To Live is Christ

Philippians 1:21 NKJV

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

Ephesians 2:14–18 NKJV

14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.

The *enmity* IS the law. BECAUSE we cannot do it! We can’t because we are weak through the flesh!!!

Romans 8:1–4 NKJV

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

I no longer think of life as flesh vs. Spirit.

I think of life as flesh vs. Christ.

We have 2 ways to live: in Christ, or in the flesh.

Another way to think of it: in Christ, or in sin.

The choice isn’t even sin vs. obedience. The choice is sin vs. Christ. It is ONLY in Christ that the enmity is put to death. Outside of life IN HIM, the enmity is NO LONGER PUT TO DEATH! It’s back!

To lose focus of Christ AT ANY POINT is to remove the reason you serve God at all! You don’t stop sinning to check off on a list that you don’t sin. You get sin out of your life FOR CHRIST! You don’t go to church because you’re “supposed to.” You go to church FOR CHRIST! Life IS Christ!

It’s either the flesh or Christ!

The world OR CHRIST!

Sin OR CHRIST!

Choosing anything else AT ALL is choosing something besides Christ, even if it’s something that sounds Godly!

Sin IS separation FROM CHRIST! Sin brings the enmity back!

Also, *trying* to be accepted by God through what you do brings the enmity back!

Galatians 5:4–6 NKJV

4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

Galatians 5:18 NKJV

18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.