What’s the difference between living FOR Christ and living WITH Christ? Let’s see…

What does it mean to live for Christ? Paul told us in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.” But, it’s not like going to the Captain’s tent and receiving orders, then going away and carrying out those orders on our own. It’s more like the Captain telling us to walk with Him and be a participant in what He is doing. Let’s take a page out of Jesus’ life and how He interacted with the Father,

¹⁷ Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.”
¹⁹ So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. John 5:17, 19-20

Jesus was completely reliant on the Father and the Spirit for everything. Their communication was constant and complete. We might say, “Well, He’s God in the flesh; of course He can do that!” Yet, Jesus said that we are to be the same way,

⁵ “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain [abide] in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

It still sounds impossible, doesn’t it? It helps if we consider ourselves in training. We are being trained in righteousness through godly living. God is intent on making us holy, “And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth” (John 17:19). Understanding that we are always in His presence, and His presence in us is what gives us joy, peace, and conviction of sin in our lives along with the promise and steps to victory over it. As He reveals things about ourselves to us, we have an opportunity to repent, turning away from those things that bind us, deceive us, or trap us in “chasing the dragon*” and turning to Christ for life, love, and the next right step.

Are you ready for that close of a relationship with Jesus? Were you aware that we can even HAVE that close of a relationship with Him? He desires it; let’s take Him up on it!

Abba, the sheer fact that You live in us is evidence that You want a personal, ongoing relationship with us. If you can “barely tolerate us”, then I don’t believe that You would have gone to the trouble to make it so You could live in us. You went through the Incarnation, the Cross, the Grave, the Resurrection, the Ascension, and Pentecost in order to dwell in us! Thank You, Jesus, for loving us so much!!! Amen.

*”Chasing the Dragon” is a term used by drug addicts who, having had a wonderful first experience, chase after that high, which they can rarely reproduce. The only way to get it is to increase the dosage, which can lead to an overdose. Cravings for power, sex, gambling, thrills, and other “vices” follow the same pattern; they always lead to the craving for more.