Life in Christ: Dependence

We are encouraged by the world to be independent, self-sufficient, to be in control, to live any way we think is right, to strive for goals we set for ourselves, and be all that we can be. This unbiblical belief is often reinforced.

What is the standard that we as Christians should live by? Our standard needs to be a biblical standard because we have the fullness of Jesus Christ living in us. We must continually reject the world's standard and renew our thinking daily to be aligned with Christ.

Colossians 2:9 gives us this instruction: "For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority."

We are to set our hearts to actively surrender more and more of ourselves, so we may become dependent on Christ just as He was dependent on the Father for all things. Let's look at Christ's life as an example of how we are to live out our lives.

Let's look at the definitions of dependence:

1. Dependency (adj.) — controlled, supported, relying.
2. Dependent (noun) — a person who depends on someone else for existence, support or aid; reliance on another, trust.

Imitators of God

We are to be imitators of God and have the same attitude as Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:1 — "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Are you imitating Christ as a dearly loved child, or are you more like the child who is loved but brings heartbreak to her parents?

Philippians 2:5 — "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death, even death on a cross."

1. Christ relinquished all His rights and privileges to become a servant.
2. Our actions and attitudes must align with Christ's to be in His will. If we have a bad attitude, our "Christian" actions will be unconvincing or out and out rebellion.

Romans 12:1-2 — "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, this is your spiritual act of worship." Jesus gave up His body on the cross. It is reasonable for you to give up your rights, privileges and body in service to Christ.

Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross

Mark 8:34 — "If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."

1. Walk as Jesus walked. He denied Himself.
2. Those Christians who lived under Roman rule knew exactly what it meant to take up a cross. They saw what Romans did to fellow Christians as they walked along the road. The crucifixions were done publicly. They knew what it meant to pick up the cross. It meant death.
3. Follow Me. We have a choice of whom we will follow each day: God or Satan.

Spend Time Alone With Your Heavenly Father

Luke 5:16 — "But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed." Build your relationship with Christ. Spend time with Him. Let the communication be two ways.

Mark 1:35 — "Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." This was after a very full day of teaching, healing many people, casting out demons.

Do Nothing on Your Own

We are to do nothing on our own but in the power of the Holy Spirit for results that are eternal.

John 8:28-30 — "So Jesus said, 'When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am the One I claim to be and that I do nothing on my own but speak just what the Father has taught Me. The One who sent Me is with Me. He has not left Me alone, for I always do what pleases Him.'"

1. Often your calendar and your checkbook can be an indicator of your heart's priorities. Does your agenda agree with God's agenda for your life?
2. We are taught through God's word, the leading of the Holy Spirit, trials, and other Christians' influence. As we surrender more of ourselves to Christ we grow and mature.
3. Is your mindset to always try to do what pleases God? If you don't know how, ask Him.

There are consequences to your choices in life.

1 Corinthians 3:10-15 — "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames."

Speak in a Way That Gives Glory to God

John 14:10 — "Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing His work."

Ephesians 4:29 — "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." The words that come out of your mouth should benefit others. Even in confrontation, truth needs to be given in love and in a way that can be received by the hearer. Prayer, patience and love need to be the motive.

When We Are Troubled

When we are troubled we are to give it to the Lord and ask that He be glorified in it.

John 12:27 — "Now My heart is troubled, and what shall I say? Father, save Me from this hour? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name!" Are you troubled? It may be that you are here for this very thing (Esther). How will you respond to it? "Father, glorify Your name" was Christ's response.

James 1:2-4 — "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." We learn our most important lessons through pain.

1 Peter 4:12-13, 19 — "Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed... So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

Romans 5:2b-5 — "And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us."

1. This scripture is not talking about suffering as a result of sin. For instance, if you are bitter, angry, in rebellion.
2. The purpose of suffering is clear. 2 Corinthians 1:3-6: "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."

We Have a Helper

This is possible because we have a Helper.

John 14:15-17 — "If you love Me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and is in you." We have the fullness of Christ in us. He has given us the Counselor who directs us, teaches us, and comforts us. It is much easier to have a heart yielded to Him and follow Him, than to be in rebellion and fight against Him.

One With Christ

We are one with Christ. We are to show the world so that they may know Him.

John 17:20-23 — "My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message, that all of them may be one. Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. I have given them the glory that You gave Me, that they may be one as We are one: I in them and You in Me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me."

Do others in your sphere of influence know you are Christ's? Is it obvious?