Pastor Jim Johnson recently did a five lesson Bible study at our church. Since I was unable to get there every night, Scott brought home the CDs and I have been listening to them over the past few weeks.

I love how God’s Word is like a blooming rose, revealing more and more beauty as it opens. I don’t think I will ever stop being fascinated by how verses I have read countless times always provide me with new insight into who God is and how He wants me to live.  One of the statements that Jim made was one of those times when God revealed a truth to me that I had not caught before. Or maybe it is a truth that I have known all along, but it has been lost in the “churchyness” that we, as believers, can sometimes get bogged down in. Here is what he said (my paraphrase)…

We are not called to go out into the world and be like Christ. We are called to go out into the world and have Christ live through us.

As Phillipians 4:13 states, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We throw that verse around so often, that I think we forget exactly what it means. It is through Christ that we are able to complete what He has set forth for us to accomplish. If Christ is not the driving force in what we are doing, we will fail. It may not be an immediate failure, but you can be sure that you will encounter unnecessary frustrations along the way.  However, when we abide in Him, just as Jesus said, then we will bear much fruit. And he continues on in John15:5 to say that, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” And while he promises a challenging road ahead as we follow Him, He is able to handle our trials and give us victory as we allow him to live through us.

In an age where we are swallowed up by lengthy ‘to do’ lists and hectic schedules, it is easy to forget to lay our lives at the foot of the cross and seek God and His strength to live a holy life that glorifies Him through our service to others.

God has laid a “project” on my heart, and I know that I cannot do it in my own strength. I don’t have the stamina, the patience, the knowledge, or follow-through to complete it on my own. I thank God that He does, and I am praying that I will daily remember to allow Jesus to live through me- because I will never be able to live like Him!