Key scripture – “[We are] always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:10–11, ESV).

Pastor, James McDonald asks; Why is Jesus alive? Pause to consider that question for a moment.

Yes, He’s alive because He rose from the dead—but why?

Yes, He’s alive because He is God—but why?

Yes, He’s alive “because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24, NIV)—but why?

What purpose does His present life serve? Over and over the New Testament tells us Jesus is alive and active. He makes 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 (Hebrews 7:25). Payment for sin is complete; that’s a past accomplishment (John 19:30). Someday Christ will rule the earth; that’s a future promise (Revelation 19:15).

But what about today? Today Christ lives to bring His victorious power to bear upon our character. Not only does He offer victory over sin and death, and He gives forgiveness to all who believe, He also wants to live His life through us. That is what Christian living is all about—“that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:11).

The true Christian life is, Christ in you. It’s a brand of living far superior to the Christ-in-my-own-strength program, which only leads to disappointment, exhaustion, and failure. Jesus is the only one who ever lived the Christian life successfully. Christ has made no provision for you—on your own, in your own power—to live the Christian life. While you can seek knowledge and understanding and you can serve, worship, and walk with Him, you have zero power or personal strength to resource true, full obedience. There’s nothing in you that can enable you to live for Him—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 live through you.

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. The only true resource, the only power for lasting transformation, is Christ in you. This powerful, simple truth can absolutely change your life. Consider this as a turning point, an invitation to the exchanged life—Christ living in you.

It begins with honesty, admitting your sin and powerlessness to live for the Lord on your own. Because of His death, once you finally die to yourself once and for all, “the life of Jesus” can be manifested in you.

Are you trying to live in your own strength? How is that working for you? If you want your life to look different then embrace the exchanged life—Christ living in you?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, I am so weak and every day of my failed efforts to live a righteous life in my own strength is painful and a penetrating reminder of that fact. Today I turn as never before to You alone. I die to myself by faith, and today, Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me. I step out of the way and I start letting You lead me in every aspect of my life. I exchange my for control for Your control. I exchange what I think for what You have said to do in Your Word. I exchange my thoughts for Your thoughts. I exchange me trying to do what is right to living in obedience to Your Word. I give it all to You. Please help me to reflect and live out the truth of the exchanged life: Christ in me. Thank You Jesus, that You are alive to intercede for me today. In the Strong Name of Jesus, I pray, Amen.