February 15, 2013
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me.” Galatians 2:20 New American Standard
You were never made to live like Jesus. His life redeemed you with all of your faults and all of your strengths. God created you uniquely in his image. You can set goals and work tirelessly on character traits that you hope will reflect on a positive christian life. But the real life that Christ wants you to have .. to walk in .. and to live out of .. is His risen life “in” you. He wants to live so intimately in you that you face your day with the knowledge and abiding assurance that it is His Life that gives you life today. You are still you in all that God created, but now there is a “you” that can only be described as Christ living in you. When Christ’s life is your life, you discover what grace feels like. It’s not about you .. how you perform today .. who you impress .. how hard you have to work to get ahead. It’s about living for Christ and his life. You begin living a loved-life .. not living to get love .. but living so His love can pour through you today. The seasons of your life will change, but His life in you never changes. There is no retirement in Christ .. only reassignment where your message is just as urgent .. holy simple .. indefatigably generous. The life Jesus has for you today is one where it’s no longer you living it first … but Christ living in you. And with Jesus … it only takes a moment …
“I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over our shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2 The Message
Ken Chester: Grace-Gripped is sent M-F to No-Longer-the-Same Followers of Jesus and friends of Priority One (KchesterP1@gmail.com)
