No other New Testament writer speaks on the theme of Christian living more than Paul. In his letters he highlights life and death principles to a life lived in Christ. Contemplating these things will help us keep our focus on a Christ centered life. “Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Heb. 12:2).
Paul teaches that we need to die to self. We can be our own worst enemy if our focus is self-centered and not on Jesus. “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me” (Gal. 2:20). We need to die to sin. The Hebrew author says, “let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us” (Heb. 12:1). Sin is a great weight in our spiritual marathon. “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it?” (Rom. 6:1-2). We need to die to the world and its fleshly pleasures. “But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Gal. 6:14). We need to mature to the point that the physical world around us would not distract us from our spiritual reward in heaven. The life of a Christian isn’t all about death.
Paul talks specifically about what it means to live in Christ. “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Eph. 1:3). Our spiritual sphere is in Christ. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal. 3:27). We must also live with Christ. “At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me… and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth” (2 Tim. 4:16-17). Paul lets us know that we are not alone in our service to God. Christ is with us if we are with Him. We must also live for Him. “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve” (Col. 3:23-24). All we do is for Him and His glory.
With these simple concepts we can be reminded as to how to keep our lives centered. We are pulled in so many different directions. There are distractions around every turn but, we don’t have to take the bait. Keep looking ahead, keep your heart looking up, and keep your feet moving forward.