The Exchanged Life

2 Corinthians 4:10-11

Why is Jesus alive today? Stop and consider this question. Yes, He’s alive because He rose from the dead. Yes, He’s alive because He is God and “it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24, NIV). But why? What purpose does His present life serve? Payment for sin is complete; that’s a past accomplishment. Someday He will rule the earth; that’s a future promise. But what about today? Over and over the New Testament tells us Jesus is actively making intercession for us. He comes before the throne of heaven as our mediator, and He makes requests before the Father for our moment-by-moment needs. Christ has made no provision for you or me—on our own, in our own power—to live the Christian life. You can seek knowledge and understanding. You can serve, worship, and walk with Him. But you have zero power or personal strength to resource true, full obedience. There’s nothing in you that can enable you to live for the Lord; not an ounce of strength, not a smidgen of will power, not a thimbleful of perseverance to make Christian living possible. The only source of power is the exchanged life—Christ living through you. Your part is to get out of the way and let Him. When you do and people see spiritual life in you, whose is it? It’s Christ’s, not yours. If people see anything worthwhile in your life, if there is anything eternal and lasting, it is the actual life of Christ flowing through you.

Questions for further thought:
1. What in your life indicates living in your own strength? How is that working for you?
2. How might your life look different if you embraced the exchanged life—Christ living in you?

Challenge: Persevere and hold fast to the promises of Scripture. Be encouraged if you are God’s child as He is for you and wants to live through you.