Let me ask you a question. What is the focus of Christianity? Some may say you have to try and live a perfect life. Others might say it’s rule-based and you can’t have any fun. Still, others would say those Christians only focus on themselves and think they are better than us non-Christians. And someone would say, Jesus.
For the last few weeks, we have been studying the fruit of the Spirit, and we have been talking about dying with Christ, taking our sins, our sinful nature, and daily crucifying it so we can live. Can you tell me what the focus of Christianity is?
What I think it is.
It’s about living. Who would think dying to Christ and crucifying sin would lead to living?
But it does, and do you want to know how?
What did Christ do on the cross?
Christ died.
What happened three days later?
He rose from the dead.
Folks, when we die to Christ, we rise with Him. We live. That’s excellent news.
Let’s look at this from a legal standpoint. My footnote says, “Legally, we have been reconciled with God (2 Corinthians 5:19). This allows us and makes us free to grow into Christ’s likeness. (Romans 8:29)
Does this mean I will be perfect like Christ? No. Sorry to break it to you, but he was the only perfect one and will always solely hold that position.
You might be saying, “But where do I get the power to make all these changes I know I need to make? Where does it come from?”
That’s a great question.
Answer
Jesus Christ.
We have his resurrection power to help us fight the sin in our lives. We are no longer alone in these battles.
So many people think they are alone in the battle. Do you want to know something, though? They forget that Christ is living in them, and they can draw from His power.
Remember the garlic toast in the toaster story I shared a while back? To make toast, the toaster has to be plugged into the outlet. The outlet needs electricity. The electricity needs to be on. You must pay the bill to have electricity running. Don’t pay the bill – no electric. No electric – no power to the outlet. No power to the outlet – no power to the toaster. No power to the toaster – yep, you guessed it, no toast. Make peanut butter and jelly sandwich with your bread.
Ask yourself this question.
Am I plugged into the power?
Christ is the biggest asset in your fight against sin, and I might add, daily. You are ignoring the biggest advocate in your corner if you are not seeking Jesus daily in the battle against sinful desires.
I’m just the messenger, folks. Please don’t shoot me.
As my footnote says, “we are no longer alone, for Christ lives in us – he is our power for living and our hope for the future.”
I guess the question would be this?
Is Christ living in you, or are you still riding the fence? Do you have hope for the future?
As I always like to ask, who are you putting your hope in today? This world? The economy? Yourself? Your spouse? Friends? The bottom of a bottle? A lottery? How’s that working so far?
Let’s pray.
Father, I’m so grateful for your Son, Jesus Christ. Without Him, I would be lost. My life would be entirely different, chaotic, short, and headed to a dead-end. Thanks, God, for thinking of me and loving me enough to send your Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for my sins. I pray others will decide to follow Jesus and live. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
In His Service
The Teaching Lady
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