To Live is Christ

Wednesday night I began a new “Roots” small group study at my church.  The class is called “Foundations.”

I was not sure what the class would entail. Frankly, it was my last-minute choice.  I had signed up late, and the course I had chosen was canceled because not enough folks picked it. So, when the church let me know that the class was canceled, I asked, “What’s left?” and I picked this class called “Foundations,” thinking it might be an Old Testament class or something like that.  But I was wrong.  In fact, it seems to be something completely different from what I expected.  If the first night’s discussion is any indication it is going to be a very good course.

We got through the pleasantries of introducing ourselves. The course leader asked a “simple” question.  He asked the class what we thought it meant to be a Christian and several spoke up. I rattled off a bunch of paraphrased passages.  But ultimately the discussion ended with a straightforward explanation that leaves a multitude of opportunities for future discussions.  The answer presented by the instructor was simple.  To be a Christian is “To live is Christ.”

I pondered that a bit today and looked at a multitude of scripture. I looked at things that Jesus did, as well as those who imitated him, and it is clear, to be a Christian is to have an intimate relationship with God.  We also must share the good news of that relationship with others in thought, word, and deed and let them know that they can have that same relationship with God.

Thought Word and Deed

Our salvation is not based on works, but our actions do reflect what is in our hearts. If we profess to be Christians, our behavior should reflect it.  Paul spoke of this a lot.  I like what he said in Philippians 1.

Philippians 1:27-28 (ESV)

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Being worthy of the Gospel is such a powerful command.  Paul goes on in chapter two to explain more what he means.

Philippians 2:1-3 (ESV)

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

As I read that passage, I am humbled. I am pretty sure that was Paul’s goal.  It was the need for unity in the body of the church. Paul knew that it is challenging to promote unity if everyone is not on the same page, which requires humility.

If one feels an air of superiority, it is difficult for them to unite with those they perceive as inferior or lack sufficient knowledge or commitment.  So many times, we can get caught up in feeling that we don’t need the church or there are so many there that do not take their commitment to God seriously.

I think that is an easy trap to fall into, but it is just that… a trap. I think the thing to remember is what I can bring to the church… or the congregation.  Sure, there are churches that have fallen away from the truth of God’s Word and maybe you should leave them behind.  That is between you and God.  But if you are being taught by a strong man of God in the pulpit stay and be an encouragement to others and listen so that you might grow as well.

Paul had a pretty good example that he shared in Philippians 2.

It’s Hard to be Humble

It is easy to allow others to frustrate us, isn’t it? I think everyone has a situation where they have less patience with others. For me, it was motorcycle riding.  I hated having to slow down because a rider could not ride as fast as I could. It was boring. Sometimes I would ride in the very back so I could slow down and catch up.  So I could be in control…

I think the same thing can happen in Church.  Our preacher must generate a sermon that is balanced so that he does not overwhelm new believers and does not bore seasoned believers. It is tough.  If the senior Christians are bored that can manifest itself as pride. If the new Christians are overwhelmed that can manifest itself as fear.  Neither is good, but Paul, in chapter two of Philippians, shared a bit of info that is very humbling.  It begins in the third verse.

Philippians 2:3-8 (NASB)

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.

I read this passage and I realized that I have an obligation to consider the interests of others ahead of my own and there is no better example than Jesus.  There is no room for pride or fear, but only love.  All that comes to mind as I write this section is 1Corinthians 13, the Love chapter.

As I think about what drives me it is not pride, there is nothing I have a right to be proud of in the flesh… NOTHING. Sometimes fear, but more so since I lost my wife Pat.  My hope is to demonstrate love to those around me.

In all this I had to consider Philippians 3 where Paul spoke of pride.

All is Just + Rubbish

When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he had this history in the Law as a Pharisee, and he had studied under the best teachers of the Law, but it was all a waste when he came to know Jesus. So, he explains in chapter three what he had learned.

 Philippians 3:7-11 (NASB)

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. But, more than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ,  and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith,  that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul was clear that his whole life changed when he came to the Lord. He counted everything to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Jesus.

Isn’t that true for all of us when we come to know Jesus? But not all of us become teachers like Paul.

I still had the same job with the same company.  But my view of that work changed.  It was no longer all about me.  Everything that I did, I had to remember it was for Jesus that I worked, and that had to be reflected in my attitude and quality of work. My effort was for the Lord. Paul speaks of that attitude in Colossians.

Colossians 3:23-24 (NASB)

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.

I never really was sure if I was able to say that I lived up to this scripture until I got some distance from my work life. Looking back, I can say that I did most days.  There was still a bit of the aggressor in my personality that got out on occasion, but even on those days, I made every effort to apologize.  I went from being a contentious individual always ready to fight over anything to someone more patient in almost all regards.

And that was the indwelling Holy Spirit that made that change in me.

The only thing of real value to me was Jesus, and He had no use for a short temper or an aggressive attitude.

Closing Thoughts

I think I could continue with page after page of examples of the Christian life. I guess that is what it comes down to… the life of a Christian. On my workspace where I am writing this, I have passages from 1John, John, Ephesians, Matthew, Acts, and more from Philippians that I have not used.  And the thing is, I could find more in virtually every book of the old and new testaments of God’s Word, but I will close this with only two more.  John wrote both.

John 13:35 (NASB)

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 3:14 (NASB)

14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love abides in death.

I am filled with the Love that John, Paul, and Jesus speak of in these passages. This Love is how one can experience joy even in the darkest of circumstances. Joy keeps me standing when I want to sit and sitting when I want to lay down. It fills me with thanksgiving regardless of the circumstances… even when my heart is broken because I know that Jesus is with me always.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your permanent presence in my life. Thank you for the peace and joy it brings even during the darkest circumstances.  Praise Be to You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.