1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 NKJV
I'm not quite sure if it relates, but not so long ago there was something in christian circles which became known as Christ centered living. In this philosophy, christians would live a life closely resembling that of jesus while following His commandments. It sounds pretty simple when one thinks about it. I mean, what christian wouldn't want to live as closely to how Jesus lived? Isn't this how the disciples lived with the Lord while He walked among them? Each day these men would live, eat and breathe the gospel and teachings of Jesus. It was, if you will, the perfect training ground. THIS is the tenant of Christ centered living, to live as closely to Jesus as we can. However, what if I were to tell you that we already have that closeness to our Lord Jesus? We do not need a Christ centered living or any other christian teaching gimmick in order to realize this. In fact, there's not even a boring video or seminar for us to go through. Could it really be that easy? Well, one look at 1 Corinthians 6:19 will provide us with the evidence we need to come to the realization that, yes, we can live in union with Jesus. In this passage, the apostle Paul reveals two important truths we need to know. For "We are not our own" and we were "Bought at a price." I can see those blank looks already. trust me, the truth of living in union with Jesus can at times be a difficult truth to comprehend. It was for me. How could we, sinners that we are, live in union with our sinless, spotless savior? That's where we get off track.
"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."
Galations 2:20 NKJV
The moment we begin to think that we remain sinners at our very core, we invalidate the gift that Jesus gave us when He died on that cross. For the death that Christ died was not a tempoary fix to our sin issue. No, Jesus gave His life willingly so that we would not have that punishment hovering over us.
For he who has died has been freed from sin. Now, if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him. For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God. Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6: 7-11 NKJV
I know that this may be revolutionary thinking to most christians, but Jesus has already cleansed our sins at the cross, there is no longer any need for us to seek our Lords forgiveness. Yet, many continue to do just that when they inevitably fall short of how they feel they should behave. Now, just because Jesus has cleansed our sins past, present and future doesn't mean that we won't continue to fall short. Yet, when we do we have assurance that the sacrafice of our Lord has indeed covered our iniquities. One look at Romans 6:10 will reveal the gift given by our Lord, "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all." There are no do overs for what Christ accomplished, one trip to the cross took care of it all. The apostle Paul makes no distinction here of just who Jesus died for other than He died "Once for all." I take that to mean for all of Gods creation, for all who accept His free gift.
The "Price" that was paid for us in First Corinthians 6:19 was all accomplished by Jesus. He not only cleansed our sin debt, but we were "purchased" once and for all by his sacrafice. We need not worry about living a Christ centered life, for with His death Jesus came to dwell within us. And if our Lord Jesus is indeed living in us, then we today are living "As Christ." Every breath we make, every step we take we do as Jesus.
~Scott~
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