Introduction

One of the greatest revelations a believer can receive is the understanding that Christianity is not simply about Christ living for me, but about Christ living in me.

Many people know Christ as the One who died for them. They know Him as the One who forgives their sins, answers their prayers, protects them and gives them eternal life. All these are wonderful truths.

But there is another dimension of the Christian life: Christ wants to live His life through you.

Paul said:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me…”

Notice the language carefully. Paul did not say, “Christ helps me live my life.” He said, “Christ lives in me.”

This changes everything.

When Christ lives in a person, that person's desires, decisions, character, priorities, relationships and purpose begin to reflect Christ.

The Christian life is therefore not merely about trying harder to behave like Jesus. It is about allowing Jesus to express His life through us.

1. CHRIST LIVES IN A CRUCIFIED LIFE

Paul begins by saying:

“I am crucified with Christ…”

Before Christ can fully express His life through us, something in us must die.

The “I” must come down.

The old nature wants to be in control. It wants recognition, pleasure, revenge, pride, independence and self-satisfaction.

But the life of Christ operates differently.

Jesus said:

“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”
Luke 9:23

The cross is not merely an ornament we wear around our necks. The cross represents the death of self.

There are things that must die in us:

• Pride must die.

• Unforgiveness must die.

• Bitterness must die.

• Selfish ambition must die.

• Sinful desires must die.

• The desire to control everything must die.

• The old identity must die.

The question is not simply, “Is Christ in me?”

The question is also:

“What in me is preventing Christ from being seen?”

You cannot continually enthrone self and expect Christ to be fully expressed through your life.

The more self occupies the throne, the less Christ is visible.

But when self is surrendered, Christ becomes increasingly evident.

2. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, NOT JUST AROUND ME

Paul says:

“Christ liveth in me.”

This is a powerful statement.

Christ is not merely around me.

Christ is not merely before me.

Christ is not merely above me.

Christ lives in me.

The presence of Christ is not supposed to be an occasional experience that happens only during worship, prayer or church services.

His presence should influence our everyday lives.

Christ should be present in:

My thoughts.

My words.

My decisions.

My relationships.

My business.

My marriage.

My ministry.

My private life.

My public life.

There should be no area of our lives where we say, “Jesus, You can stay outside this one.”

Christ is not interested in being a visitor in our lives.

He wants to be Lord.

3. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, THEREFORE I MUST CHANGE

When Christ enters a person's life, transformation begins.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says:

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…”

The evidence that Christ lives in us is not merely that we attend church.

It is not merely that we can quote Scripture.

It is not merely that we know how to pray.

There must be evidence of transformation.

If Christ lives in me, I should become more loving.

If Christ lives in me, I should become more forgiving.

If Christ lives in me, I should become more truthful.

If Christ lives in me, I should become more compassionate.

If Christ lives in me, I should become more humble.

If Christ lives in me, I should become more patient.

If Christ lives in me, I should become less controlled by anger, pride and selfishness.

The presence of Christ produces the character of Christ.

A tree is known by its fruit.

In the same way, Christ living in us should eventually become visible through us.

4. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO I NO LONGER LIVE FOR MYSELF

Paul continues:

“And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God…”

There was a change of ownership.

Paul's life was no longer centred around Paul.

His life had become centred around Christ.

This is one of the deepest meanings of salvation.

Jesus did not save us merely so that we could live comfortably for ourselves.

He saved us so that our lives could become instruments of His purpose.

The question changes from:

“What do I want?”

to:

“What does Christ want?”

From:

“How can I benefit?”

to:

“How can Christ be glorified?”

From:

“What will make me famous?”

to:

“What will make Christ known?”

From:

“What can I get?”

to:

“What can I give?”

When Christ lives in you, your life becomes bigger than yourself.

5. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO I CAN LIVE ABOVE MY OLD LIFE

One of the greatest struggles of the believer is the struggle between the old nature and the new life in Christ.

Sometimes we look at our weaknesses and conclude, “This is just who I am.”

But Christ living in you means that you are not limited to who you used to be.

You may have been angry, but Christ can produce gentleness.

You may have been bitter, but Christ can produce forgiveness.

You may have been fearful, but Christ can produce faith.

You may have been selfish, but Christ can produce generosity.

You may have been defeated, but Christ can produce victory.

You may have failed in the past, but your failure does not have to determine your future.

Why?

Because Christ lives in you.

Philippians 4:13 says:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

The power is not simply in your ability.

The power is in Christ working through you.

6. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO MY LIFE MUST REVEAL HIM

Imagine someone who has never seen Christ physically.

How will that person encounter something of Christ?

They may encounter Him through your life.

When you forgive someone who hurt you, Christ is being revealed.

