MTV Cribs

Philippians 1:21 “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain”

Unless you have lived under rock for your entire life, then there is a good chance that you have heard or said at least one of these statements: “My job is my life”, “I live for the weekends”, “My kids are my life”, or “My life would be complete if I won the lottery”. We even watch television shows like “MTV Cribs” to catch a glimpse of the so-called “abundant life” and wonder what it would be like if we lived in such abundance. For some reason our society believes that the “abundant life” is attained through high paying jobs, vacations, nice homes, nice cars, 2.5 kids and a pet. We can either buy into society’s false view of the abundant life, never truly attaining it, or we can listen to words of Paul in Philippians, apply them to our life, and live in the abundance of Christ.

What does the statement “For me to live is Christ” mean to you? It is a very easy verse to remember and quote, but how easy is it to live? The word “live” is translated from the Greek word “zao”. Zao means to abundantly live life. The same word is used in John 10:10 were Christ says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” The only way to live an abundant life is to live a life for Jesus Christ. Abundance of life is not measured by how much you HAVE in your life, but by how much of your life that you GIVE to Christ. If we are to apply this verse to our lives then we must allow Christ access and rule over every aspect of our lives without restriction or hesitation. “For me to live is Christ” means placing Christ on the throne of your life, which is exactly were He belongs. But Christ can’t sit on the throne of your life if you are already sitting in that place of authority. We need to get out of His seat, let Him be the ruler, and take our rightful place as servants. An easy way to determine if you are living a life for Christ or living a life for self, is to honestly answer these questions: Is my life productive for Jesus Christ? How effective have I been in, not only proclaiming, but also living the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Am I living the purpose that God has for my life? Is my life producing fruit for Christ? Am I satisfied with my service to Christ? Can I honestly say, “For me to live is Christ”? For Paul, loving Christ and living for Christ were the only reasons worth living. What gives worth to your life? Is it Jesus Christ? We can live an “abundant life” if we live a life that serves Christ and not self. Allow Christ to take his rightful place on the throne of your life and experience the only true “abundant life”. The “abundant life” of a servant of Christ is clearly expressed by the words of Paul in Ephesians 3:14-21. This is the life in which you and I are to aspire.

Ephesians 3:14-21 “For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.”

Abundance is not gained through the authority, power, riches, or glory that we seek in this world. Abundance is only gained through the bowed knees of a humble servant by faith in the riches of His glory, the power of His Spirit, the limitlessness boundaries of His love, and the sufficiency of His grace. Live the "abundant life"; Submit your life Christ, living to serve Him.