A Christian Life

By Cho-Yi Wang

	If we Christians love our lives, then, first and foremost, we must love our God, for He is the source and creator of all things.  Queen Elizabeth in her final words said, "I would give up all I have in exchange for one more moment of time."  As in Mark 8:37, " Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?"

	A Christian life is not just to imitate the life of Christ, but most importantly to build our life on Christ.  In doing so we will be in union with Christ, i.e. Christ in us and we in Christ.  A fallen leaf gets drifted downstream helplessly while a little fish would defy gravity striving to swim upstream.  The difference is that there is life in the fish and none in the leaf.   By the same token, a Christian who is God-loving, God-dependent, and Christ-centered is just like that little fish.  Because of the spirit of Christ dwelling in him, he will not be impacted by the earthly desires but will stand fast to overcome any hurdles in his pursuit of a righteous life.    Life of a Christian can be measured by how he lives.  If there is love, there is life in him.  Love without life is nothing but an emotional exercise, and life without love is a life without aim.  A Christian life is more than just doing daily chores such as eating or wearing clothes.  He must live a Christ-centered lifestyle to have a life. Our body, the blood, or flesh is mortal, only the spirit of Christ that dwells in us is eternal.  There are different forms of life on earth, and each has its own unique attributes, such as a cat looking for mouse as prey and a dog keeping intruders away from the master's door.  Accordingly, believers who have the spirit of Christ in them will act in likeness of our Lord Jesus Christ.

	We may resort to education, public opinions and laws to restraint our sinful nature.  However, the most effective way to prevent sinful acts is to live a Christ-centered life, a life that reflects Christ's character.  

	The testimony of a Christian is not just confined to what he says. His way of life carries profound messages as well.  The African natives remembered a white man named Livingston. To date, they would still express joy when they talk about Livingston despite the fact that they did not understand his language when he was with them.  In their hearts they feel the pulse of life associated with Christian love that Livingston brought to them.   
To a Christian, the loss of honor is far greater than the loss of wealth, but a life devoid of indwelling spirit of Christ is a loss of everything.  

	When we have life through Jesus Christ, we will live in a holy and glorified manner.  To that end we must know the truth of God and submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit.  Don't be like a newborn baby who can only drink milk and not the solid food.  He is given an earthly life but is not mature enough to pursuit the heavenly things.

	Life may seem elusive, untouchable, and vague to many.  But it is real and can be felt.  Although we cannot examine the life like we do an object, yet we can recognize it by our feelings.  For instance when a Christian sins, he would feel awful, uneasy, and the loss of joy in being united with Christ.  Because God hates sins, a Christian is naturally keen to sins.  Such feeling is a demonstration that he has life. 

	Jesus' resurrection is a fact.  He is the source of life.  In order to redeem us, he gave up his heavenly throne by humbly lowering himself to become a mortal body like us.   He is the creator of all things.  He is not confined by space or time.  Because He is God, He cannot be stopped by the stone of the grave.  He exists in times past, present, and future.     Where is He?  He lives inside those whose heart and soul have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.  
	Jesus is constantly knocking at the door wanting to enter into the hearts of those who are humble and meek and are willing to open their hearts to him.  If the Spirit of God is inside you, then you belong to the Spirit and not to the flesh.  Our mortal bodies, flesh and blood, are destined to die because of sins. Our souls will live because of righteousness from God.  However, the Spirit that resurrected our Lord will raise us from death because that Spirit is in us (Romans 8:9-11).   After resurrection, He first appeared to Peter, and then to His disciples and five hundred people (1Corinthians15: 5-6). 

	Thank you Lord, you are omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.