When you show kindness to someone who cannot repay you, Christ is being revealed.

When you refuse to compromise your integrity, Christ is being revealed.

When you choose truth instead of deception, Christ is being revealed.

When you love someone who hates you, Christ is being revealed.

When you remain faithful during difficulty, Christ is being revealed.

Your life becomes a testimony.

Jesus said:

“Ye are the light of the world.”
Matthew 5:14

The world needs more than Christians who can talk about Christ.

It needs Christians through whom Christ can be seen.

7. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO I MUST SURRENDER DAILY

Paul said:

“I am crucified with Christ…”

The language of crucifixion reminds us that surrender is not a one-time lesson.

There are moments every day when we must choose between self and Christ.

Someone offends you.

Self says, “Pay them back.”

Christ says, “Forgive.”

Someone insults you.

Self says, “Defend yourself.”

Christ says, “Respond with grace.”

You are given an opportunity to compromise.

Self says, “Nobody will know.”

Christ says, “Walk in integrity.”

You are tempted to give up.

Self says, “Quit.”

Christ says, “Keep going.”

The Christian life is a daily surrender.

Every day we say:

“Lord, not my will, but Yours.”

Every day we allow Christ to take the throne again.

8. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO MY PURPOSE IS GREATER THAN MYSELF

If Christ lives in me, then my life has divine purpose.

I am not merely alive to eat, work, acquire possessions, become successful and eventually die.

There is something greater.

Christ wants to accomplish His purpose through my life.

Your profession can become an avenue for Christ.

Your family can become an avenue for Christ.

Your gifts can become an avenue for Christ.

Your resources can become an avenue for Christ.

Your testimony can become an avenue for Christ.

Even your painful experiences can become instruments through which God strengthens and helps others.

Paul understood this.

He lived with one central purpose: that Christ would be magnified through his life.

Philippians 1:20 says:

“…with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body…”

That should become our desire:

“Lord, let Christ be seen through me.”

9. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO I DO NOT HAVE TO LIVE BY MY OWN STRENGTH

One reason many believers become exhausted is that they are trying to live the Christian life through human strength.

They are trying to love without Christ's help.

They are trying to forgive without Christ's help.

They are trying to resist temptation without Christ's help.

They are trying to serve God without Christ's help.

But Christianity is not simply human effort directed towards God.

It is Christ working in a surrendered vessel.

Jesus said:

“Without me ye can do nothing.”
John 15:5

The branch does not produce fruit by struggling.

It produces fruit by remaining connected to the vine.

Likewise, we bear spiritual fruit by remaining connected to Christ.

The secret is not:

“Try harder.”

The secret is:

“Abide deeper.”

Stay connected to Christ.

Stay in His Word.

Stay in prayer.

Stay sensitive to the Holy Spirit.

Stay surrendered.

And allow His life to flow through you.

10. CHRIST LIVES IN ME, SO I MUST GUARD WHAT I CARRY

If Christ lives in me, then I carry something precious.

My body is not merely my possession.

My life is not merely my own.

1 Corinthians 6:19 says:

“What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost…”

This should change how we treat ourselves.

It should change what we watch.

It should change what we listen to.

It should change what we say.

It should change where we go.

It should change the relationships we maintain.

It should change the things we entertain privately.

You cannot carry Christ and deliberately make peace with everything that opposes Him.

When you understand who lives in you, you become more careful about what you allow into your life.

THE GREAT EXCHANGE

Galatians 2:20 presents a beautiful exchange.

My life for His life.

My weakness for His strength.

My wisdom for His wisdom.

My desires for His desires.

My will for His will.

My old nature for His new nature.

My limitations for His possibilities.

My purpose for His purpose.

Paul says:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live…”

This is not the disappearance of the person.

It is the transformation of the person.

You still have your personality.

You still have your talents.

You still have your experiences.

You still have your individuality.

But now Christ becomes the centre of your life.

He does not destroy who you are.

He transforms you into who He created you to become.

CONCLUSION

The greatest testimony of a believer should not simply be:

“I go to church.”

It should not simply be:

“I know the Bible.”

It should not simply be:

“I can pray.”

It should be:

“Christ lives in me.”

When Christ lives in you, your life becomes a living testimony.

Your hands can serve Him.

Your mouth can speak for Him.

Your feet can go where He sends you.

Your heart can love what He loves.

Your mind can think according to His Word.

Your resources can advance His kingdom.

Your life can reveal His character.

So the question today is not merely:

“Do I believe in Christ?”

The deeper question is:

“Does Christ have full expression through my life?”

Because Christianity is not merely Christ for me.

It is also Christ in me.

And when Christ lives in me, I can say with Paul:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”