the lack of a trial is the trial." In the mundane, in the joys, in the sorrows, in the doldrums, seek Christ. Honor Him with every aspect of your life wherever you find yourself today. Make it a habit to pray without ceasing. Praying isn't limited to just a formal time. You can pray in the car. Pray as you walk. Pray in the shower. Ask God what He wants from you today and to help you accomplish it. Apart from Him, you can do nothing.