
To me, to live is Christ.
Philippians 1:21.
There are really only two objectives that Christians can have for their life. For the first one let us consider the apostle Paul.
He could summarize his life in a single word: “Christ”. He committed himself devotedly and restlessly to the Lord’s service. He sought to lead people to the Saviour. However, the content of his life was not the service he carried out, but Jesus Christ Himself. Everything centred in the Son of God, who had died on the cross out of love for him. Paul found all his joy and fulfilment in Christ. He denied himself and submitted fully to the Lord’s will, and was content to do so. His greatest wish was that the Lord Jesus might be glorified by his life.
The second objective is mentioned by Paul in Philippians 2, v. 21: “All seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.” This, too, can be expressed by a single word: egotism. It may to outward appearances be decent enough. It may even produce a lot of activity for the Lord. But it is self that is at the centre. One considers oneself important and gives one’s own interests prime place. Then Jesus Christ does not have the first place in our lives and we shall never be truly happy as Christians on earth.
Do we wish to live for ourselves or put ourselves totally at the Lord’s disposal, so that He can bring about what is pleasing to Him in our life?