Sometimes I wonder if we just believe to get to heaven. In that case, we see faith as an insurance policy. We repent and become forgiven citizens of heaven but then we go back to live like we always used to do. But that’s not what Jesus wants us to do, is it? Faith is lived in Christ. Not away from Christ.

Faith is meant to be so much more than an insurance policy for the afterlife. [And I am not saying being saved and getting to heaven is not a great thing. It sure is!] But if you only believe for the sake of the afterlife you’re seriously missing out. Because God did not just create us and save us, he also wants to empower us for victorious living.

So do not just repent enough to be saved, but surrender your everything to be changed inside out. Because that’s the way to live abundantly in Christ. Anything we can cook up on our own pales in comparison to life in Christ. Truly.

I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Gal. 2:20, AMP,*)

Faith is lived in Christ

I urge you to lay down your own plans and surrender your everything to Christ. I used to wonder how on earth Jeremiah the prophet accepted and was faithful to his calling it continually being so difficult. Yet in faithfully doing what God asked him to do, his life was filled with meaning that he could never otherwise have achieved. Picking up our cross every day leads to spiritual blessings we are unaware of otherwise.

Faith is lived in Christ. We don’t just get a bit of grace and then run to live on our own. Instead, we are called to live our entire lived in Christ, with Christ, for Christ. This can sound crazy but it is the most blessed thing, the most awesome thing ever. Despite difficulties. Even if our life is as hard as Jeremiah’s.

Too often we decide we don’t want to surrender our whole lives to Jesus and we are satisfied with less. But aren’t you curious about what this glorious life in Christ could be? I hope so. Because I am. And I invite you to explore faith lived in Christ with me.

Dear God,
We want to be truly yours so we surrender to you,
may your will happen in and through our lives.
We give to you ourselves, our lives, our everything.
Use us for your glory and to bless our neighbors.
Show us how we can live our entire lives in Christ,
enjoying you from here to eternity.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: Do you live in Christ?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you keep on surrendering to God and letting God change you and lead you!

Photo by William Farlow on Unsplash.