"Christ-Centered" - it's a phrase we love to use. It's probably in the mission statement of your church and in the title of a book you own.
But "Christ-Centered" is a lot easier to talk about than to live, isn't it? In the mundane moments of everyday life, a lot of other things compete with Christ for center stage.
Today I want to share four words that have helped mold my understanding of what a Christ-centered life looks like.
1. SOURCE
A Christ-centered life begins with realizing that the source of everything we are is the Lord. He created us, he owns us, he gifted us with talents, he authors our story, and every blessing that we receive comes from him (Gen 1, Acts 17:26, James 1:17)
Additionally, Christ is the source for our daily righteousness. We have no internal desire or moral ability to live up to biblical standards on our own, but in Christ, we have everything we need for godly living (2 Pet 1:3).
2. MOTIVE
A Christ-centered life means that a Person is the motivation for everything we think, say and do. Many of us leave little room for Christ in our Christianity. By that, I mean that our ability to "keep the law" or our pride in historic tradition is what defines our faith, not the person of Jesus.
Is your Christianity intimate and personal? Do you want to know Christ? (Phil 3:10) Do you want to be part of his work? Do you want to please him? Do you want to incarnate his character? A Christ-centered life is deeply intimate and motivated by relationship.
3. GOAL
A Christ-centered life has one ultimate goal: that Jesus gets the glory. It's not wrong to pursue personal goals, but the glory of Christ is the orienting compass that gives direction to all others.
Because we want Christ to be known, honored, worshipped and obeyed, we submit every other attainable goal to him. Our decisions are no longer controlled by selfish desires, but by new desires we get from his love (2 Cor 5:14-15).
4. HOPE
A Christ-centered life finally puts all our eggs in the basket of the Lord. We know that this life is not all there is, and that an eternity is coming (1 Cor 15:19, Rev 21:4).
But a Christ-centered life is more than just a ticket out of hell. We have hope in the here and now, because Christ has promised his presence and grace until we go home.
Ask yourself: is my life Christ-centered?
Is Christ my source for life? Is he the motivation for everything I do? Is his glory my goal? Is he my hope, both for today and for eternity?
Like I said at the beginning, a lot competes for center stage in our hearts. The good news of the gospel is that Jesus accepts us and forgives us when he is not at the center.
Our Savior patiently walks with us and fights for us as we progress to make him the main focus of our life!
God bless
Paul Tripp
Reflection Questions
- Where are you taking credit for what only Christ has given?
- How can your relationship with Christ become more intimate and personal?
- When did you make a decision last week that put the glory of self over the glory of Christ?
- How does the hope of eternity give you hope for today?