Reel Living Or Real Living?

Shakespeare famously wrote, "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players." In many ways, the world around us encourages us to live exactly that way — to perform, to impress, to play the part expected of us.

That might be like Reel to Reel Living, as in the old time movies. But God has called us to something infinitely greater. The Christian life is not primarily about playing a better role. It is not about trying harder to imitate Jesus. It is about allowing the Holy Spirit to reveal the life of Jesus Christ through us. That is Real living!

Paul wrote: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." — Galatians 2:20

How does Christ live His life through us? Through the Holy Spirit whom He has placed within every believer.

Jesus promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would not merely be near them, but would live in them: "He lives with you and will be in you." — John 14:17. That changes everything. Romans 12:1 calls us to present our bodies to God as a living sacrifice. Why our bodies? Because our hands, feet, voices, minds, abilities, relationships, and opportunities become instruments through which the Holy Spirit can express the life of Christ.

Paul explained the mystery this way: "Christ in you, the hope of glory." — Colossians 1:27

And again: "We who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that His life may also be revealed in our mortal body." — 2 Corinthians 4:11

Notice the emphasis: His life revealed in our bodies. That is Real Living.

Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches... apart from Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). A branch does not strain to manufacture fruit. It simply remains connected to the vine, and the life within the vine produces the fruit. So it is with us.

The Holy Spirit produces in us what we cannot manufacture for ourselves: Love when we are tempted to resent. Joy when circumstances disappoint us. Peace when anxiety surrounds us. Patience when people frustrate us. Kindness when harshness would be easier. Faithfulness when we are tempted to quit. Gentleness when we want to strike back. Self-control when our impulses demand their way.

These are not merely Christian virtues we try to imitate. They are the fruit of the Spirit — evidence that His life is being expressed through ours. There is an enormous difference between saying, "Lord, help me become more loving," and praying, "Holy Spirit, I cannot produce Your love on my own. I yield myself to You. Express the love of Christ through me."

One is self-improvement. The other is self-surrender.

LIFE LESSON: Christianity is not primarily about making life better. It is about yielding to the New Life already living within us. God worked through His Son, and now the Son, through the Holy Spirit, desires to work through us. Our greatest calling, therefore, is not to perform for Christ but to yield to the life of Christ within.

"Holy Spirit, I give You my mind, my words, my attitudes, my hands, my feet, and my opportunities today. Live the life of Jesus Christ through me."

That is not Reel Living. That is Real Living.

REEL LIVING OR REAL LIVING?

Video Spotlight: New Covenant Revelation Conference, Pakistan — watch here.

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