A New Relationship, Part 3 (Onward Christian Soldier #77)

In our recent lessons, we have talked about one of the greatest secrets of the Christian life. The secret is this: Christ lives in us. The Apostle Paul called this a great mystery. He wrote to the Colossian Christians, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory." 
 
Is the Christian life trying to be good? No. Is it trying to imitate another good Christian? No. Is it trying to imitate the Lord Jesus Himself? No, the Christian life is none of these things. What is the Christian life then? It is Christ living His life in us.
 
The Apostle Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ." He did not say, "For me to live is to try to be like Christ." What he is really saying is, "For me to live is to have Christ living His life in me."
 
Then, how do we live the Christian Life? We live it by trusting the Lord Jesus to live His life in us. Instead of our trying to live the Christian life, we let Him live His life out through us. His life is always pleasing to the Father. He said, "I always do those things that please Him."

The Lord Jesus has not changed. He is still the same Person, and He wants to live His life through us. He will do this as we trust Him. The Lord says, "I am the Vine, you are the branches." We do not have to try to make ourselves branches, we are branches forever joined to Him in a living union.
 
As we live day by day, we must count on the fact that we are one with Christ. Remember, faith in our standing makes it real in our life. This means that, as we count on the fact that we are in Christ and He is in us, we receive the power to live as a child of God should live.

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