Relevant Life

What does it mean to live without Jesus?  Do Christians live without Christ in their lives?

Before my journey with Christ, I use to be a 13 year old agnostic. I believed that there could be a higher power but did not have a desire to pursue.  However, one summer night at a small country Baptist church; I had an encounter with God. It was at one of our Sunday Evening services. I was sitting in the back row of the church and thinking about the message from the pastor. I remember sitting with a few friends and turning the pages of the bible to the pastor’s request. There was nothing special or supernatural taking place on this August summer night. When the pastor gave the alter call; I remember an inner voice telling me to go down the aisle. I walked from the back of the church down to the front. The pastor met me with arms  wide open just like I pictured Jesus.  He took me to the front pew and we both knelt. I repeated a prayer from the pastor and according to the pastor and others in the church that day. I was now born again. I never cried or showed emotion but knew deep within me something changed. I left the small country church that night a believer and follower of Christ. When I got home, I remember laying in my bed reading the book of Matthew from the light beaming into my room from the hallway. The  time of reading is where all my emotions began to pour out. As I read God’s word, I became overwhelmed by His presence and sacrifice for me.  I was suppose to be sleeping so I could be rested for school the next day but could not stop crying. He became real to me that night for sure. From age of 13 to now, ( 46) Christ is still my source of life and hope.

Today, I can’t imagine  life without Jesus. Having faith in Christ is at the core of everything I do but I can’t help to wonder if we all live life without Jesus. Even believers appear to live life without Christ which is a tremendous problem. How does this happen?

1. Christ stops being your everything.

Philippians 1:21 GW  Christ means everything to me in this life, and when I die I\’ll have even more.

2. Christ stops being your ultimate treasure.

Matthew 6:19-21 GW  \”Stop storing up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moths and rust destroy and thieves break in and steal.  (20)  Instead, store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where moths and rust don\’t destroy and thieves don\’t break in and steal.  (21)  Your heart will be where your treasure is.

3. Christ stops being your source of faith and hope.

Hebrews 11:1 GW  Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.

Hebrews 11:6 GW  No one can please God without faith. Whoever goes to God must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

I realize more and more each day that the Lord wants to be apart of everything in my life. He wants to be with you at your workplace. He desires to be in the midst of you and your family. When you are buying a car or a house. When you are making easy and tough decisions. Christ desires to be at the center of every aspect of your life. Take stock of your life right now and see if you are living without Christ.