christ-follower

The Christ-Centered Life

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , ,
“It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11-12 (HCSB)

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There are many concepts thrown around each Sunday from Pastors with the desire to influence their congregations for Christ. Most are Biblical based. Some though require an advance degree in theology to comprehend the practicality of the topic. My hope over the next several months is to share some of these paradigms in a more practical surrounding.
Take for instance the concept, living a Christ-Centered Life. What does it mean to live a Christ-Centered life? Can one live a Christ linear life? Can one live a Christ oblong life? Or what about a Christ-Cliff Hanging Life? I’m not making fun of the concept, simply the changes culture places on us to effectively communicate the gospel message of Jesus Christ, His Domain, and His Spiritual influence in today’s world.
In the apostle’s Paul day, he would continually write expounding the concept of life “In Christ.”

The concept was to explain Paul’s theology of Christology. For Paul life in Christ can be summarized into four segments of relationship: Identity, Fellowship, Participation, and Union.

He would reiterate that our identity is “Hid in Christ.” That we have been redeemed by Christ and therefore are now included in Christ before the eyes of God the Father. When our Father God now looks at humanity, He looks through the prism of Christ.

We are likewise in fellowship with God and other believers who are likewise included in Christ. We belong and share life together on a journey that started at the foundation of creation. We share God’s truth, love, and grace with each other as we learn how to live the divine life.

In addition, we participate with Christ. In baptism we publicly acknowledge Christ’s life, death, and resurrection until he comes. We become his hands and feet throughout the world. We suffer as he suffered. We rejoice as he rejoices. We serve as he serves. We are His Body and continue the work that he started.
Now being in union with him, we abide and have our strength through Him. Like he said to His Father that he can’t do anything without Him, we likewise can’t do anything for God without Him. Whatever we do in non-union with Him, we do for ourselves. Everything we do in union with Him, we do for his glory.

Our life, our rewards, and our hope is all included in him. We, as members of His universal Church, are engaged to be married to Him. We are in a committed relationship bound by a covenant. Not a contract where if one side fails to perform, the other can walk away. This is a covenant where both sides promise to fulfill their obligations for life no matter what the cost. A real commitment.

So for the short definition, when we speak about the Christ-centered life, we are making a 21st century statement that Paul outlined in the 1st century. The Christ-centered life is simply catching the divine life “In Christ.” More to come…

OUR PRAYER

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Holy Father, Holy Lord, Holy Spirit — thank you for showering us with your grace, truth, and love. Thank you for revealing a small part of your plan of salvation to restore all creation per your original intent. Help us to follow your lead in our daily walk. Help us to serve others with you. Help us to truly understand the depth, and height, and magnitude of your love for us. Help us to truly live a Christ-centered life for your glory. In your name we pray.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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

If You Are Seeking a Devotional Study, Check Out My New Book Be Radical…Follow Christ.

More God Less Me

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , ,

more god

“There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus and said, “Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.” Jesus said, “You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.”
“How can anyone,” said Nicodemus, “be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this ‘born-from-above’ talk?” Jesus said, “You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the ‘wind-hovering-over-the-water’ creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit.
“So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be ‘born from above’—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone ‘born from above’ by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.”   John 3:1-8 The Message

How does this born again from above process workout in everyday life? We read scripture where Jesus meets a religious leader at night and emphasizes that we must be born again. OK. Got it. Now what? Is this simply our meal ticket to the last great eternal party with Jesus? Or is there more? (Isn’t there always more?).

One of the great mysteries of life is the workings of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Paul writes that wherever the Spirit is, so is Jesus. Trinitarian theology also demonstrates that wherever one of the three, Father, Son, or Holy Spirit are present, so are the other two. In other words, wherever the Spirit is, Jesus and the Father are also there.

