It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. Galatians 2:20 (NASB)

What does it mean to be completely sold out to Christ that others see only Jesus in me? Can my relationship with Jesus be that close, that strong? Paul says it is possible, that he had obtained that strong of a relationship and closeness with Christ. For Paul, it was a relationship so close that he lost his own identity because he so identified with Christ. I believe this meant that others saw Jesus when they saw Paul. Did this mean that Paul was perfect? No, he admitted that himself. But he had such an experience with Jesus that his own ego or desires were not central, but his faith in God was. His soul/sole purpose became to spread the message of Jesus' redemptive love and sacrifice to advance the kingdom of God on earth.

Paul embraced the plan God had for him on earth. His relationship with God was based on faith-faith in what God did and could do for him, not what he could do for God. God transformed Paul. He can do that for you and me. It happens from the inside out as we live and grow in Christ. He becomes central and we become more and more like Him in living, in loving, and finally in dying-dying to self, and then physical death when we are perfected into His likeness eternally.

Oh, Jesus, draw me so close to you that my faith in you, my living daily in your love and grace enables others to see only You in me. Amen.

Faith Jones