How does "to live is Christ" influence your daily decisions and priorities? The Heartbeat of Philippians 1:21 “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21) Christ at the Center of Identity • Life is no longer self-defined; Christ defines who we are (2 Corinthians 5:17). • Our old self is crucified; “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” (Galatians 2:20) • Every role—parent, worker, student, friend—flows from belonging to Him. Shaping Daily Decisions Speech • “And in whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Colossians 3:17) • Words become tools for building up and pointing to Christ. Time • “Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:16) • Schedules bend toward Scripture, worship, service, and relationships. Money • “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” (Matthew 6:33a) • Budget lines favor generosity, missions, and needs of others before comforts. Relationships • “Love one another. As I have loved you.” (John 13:34) • Forgiveness, patience, and sacrificial care replace self-protection. Setting Priorities on Eternal Things • “Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” (Matthew 6:20) • Career goals, hobbies, and plans gain worth only as they advance the gospel. • Earthly success is measured by eternal fruit, not applause or possessions. Measuring Success Differently • “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole heart, as working for the Lord.” (Colossians 3:23) • Excellence is pursued, but applause is redirected to Christ. • Failure loses its sting when obedience is the metric. Facing Suffering and Risk • “It has been granted to you… to suffer for Him.” (Philippians 1:29) • Hard choices—standing for truth, refusing compromise—become privileges. • Even loss or illness is interpreted as an arena to display Christ’s worth. Practical Steps for Today • Morning surrender: verbally offer the day to Christ before rising. • Scripture saturation: read, memorize, and speak God’s Word throughout tasks. • Gospel purpose filter: ask, “Does this choice advance Christ’s fame?” • Others-focused service: schedule acts of hidden kindness. • End-of-day review: celebrate where Christ was visible, confess where self ruled. Living is Christ whenever every thought, plan, and action is intentionally aligned with His glory, trusting the Bible’s clear, true words to light each step. |
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