We all know that when we come to
the saving knowledge of the truth of the Gospel, and truly repent and believe,
we are converted.
God moves into our heart by His
Spirit and He makes all things new (2 Corinthians 1:22). He never leaves nor
forsakes us and walks with us through every moment of our life (Hebrews 13:5).
However, few people realize the
purpose for our complete immersion in Christ inside and out. We treat Him like
our personal genie to grant all of our wishes.
At conversion, the life which we
now live in this human body is experienced through the faith of the Son of God
who loves us and gave Himself as a ransom for us (Galatians 2:20).
Jesus and I are not separate
beings, but a sanctifying immersion of us as one entity (John 17:21-22),
walking in God's Spirit and doing only those things for which God created us
(Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 5:15-25).
We gradually submit our will,
goals and plans for our life to His purpose for us. We no longer live for our
pleasure or pursuits, but for His Kingdom and by the direction of His Spirit.
We are an expression of Christ in
this world, doing His will in every facet of our existence at home, work and
play. He flows from His river of life within us (John 4:14).
This new life does not depend on
us, except for our submission and obedience (Philippians 2:12-13). It is all by
His Spirit within us (Galatians 3:1-3).
However, once we fall in love
with Jesus we want nothing more than to obey His Word and to walk in His
Spirit.
Wherever we go and whatever we do we have the opportunity to draw
everyone to Christ or to repulse them by our words and behavior.
If Christ is in us, shining
through us, we exhibit His way, truth and life (Colossians 1:27; John 14:6). He
is the light shining into the darkness all around us. He serves the lost
world through us and uses us as a difference maker.
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for giving
us Your Son and Spirit and for giving us a new life, devoid of sinful and
selfish pursuits and focused entirely on You and Your Kingdom. We accept this
wondrous gift, offered from Your heart of compassion toward us as sinners (Romans
5:8).
Thank You for working in us and
giving us both the desire and the ability to want nothing more in life than to
live for Your pleasure (Philippians 2:12-13). We trust You entirely with our
life; and at the time of our death, we are assured that to be absent from this
body is to be immediately present with You in Your eternal Kingdom (2
Corinthians 5:8).
Thought for the Day:
God raised us up to sit with
Christ in heavenly places now as well as in eternity; it is no longer we who
live, but Christ who lives in and through us; Christ is our whole life.
- Ephesians 2:6, 3:3-4
