To live is Christ

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English: Icon of Jesus Christ
English: Icon of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Paul said, “to live is Christ.” In four syllables he explained the why and the what for his earthly existence.
  • Why was he living? Christ.
  • What was his point for living? Christ.
How would you answer that question. Fill in the blank. “For me to live is ____________.” What would you say? Whatever you place in the blank will do the following four things for you.
  1. It will govern how you think about your present circumstances.
  2. It will direct how you respond to your present circumstances.
  3. It will control how you navigate through your present circumstances.
  4. It will set the course for and the outcome of your future.
You could think of whatever you placed in the blank as the foundation upon which your life will be built. Everybody has a “to live is __________” presupposition. We are all defined by something. This makes thinking about the thing that drives us an important matter.
Your world view is the thing that shapes how you will think about and respond to the people and events in your life. For Paul, it was Christ. The LORD Jesus was the filter through which Paul gazed upon the traffic in his personal universe.
Because his purpose for living was Christ, there was a predetermined outcome in place–Paul was guaranteed biblical success. The same is true for you and me. I’m not saying your future will be biblically successful; I’m saying your future is predetermined. Whether you experience a satisfying future is dependent on your purpose for living.
  • If your blank says, “to live is Christ” then your predetermined future will be soul-satisfying.
  • If your blank is filled with anything other than Christ, then your future will not be satisfying.
Do not be deceived about this matter; there is only one right answer: to live must be Christ or your life will unfold in ever-increasing disappointment and dissatisfaction

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