To live is Christ

During the welcome session at Passion 2011 Ft. Worth, Louie Giglio said what we already knew, but he said it so well, i felt like it was the first time that I heard it!

First thing that I have in my notes:

“There’s nothing that can stop God from using me. He used Saul. He used Saul.” no, that wasn’t a typo: He used Saul. He used SAUL! let’s face it. it’s amazing. Saul was a murderer of the people of the Way... God’s Way. He was out to get Jesus. But God took hold of him and shook him up, and used him in UN.BE.LEIVABLE. ways.

Because Saul had a change of heart. wanna hear the story? Check out Acts chapter 9, i believe.

Secondly, after Saul’s (later Paul) change of heart toward Jesus, his whole way of life changed. So much so that he penned the words:

For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Phil 1:21

To live is Christ. 

To die is gain.

That’s a great motto, no?

But I’ve switched it around in my life sometimes.

I act like to live is gain and to die is Christ.

I keep gaining, gaining, gaining, friends, acceptance, wealth. Whatever i’m doing, i’m gathering. and then, when I die, I’ll have Christ. I’ll be with Christ, I’ll worship Christ.

BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT THE BIBLE SAID!!!

The Bible said:

To live is CHRIST.

My actions, my thoughts, my goals and desires, my everything is Christ. 

to die is GAIN.

When I die, I’ll gain the inheritance of the saints. I’ll gain a perfect body. I’ll gain the joy of being in the very presence of the Holy God.

To live is Christ and to die is gain.

I believe something like this was said: “Paul was saying ‘if you let me live tomorrow, you’ll get more Jesus. If you kill me tomorrow, I’ll get more Jesus.”

Paul’s life was Christ. 

so i’m asking myself.

Is Bethany’s life Christ? What needs to change so that my life IS Christ?

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

Symphony- Chris Tomlin

Betkany