What’s in it for me?
Everyone who works with the public has to answer this question for the target audience. Whether it is selling an item, conveying a thought, or inspiring to action, we are motivated by gain for self. Even God set us up with reward as a principle. So in my last post I pulled the nuclear option: the first Adam and last Adam cannot cohabitate. So you might ask, “If this life isn’t for me, then what IS in it for me?”
For Me!
Scripture says, “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20). Essentially I was born into a fallen world as a vessel of death. All my self-inspired good deeds are selfishly motivated, and even my ‘human love’ is faulty at best. Then Christ came for me and I was saved from this body of death by being crucified with Him. My old nature was laid in the tomb WITH Christ. He joined me in eradicating my old man and ending all the death that erupted from my independent life. I couldn’t pay my own penalty, so Jesus clothed Himself with my humanity and took me where I had to go. I had to die!
Now, the first reward of this process is FREEDOM from my slavery. No longer do I have to support this wayward life. I was liberated from the sting of death and living an empty life. I was given a once-and-for-all freedom that must be walked out and realized. But, I have to come in line with the reality of the truth: I am free. Weirdly, it is about the awareness of this reality, not achieving the fact. It is finished; I just have to learn what was accomplished.
The Exciting Benefits For Me!
Here is the exciting benefit of no longer I but Christ: His abundance. Not only did Christ die my death and take me to the grave, but now He lives my life. “How in the world does that work?” When Christ rose from the grave and ascended into heaven, I went with Him. My resurrected life is with Him, now. “So how could this be good news, what about ME?” Well, His beautiful life can now live as me. “But what about ME?!” We are able to watch His glorious, fruit-filled Life live for the Father. And His joy is mine, because I am in Him. His satisfaction is mine, because I am in Him. His fulfillment is mine, because I am in Him.
See, what appears to be the loss of my life, is a gaining of ALL Life. No, it is not my self-life, but we established that that life was futile and destructive. The life I lost was tormenting, but His life I gained is magnificent. Because it is no longer I but Christ, His satisfaction is mine! I seek His fulfillment because we are one and this brings me complete fulfillment. I am not a paper doll of a person, no, I am full and intact, unique and individual. The expression of His life through my shell is unlike anyone else in the entire world—as unique and matchless as a fingerprint. But it is His Life in me. This is the mystery of Christ, my hope of glory.
Can’t Get It In My Head
It’s not a logical, mentally attainable thing. This is a truth that requires surrender and His coming to get me. I won’t ever figure this out in my head, but I can experience its multifaceted actuality. I can say, “I am very much alive.” This entire truth is a contradiction to the evidence that I see and feel. But its certainty is received by faith, a faith that pleases Him.
For you died to this life,
and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:3
” There’s a Man in the glory Whose life is in me. He is pure and He’s holy, triumphant and free. He is wise and He’s loving, how tender is He! His life in the glory, my life must be! There’s a Man in the glory Whose life is in me. He overcame satan, from bondage He’s free. In life He is reigning, how kingly is He! His life in the glory, my life must be! There’s a man in the glory Whose life is in me. In Him is no sickness, no weakness has He. He is strong and… Read more »
It is an exchange that takes place. I exchange my life for His life. And the exchange can not take place, unless I truly believe that His life is better than mine. I really need to have my eyes opened to see Jesus… And it’s impossible to see Him until I come to the end of me. And that’s the work of God in me, He brings my old man, the self, to utter devastation. Naturally we don’t think that the ” good part” of us deserves to die, we actually have a high opinion of that.. until the Lord… Read more »
You know what?…
After reading Martha’s The Road to Union series yesterday that to be dead, you have to WANT it, and your post today that Jesus/Life is what’s in it for me…
The thought just hit me: then however much I want to be dead, is how much I want Jesus!!!
Oh my!…
[…] my post What’s in it for me?, Irene commented and essentially asked how does “Not I but Christ” play out practically. This […]
[…] want to expound on my last post. It’s some of the best news we can hear and I want more. When God says, “Not I but […]
“…because I am in Him.”
“I no longer have to support this wayward life. I was liberated from the sting of death and living an empty life. I was given a once-and-for-all freedom that must be walked out and realized. Now, I have to come in line with the reality of the truth: I am free. Weirdly, it is about the awareness of this reality, not achieving the fact. It is finished; I just have to learn what was accomplished.”
Very well expressed. Also waiting for your answer to Irene.
LOVE
Thanks Irene, for stating my thoughts too ! Thank you John, I’m really looking forward to Monday !
By the way, I really appreciate these articles you & Jen write ! I’m daily encouraged & blessed !!!
It is in my blog, posting on Wednesday, that I will actually respond to Irene’s comment. Sorry about that, I was finishing Monday’s post when I read her response. I don’t think you will be disappointed though, it is very much on topic. Wednesday’s post is entitled “The ABC’s of Not I but Christ. Bless you Deb and thank you for encouragement!
I like your thoughts about His Life in me as unique as a fingerprint and as matchless as a snowflake .
Amazing
So my question for you John is, how do you walk this out in practice? When you get out of bed in the morning, do you reckon yourself dead by simply stating Gal 2:20 and then go on with your routine? Do you wait to make the coffee until you hear Him say follow Me? I have known exchanged life teaching for over 3 decades now and I still struggle with the “how” of it. I was a Martha and learned (am learning) to be a Mary. I have become a contemplative sitting at His feet, taking His yoke on… Read more »
Oh Irene, I am so glad you asked. I have been sitting for over an hour now writing a follow-up post. It will come out on Monday. I thought this post was it, but when I read it as a reader and not the writer I wanted more.
Bless you!
This is 6 years ago but you posed such a great question…had to say YES…right down to the coffee. I know it has very little to do with striving and more to do with waiting and looking up
…I often find myself like a person in a Jesus glove!
You have walked us through the process and now you have given us the destination. Jesus Himself! Great writing, man! It’s clear and exciting.