Christ in Me

Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ — to the glory and praise of God.  Philippians 1:11

From Guest Blogger Colin Proft:

For much of my Christian walk I have struggled with feeling like I’m supposed to produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit through my own strength. Shouldn’t I be ever-increasing in “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control” (Galatians 5:22)? Yes. Absolutely! But the reason for such a change is not due to my own effort! It’s because of Who lives inside me.

In Colossians 2:9-10, we read: “In Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness.” Earlier, Paul simply stated, “Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7).

Stop trying to produce fruit in and of yourself. Just abide in the Vine. Abide in Christ. Be rooted and built up in Him. He is the Cornerstone of the spiritual temple, the Head of the Christian body, and the Spiritual Rock from which we drink from in the desert (1 Peter 2:4-6, Colossians 2:19, 1 Corinthians 10:4).

Worship leader and song writer Tim Timmons frequently talks about when he was a “Varsity Squad” Christian — he read the Bible faithfully, prayed, tithed and led worship for many years; in short, he was doing everything he was “supposed” to do. Yet, when these truths of Scripture began to dawn on him, it completely changed his perspective on what it meant to follow Jesus.

I pray we all discover the incredible meaning of, “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). Jesus Christ, the risen Son of God, lives in us. What would happen if we really lived that way?

“Christ in Me”

by Tim Timmons

The same great light that broke the dark

The same great peace that calmed the seas, hallelujah, is living in me

The same great love that gives us breath

The same great power that conquered death, hallelujah, is flowing through me

And what, what if I believed in Your power and I really lived it?

What, what if I believed Christ in me, what if I believed?

I would lay my worries down, see these hills as level ground.

What if I believed, Christ in me?

Tim Timmons singing "Christ in Me"

Prayer: Lord, help me abide in You and know that Your power is at work in my weakness. Amen.


#Uncommon

We Have a Right!

“Be devoted to one another in love.  Honor one another above yourself.”  Romans 12:10

From Guest Blogger Kathleen Lane:

“I demand my rights!” “Don’t shove me around!” “I’m not going to let anyone step all over me!” Have you heard comments like that?  It is the common way of the world to be concerned with our own rights. Even within the church power struggles can arise as each person focuses on what he/she considers his/her own rights and privileges, without regard for the rights and concerns of others.

But God has called us to a transformed, uncommon way of life. Instead of being concerned with “number 1,” we are called to be devoted to one another and to put others first. That means, in Christ, my rights take a back seat to the rights, desires, and concerns of others.

The Greek word translated “be devoted” in this passage, refers to a special kind of love, the kind of “tender affection” members of a family have for one another.  Christians are called to love one another — to honor one another — because we are members of one family.

We are all members of God’s family because of Christ’s devotion to us. He gave up His place and power so that we could have a place in the family. He humbled Himself to be born of a woman, born under the law to redeem us that we might receive the full rights of sons and daughters (Galatians 4:4-5). There was no power struggle — only humility and devoted love.

Having rights as God’s sons and daughters, being loved by Him, transforms us to humbly devote ourselves to others and to honor them. We can look at the person beside us with the eyes of God seeing her as someone worth our love and honor, simply because she is placed there by God. In God’s family, we have the right and privilege to serve others and to give, rather than receive, honor and recognition.

Reflect on the “rights” you have as God’s child.

How can you humbly honor others in your family?  In your workplace?  In your neighborhood?  In your church?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have honored us above Yourself. Though we are not worthy, You have given us full rights as God’s children. Lead us to use those rights in loving and honoring others. Amen.


#Uncommon