"Christ Our Life." Someone has said, "Life is what you are alive to." It is evident the dynamic of the Apostle Paul's life was Jesus Christ. Writing to the believers at Colosse he says, "When Christ, who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" Chapter 3 verse 4. Thirty years earlier the life of the risen Christ entered the heart of Saul of Tarsus while travelling on the Damascus road. He passed from death to life in an instant. Thereafter his redeemed and sanctified heart throbbed in resurrection life. The Lord was everything to Paul. He said, "I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians chapter 2 verse 20. Again he said, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." Philippians 1 verse 21. The heart of Christian living is the life of Christ in the heart. Writing now to the believers in Colosse, Paul employs the possessive adjective "our" when he speaks of the indwelling life of Christ. He is the believers vibrant life. 1. He is our life as Divine Power. Just prior to the ascension of the risen Christ he spoke these words, "Tarry in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." Luke 24 verse 49. Some days later he said, "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me...unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1 verse 8. The waiting disciples experienced a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Their hearts were purified by fire and their lives were filled with the supernatural power of God. What was it which gave them such undying zeal in the face of the fiercest opposition? The risen life of Christ as Divine Power. 2. He is our life as Divine Pattern. Yes the life of Jesus Christ is a God given pattern for all living. How did he live in a sinful world? a. He confronted Satan with purity. John 14 verse 30 Jesus said, "The prince of this world cometh and hath nothing in me." He could make such a statement on the basis of his sinless life. Holy hearts and lives are God's mightiest instruments today in the battle against the powers of darkness. b. He responded to the Father with Obedience. Jesus said, "I do always those things which please my Father." "I came not to do my own will but the will of him that sent me." These and many other such verses of Scripture reveal the submissive and responsive life of Jesus Christ to his Father. Like wise if he is the Pattern for living then there must be subjection to the perfect will of God in each life. Indeed disobedience to God's revealed will for the life is equated with witchcraft, and stubbornness is akin to idolatry. 1 Samuel 15 verse 23. God says, "Obey my voice and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people." Praise God it is not irksome to do the will of the Lord when the heart is in tune with God. The Saviour walked the pathway of obedience and he expects his followers to do the same. c. He viewed the world with compassion. Matthew the gospel writer records these words, "When Jesus saw the multitudes he was moved with compassion." Matthew 9 verse 36. As he looked on the rich young ruler Mark says, "Jesus beholding him, loved him." Mark 10 verse 21. It was his love for you and me which moved him to go all the way to Calvary and give his life as an offering and sacrifice for your sin and mine. Paul, the apostle says, "He loved me and gave himself for me." Galatians 2 verse 20. But the same Paul also says, "The love of Christ constraineth me." What to do? To go and seek the lost for Jesus Christ. Have you a love filled heart for the souls of men and women without the Saviour? Is the love of God flowing through you ? This is the nature of the Christ filled heart. d. He faced the cross with sacrifice. It costs to go through with God. It cost the Saviour everything. Great numbers have laid down their lives in spreading the message of salvation. The Calvary road opens up before every yielded life. Christ's disciples are called to forsake the world, take up the cross, and follow the Master. Let me lose my life and find it Lord in thee, May all self be slain my friends see only thee, Though it cost me grief and pain I shall find my life again, Let me lose my life and find it Lord in thee. . If you would like spiritual counsel and feel you would like to talk to our pastor then click HERE to e-mail him directly. Written for this website by Rev. E. Stewart. Due to be updated: end June Archived Messages. 30/01/04 Being Faithful. 27/12/03 Advent Prediction. 11/10/03 Watchman - Guilty or Guiltless? 14/05/03 An epoch making day. 20/04/03 All hail the risen Lord. 22/03/03 Heart Cry for Revival. 02/01/03 The Church of the Open Door. 02/12/02 The River of Blessing. 01/09/02 The Revelation of the River. 04/05/02 The Greatest Watershed in History. 29/01/02 Knowing and doing the Will of God. 22/11/01 Things Which Cannot Be Shaken. 07/07/01 The Soulwinner's conflict 24/04/01 The Divine Dividend 17/03/01 The Move That Made The Difference 10/01/01 Marching On In The Will of God 15/12/00 Christmas Message 07/10/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (2) 15/09/00 The Inheritance of Divine Fullness (1) 28/07/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (4) 15/06/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (3) 07/05/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (2) 09/04/00 Prerequisites To Divine Fullness (1) 22/04/00 Easter Message