For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
Philippians 1:21 NKJV
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Philippians 2:3 NKJV
Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
Philippians 2:14-15 NKJV
The key to living as Christians is Christ.
Do you live for Jesus every single day?
If “yes” is the answer, how has the Lord helped you learn this?
What choices in your attitudes, outlook, and actions do you consistently hold to?
In what ways do you guard yourself from the lies, snares, and trucks of sin?
How do you cultivate your walk with Jesus daily?
In what ways are you upholding others in their journey with Christ?
No matter the culture one finds themselves in, it can quickly turn one aside from following steadfastly to the path of Christ.
There are so many different ways this happens.
It could be the culture is pagan and the very name of Jesus is illegal.
The culture might be secular, where the common law is “do what feels good” without any thought to the consequences.
It might be strictly religious, without even a hint of the love of Christ, only the rigid unbending laws placed upon man by man.
Or it could be something quiet different.
No matter the culture one finds themselves, it is the individual Jesus came to save.
Therefore each one of us has a choice.
Our individual life was created by God.
He has a plan for every single person.
And He redeems each one who calls upon His name, Jesus saves.
Therefore, each one has the opportunity to a personal day-to-day relationship with Jesus.
Unfortunately, that’s very counter culture.
No matter the culture one lives in, that culture wants each person to follow the culture.
Therefore, as Christ followers, our lives should not look like every other around us.
Infact, we are supposed to shine in the darkness.
Of course a candle doesn’t give off light by itself.
It must be lit.
Only Jesus can shine through our surrendered lives.
Let each one of us Christ followers say along with Paul:
Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV
patientlyhopeful 