“Anyone who is not with Me is against Me, and anyone who does not gather with Me scatters.”
Luke 11:22-24

From the outside looking in, one would never know whether a person is living a Christ-centered life or a Christ-Religious one. Typically, a Christ-Religious life is doing things for Christ. However a Christ-Centered life is doing things with Christ. It may be a matter of semantics for some, but the heart speaks louder than words or actions.

For example, when you walk into a room, are you looking to “save” people for Christ? Or are you looking to see how the Spirit is navigating the room and where you can partner with Him?
The difference between the two is that in the first scenario one already has a prior plan agenda that “they” want done and the second is seeking how they may best serve Christ at that moment. The believer has come to a place where they now realize that God’s ways and means are absolutely different than ours.

The apostle Paul prior to his conversion is an example of the first type of person and then after his conversion he became the second. His focus prior to conversion was destroying Christians because they didn’t comply with his standards of righteousness (Acts 9:1-19). After Christ engaged him on the road to Damascus, then Paul (known then as Saul) changed his method of operations. Thereafter, he sought out the Spirit’s intentions and partnered with Him in his ministry.(Acts 13:2, 16:6)

In summary, a Christ-Religious life likes to parade around using theological terms, mannerisms, and performance standards that look impressive, but they lack the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5). On the other hand, a Christ-centered life is hidden in Jesus and most of the time the right hand is not even aware what the other hand is doing (Mathew 6:3). A Christ-centered life seeks to serve others “with Jesus” instead of “for Jesus.” Jesus is the center of our relationship with all people. We serve others based on His standard, His desires, and His Spirit, not necessarily what we want or believe.

OUR PRAYER

Holy Father – Holy Lord – Holy Spirit: Thank you for engaging us and deeply desiring to have a familial relationship with us. Thank you for being faithful and committed to loving us and accepting us as we are. Yet thank you also for wanting to better us and changing us to truly reflect your glory and divine nature.

We realize whatever good we possess is you and only you. We thank you for living in us and expressing yourself through us. Help us to glorify your name in everything we say, think, and do. Amen

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

Consultant, Coach, Encourager
Author of Great Business Emulates A Good God

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