The Christianity I have come to know is all about Christ. The Christianity I knew was all about me and what I could do for Christ. On the outside they may look the same but at the source they are much different. The life of a Christian is a life of deep fellowship and relationship with Christ and His body. Now that we see Christ as our life (singular and plural) He is to be the center (source) instead of ourselves.
I used to look at walking in the spirit as conforming myself to the image of Christ and trying to keep in step with the spirit making sure my life lines up with His. I now realize that is backwards. Seeing now that Christ Himself by His spirit is indwelling my spirit and has become my life has caused me to look at everything differently. I am learning to turn my heart to the Lord with an attentive dependence. Walking in the Spirit is a matter of hearing Him (what He is saying) and seeing Him (what He is doing) in any given circumstance then yielding to His life giving expression to Him. I can take no credit and no glory for any good that comes from me for only He is good. This is precisely how Jesus walked and lived, by the life of the Father.
Living by His life (walking in the spirit) is a day by day and even moment by moment choice. The only reason we can choose Him, choose to turn to Him, is because of this grace in which we now stand. See Romans 5:1-2 Let the Lord search your heart to see if it is still all about you and then no matter what you see about yourself turn to Christ. Remember that the Lord loves us with a matchless love and desires above all else that we know Him in a real sense. There are times that He will show us the true nature of our hearts and we can receive that because we know it isn’t in the context of condemnation. When we see ourselves as we truly are it also helps us to turn to Him more fully relying on Him more completely. This is His work though. Think about how while we were helpless, still sinners, Christ died for us making a way for us to be reconciled to the Father. What a love, what a Christ.
A Favor
This blog will be a continual work in progress as far as the layout, design and features are concerned. Therefore, your feedback is most needed. On that note I ask a few small favors-
1. Let me know what you think of the tooltip bubble I am using for the scripture reference. To see it just hover your mouse over the scripture reference (Romans 5:1-2) located in the last paragraph.
2. What do you think of the floating vertical Social Media Sharebar on the left hand side of the post? Do you like it, is it cool? or is it annoying when trying to read? Be honest.
3. Subscribe to this blog by either entering your e-mail above right or if you use a reader subscribe via RSS.
By the way this is my second post and if you would like to see my first post click here
Thanks a ton!
I love both. The scripture bubble is brilliant and the media thing on the left makes it super easy to find.
I have really enjoyed your first two posts and look forward to more. Fabulous job!
Bridget
Thanks Bridget. I appreciate it. This blog will evolve over time as I have seen yours do as well. I have ideas for a header and many other thoughts. It’s kind of fun to have an outlet for creativity.
I really like the theme, color context. The messages as well. Only constructive critiqing I could add would be the Life of Christ in you has allowed the Life of Christ in me to grow.
Thanks Nate. Christ’s life in you has helped me to see Christ more in my life as well. Let me know if you get an e-mail when I reply to your comment.
Brother Seth
This is very good and very encouraging. Good to know that you have started a blog. You have started a great tool that will affect a lot of lives. and I pray that God’s anointing will be upon you to bring it into completion. Very inspiring.
Love you, brother!
Darol
Darol,
Thanks for stopping by the blog. Your comment is encouraging. I desire to share more and express more of what I am experiencing of Christ with the saints here where we live. I have taken a short break from posting anything due to just having our baby. I will let you know when more posts are uploaded or if you get a chance please subscribe to future posts by submitting your e-mail in the upper right hand side and any new posts will be sent to you automatically.
“to know Him,” those words amplify in our hearts in one resounding voice!
Brother, I thought I had read this post before, but now I don’t remember. I’ve read it now (again, possibly?), and it is beautiful. This would be a great post for the “What I’ve Learned” series.
Love you, brother, and keep the scripture bubble (how do you do that?) and side bar; they are great enhancements to the site.
R.C.,
Thanks for your comment. I took what you said as inspiration for today’s post. http://straightplow.com/organic-church-life/turning-to-the-lord-a-the-true-source-of-the-christian-life
Pingback: Turning to the Lord as True Source | StraightPlow.com
Seth,
Great post brother! The shift you have described is huge. My favorite line is this:
“The life of a Christian is a life of deep fellowship and relationship with Christ and His body.”
What an awesome thing it is to be free from trying to live up to our preconcieved expectations of Christ, to simply fellowship and know Him in our inner man. Christ is our oasis after a long journey through the desert.
Love you brother, thx for writing.
P.S. I like the layout and the features. I primarily use an ipad, so the floating share buttons don’t show up on my screen.
Jamal,
I admit I think that was my favorite line too as I was rereading it today. It is so good to know such a wonderful loving Lord and be in deep fellowship with those who share that same love with Him.
You are always a blessing.
Seth
P.S. Another really great film I saw recently that is on Netflix is “The Last Three Days” with Russel Crowe. I think you will enjoy it and can definitely see Christ in it.
Awesome brother! Great encouragement and great reminder of Him and His life at work in us.
Two phrases stick out most to me:
“I can take no credit and no glory for any good that comes from me because only He is good.” Amen!
“When we see ourselves as we truly are it also helps us to turn to Him more fully relying on Him more completely.” Even when the true nature of our hearts are shown to us, it is still about Him. We still look to Him and not ourselves. What a blessing to be free from ourselves and free in His love for us.
Thanks for sharing brother!
Shea
Shea,
Thank you for commenting. You are always an encouragement in the Lord. You have such a passion for Christ. Your just “being” in Him encourages the body.
“The Christianity I have come to know is all about Christ. The Christianity I knew was all about me and what I could do for Christ” – I love this statement… it is the sum of what our faith is all about. thanks for writing, cheers Graeme