The Normal Christian Life
. . . for in Him we live and move and exist . . . (Acts 17:28).
The normal Christian life isn't the norm for many Christians. The key to experiencing the victorious Christian life is not new -- it's as old as the New Testament. By letting Christ express His life through us, moment-by-moment, we experience the overcoming, abundant life that Jesus spoke of in John 10:10.
Experiencing normal Christianity through the week yields such a sweet, intimate, relationship with God that we don't attend worship services to get recharged, but to pour out our overflowing worship and praise to the Lord (Psalm 23:5).
Many Christians have taken the independent, do-it-yourself exit off God's "freeway." This explains why many Christians experience routine or perhaps defeated lives. It explains everything from the so-called male mid-life crisis to depression, sheer boredom to anxiety attacks, passivity to dominance, abrasiveness to passivity, the workaholic to the sofa spud, legalism to hedonism, perfectionism to slovenliness, etc. These are manifestations of living in the clutches of human flesh. Jesus Christ is the only One who ever lived the Christian life and by trusting Him to express His life through us, by faith, we experience the Christian life as God intends.
How much faith did you place in self to acquire salvation? None. Then why do you trust in your ability, talent, strength, charisma, education, intellect, beautiful earthsuit, even spiritual gifts, to live the life that you acquired by faith? Oh, the folly of such independent living (see Gal. 3: 2-3)! Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). Jesus is not a life, He didn't set the curve for a life-style, He didn't leave some principles by which to live -- His Life! For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed . . ." (Colossians 3:3-4).
Here is God's definition of eternal life: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we beheld and our hands handled, concerning the Word of Life-and the life was manifested, and we have seen and bear witness and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was manifested to us (1 John 1:1-2 My Emphases). The eternal life you seek isn't a mere extension of your old, sinful, Adamic life. Christ is the eternal life you have acquired if you're born anew. Eternal Life is a Person, not an "it", or a phenomenon or a set of values. And wonder of wonders, this Person, who is Himself Eternal Life, is to express His life through you, by faith, as you present yourself to God as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).
This is not so much to be understood as to be believed and acted upon. There is so much more to your salvation than a guaranteed heaven. Living the Christian life is experienced via using the same faith by which you were saved. It is experiencing a moment-by-moment, intimate, personal relationship with Christ who indwells you -- living "in vital union with [Him]" (Colossians 2:6 T, TLB). In addition to trusting Christ as Savior and Lord, God wishes that you would trust Christ as life through you to face each day for you. God says it like this in Galatians 3:1,3: You foolish [Christian], who has bewitched you? . . . Having begun by the Spirit [God's power and grace, by faith], are you now being perfected by the flesh [depending upon your own resources -- human effort]?
For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life . . . (Colossians 3:3-4). This is not Paul's philosophy of life, gang. This is God speaking to you. God Himself is the Source at work through Paul (Romans 15:18). God says your life is "hidden." You must see this via your spiritual eyes, by faith. For years I knew I would die embracing my faith in Christ, but I never knew I was to live by that same faith in Him.
If you need more understanding, ask God: "Sir, if there is something here that I need to understand, show it to me. I'm not simply curious. I want to know so I can have a better relationship with You."
The cross that ended the earthly life of Jesus now puts an end to the sinner; and the power that raised Christ from the dead now raises him...to a new life along with Christ - A. W. Tozer
Focus for the day:
Your "darkened mind" has been replaced with the very "mind of Christ" (I Corinthians 2:16). You are now able to receive and understand spiritual truths.
Verse to remember:
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (John 14:26).
Question to consider:
What is your definition of "believe?" Remember, even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19). Is mere intellectual agreement sufficient? What more is needed?