What does this all mean in a practical matter? It means that when you receive the Holy Spirit, you have also invited the rest of the Godhead. Jesus and our heavenly Father also make their abode in you. That is why the Bible says we are His Temple; we are also the Body of Christ: individually and collectively. So when we learn to let God fully express Himself in us and through us, we experience the adventurous ride of life with Him.

Paul also wrote that “when we are at our weakest, then we are at our strength (2 Corinthians 12:8-10). Why? Because the more we elevate Christ in our life, the less our human nature shows. The more we elevate the Spirit in our life, the less our human tendencies get in the way. The more we elevate the Father, the less our human carnality is revealed. Learning to allow the Spirit of God, that includes Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, to lead, to influence, and to teach, is the way to fully enjoy God and life. The more God and the less me in the daily decisions, thoughts, and actions may make me worldly weak, but kingdom strong in Christ.

Now isn’t that a little more radical than just allowing religiosity to have its way?

OUR PRAYER

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Heavenly Father, Lord, and Spirit, we thank you for your plan of life, redemption, and glorification. We thank you for sharing your life with us through your Spirit. Thank you for residing in us and making your home in us. Thank you for allowing us to share your home in the heavens in Christ.

Help us to listen and learn how to follow your Spirit in our life. Cleanse our hearing and open our hearts to see you and your work in our daily responsibilities and service to others. Help us to explore and enjoy you in our daily comings and goings. Help us as we help others. And help others as you help us. In everything we think, say, and do, help us to do our best for your glory.

So be it.

Yours In Christ,

Dr. Mike

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

 

Graceful Love or Legalized Affection

Dr. Mike Kingdom Paradigms , , , , , , , , , ,

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Love is one of those expressive words that has been overused and underperformed in the 21st Century.Typically, if you asked 10 people for a definition of love, you would probably receive as many remarks.They would include such catch phrases as:

an emotion that makes one feel good

a decision to act

a sexual encounter

a worshipful moment

an exhilarating experience

an intimate friendship

a temporary relationship

a hookup

an act of giving

There are other statements you have heard that you could also include on the list. Yet, at the end of the day isn’t the best standard of love the source itself: the Triune God. We witness that love in the relationship between our heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Both sides totally giving of themselves for the other. Not a 50%/50% partnership. But 100%/100% of total sacrificial blessing toward the other. Totally unconditionally as exemplified through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice for humanity. He died for us while we were still rebelling against him. A graceful love is a totally, unconditional, freely given sacrificial expression without any strings attached.

On the other hand, how often have we experienced the legalized affection that some label as love. We have all witnessed that love somewhere in our lives. For example:

The parent that denies their emotional praise unless the child behaves according to specific demands.

The boss that manipulates others with a caring facade for the purpose of achieving their objectives; if not accomplished according to their desires, you end up in their dog house with no option for restoration.

The politician that kisses each baby in exchange for your vote. (every see a politician kiss a baby after the election?)

The wife or husband who refrains from sexual activity unless their mate meets their specific demands.

The little female princess that behaves accordingly to get what she truly wants from her Dad.

The neighbor who forcefully smiles across the fence at you yet internally mutters that life would be better off if you simply dropped dead.

The list is endless. The bottom line is we exhibit loving affection as long as others live up to our level of expectation. But the moment our standards are not met, we want to throw the bum out.

Legalized affection is “playing nice for what we want out of the relationship.” Graceful love is sacrificing ourselves for the betterment of the other with no other conditions except that God is glorified in the end. When God is glorified, Love gracefully wins. Which do you believe is the one God wants us to live?

OUR PRAYER

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Holy Father, Holy Lord, and Holy Spirit – thank you for revealing to us what makes love work. Help us out of our ignorance, pride, and lust. Let your heart manifest our actions, thoughts, and words so that you are always glorified. Whatever we lack physically, mentally, socially and financially, provide us with the means and the resources to bless others as you bless us. Thank you Jesus for showing us the way. Amen.

Yours In Christ,
Dr. Mike
Consultant, Coach, Encourager