Alive in Christ

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21

“To live is Christ” means that we are willing to give up anything that prevents us from having Christ. Paul’s testimony in this regard: “Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him” (Philippians 3:7-9). We cling to the promise of our Lord in (Mark 10:29-30) that our sacrifices for Jesus’ sake will be repaid a hundredfold.

“To live is Christ” means that Christ is our focus, our goal, and our chief desire. Christ is the centre point of our mind, heart, body and soul. Everything that we do, we do for Christ’s glory. As we run the “race marked out for us,” we lay aside the entangling sin and worldly distractions, “fixing our eyes on Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). He is our life.

Paul knew that the benefits of believing in Christ are far beyond anything the mortal mind can conceive. He described a glorious existence that skeptics could never imagine. Through Jesus, we experience a new dimension. We have eternal life and can experience something supernatural: resurrection!

In Christ, we are no longer dead in our sins. We are made alive. More than just renewed, we are invigorated by His spiritual power.

At times we may feel weary, discouraged, tired, confused or uncertain and we can face problems that seem insurmountable, or obstacles that seem impossible to overcome? No matter what is going on, remember that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Every enemy already has been defeated. Because of what Christ has done, you really can experience His resurrection power!

1 Jesus, your boundless love to me

no thought can reach, no tongue declare;

dwell in my heart eternally,

and reign without a rival there.

O Jesus, nothing may I do, 

but seek my joy in serving you.

2 O grant that nothing in my soul

may dwell but your pure love alone;

oh, may your love possess me whole,

my joy, my treasure, and my crown!

All coldness from my heart remove;

my ev'ry act, word, thought, be love.

3 This love unwearied I pursue

and dauntlessly to you aspire;

oh, may your love my hope renew,

burn in my soul like heav'nly fire!

And day and night be all my care

to guard this sacred treasure there.

4 In suff'ring be your love my peace,

in weakness be your love my pow'r;

and when the storms of life shall cease,

O Jesus, in that final hour,

be then my rod and staff and guide

And draw me safely to your side. 

Paul Gerhardt Translated by John Wesley