Christ, Our Life

Introduction

The grand theme of this entire letter is “Christ.” His adequacy and sufficiency are underlined in each chapter. He is our life, our example, our power, our all! He is the substance, essence, presence, and excellence of Christianity. Without Him, we know nothing, we have nothing, we are nothing, and we can do nothing. But, through Him, we know the truth, we have eternal life, we are complete, and, as He strengthens us, we “can do all things” (4:13). Not only does this key text express this truth, but it is magnified in the divisions, verses, and phrases throughout the chapter.

1. The Sphere Of Our Life

The phrase, “in the Lord,” found three times in the early verses (4:1, 2, 4), designates the place and space of our Christian experience. Christ is our world! He is our spiritual universe! And, as everything we need to exist physically is found in the physical world, so everything we need to function spiritually is found in Him. We can “stand fast in the Lord” (4:1) for our continuance is in Him. We can “be of the same mind in the Lord” (4:2) for our communion is in Him. We can “Rejoice in the Lord alway” (4:4) for our celebration is in Him!

2. The Strength Of Our Life

Jesus is the dynamic of all spiritual life. He is the Strength of strength, the Life of life! Through the strength of His presence, we are able to let our “moderation be known to all men” (4:5). Through the strength of His priesthood, we let our “requests be made known unto God” (4:6). Through the strength of His peace, our “hearts and minds” are garrisoned (4:7). Through the strength of His power, we can “think” on things that are wholesome (4:8). Through the strength of His purposes, we learn “to be content” in all situations (4:11). Yes, “through Christ” we can do “all things” (4:13).

3. The Source Of Our Life

The final emphasis in this chapter has to do with Christian stewardship. The passage seems to gather around the words, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (4:19). Notice, it is not what we can give or not give, but what He can give through us! The weight of stewardship is not just upon the shoulder of the believer. Christ is our source, our supply, our sufficiency! All faithfulness in giving springs from Him (see 4:15, 16). All fruitfulness in giving issues from Him (see 4:17). All fullness in giving flows from Him (see 4:18, 19). He is our life!

Conclusion

Everyone knows that water is the habitat of fish. We might say, fish were made for the water and the water was made for them. It is the world in which they live and function. In fact, without it, they can do nothing. It is their life, strength, and hope! As they move through the water, the water moves through them. Christ is the believer’s habitat, the spiritual world in which we live. “For in Him we live, and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28). We live in Him, and He lives in us. Without Him, we can do nothing! (see John 15:5). Without Him, we are like fish out of water!