GIVE YOUR CHRIST TO LIFE

Over the weekend, I was on the phone with a friend and while discussing about the importance of witnessing to people in our environment, he was of the opinion that we don’t always have to witness with words; our daily and even routine actions can daily point to Jesus. Before I could get a word in, he said “Most of the people that have come to talk with me about God did not come to me because I said ‘give your Christ to life…” The former me would have jumped and pointed out   the error as it should be "give your life to Christ", not "give your Christ to life" (it is sort of a game we play); but almost immediately, the error made sense- “give your Christ to life”.

Let's do as Jesus would have us.

Someone has said that for some people, the Christians they interact with on a daily basis will be the only Bible they get to read. What wonderful privilege our Father has given us to be the letter of Christ written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart! Unfortunately, we botch the job sometimes.

How many times have I botched the job myself? Running my mouth when silence would have been the best answer; keeping quiet when I should have stood up for what I truly believed in; choosing to stay neutral and politically correct at critical, defining moments…ad infinitum.

While we cannot change our history, the future is still within our grip. So brethren and ‘sisthren’, let us take up the challenge today, tomorrow, this week, this month, this year and for as long as we live by the grace of God. Give your Christ to life. 

You remember that it is said “by their fruits, ye shall know them”. I know we argue that it is not about what you do on the outside but the state of your heart. True. Very true. Nevertheless, what we do on the outside is sometimes a reflection of what is going on inside. After all, out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Personally, I have found out that if for example, I get really upset because I feel someone has wronged me and I tell myself that I won’t quarrel with the person but i continue to stew over the incident, rehearsing witty sarcastic remarks that I would have said or done, if only I wasn’t a Christian, it is only a matter of time before I actually say it- and regret my actions.

Recently, I believe that the Spirit of God is calling my attention to certain character traits in me that do not glorify God. Interestingly, one of them includes mentally preparing a ready sharp, remark that will ‘cut to size’ anyone that I feel intends to step on my toes. This may not necessarily be a big deal but my eyes got opened to the fact that this trait is making me a defensive human being who has a ready answer to any question that may want to undermine me. The sobering part is that the root of this kind of behaviour is pride. Simple. There is no other way to brand it and appear less sinful. Now, Jesus wouldn’t do that. Giving my Christ to life definitely does not include pride. Mr/Miss/Mrs ‘I-can-do-no-wrong’ is not giving Christ to life. There is nothing attractive about that.

By the mercies of God, we have given our lives to Christ and so Jesus lives inside us; now let us give our Christ to life. Our Christ will not keep malice, He will not oppress people who are at His mercy (at home and at work), He would completely place His trust in God to supply His needs and answer His prayers, He would politely decline being sucked into office gossip, and importantly, He would constantly remember that while character, integrity and good morals are extremely important, being a Christian goes beyond good behaviour but a deep sense of repentance, belief in the saving Name and Blood of Jesus in that only by grace are we saved through faith, and the desire to please Him daily, all of our days- regardless of mistakes.

We have given our lives to Christ, now can we please give our Christ to life?

Is the Holy Spirit nudging your heart to correct a certain behaviour that aligns Christ with your life? In what other ways can we give our Christ to life?

Have a beautiful week.

Ms. August. 

Picture from adventures of a preacherskid.wordpress.com