Wednesday, 1st February 2023
Alex Buabeng-Korsah
TOPIC: CHRIST, THE CENTER AND OUR CORD
THEME SCRIPTURE: Philippians 1:1-2
PREPARATORY QUESTIONS:
- How can Christ be the center of our lives?
- What does it mean for our lives, if Christ is our Lord and Master?
It is interesting reading the theme scripture. Not only is it filled with love and joy for the Philippian Christians, but also the name of our Lord is mentioned three times – servants of Christ Jesus, followers of Jesus and our Master Jesus. Isn’t this wonderful?
The Apostle’s opening statement is filled with one thing – Christ is the center of our being and our relationships, and He is the cord that binds us as one people.
Paul communicates this beautifully in the sense that he reminds the Philippian believers that they may see them (Paul and Timotheus) as their leaders but rather they are the servants of God. They are responding to someone who is higher than them and it is by His will they brought the gospel to Philippi. He further points out to them [Philippians] that they are also followers, not of Paul or Timotheus, but of Jesus Himself. Sometimes, believers can easily lose sight of the fact that they are followers of Christ and we begin to see ourselves as followers of men of God or members of a denomination. There’s nothing wrong with following a true man of God. However, as you follow, it is important that you keep your eyes on Jesus, the Son of the Living God. This is why in the third mention of the name of our Lord, Paul indicates that Jesus is the one who is our Master. The one who defines us individually and also binds the servant to the follower and the follower to the servant, but both to Himself. Glory to God.
Precious One, it is important that in our own lives, we recognize this triangle of relationships. That, if men see us as leaders, we should see ourselves as servants of the Lord. Everything we do as leaders is our service to Christ. On the other hand, if we are followers, of men God has given to us, we should see ourselves as followers of Christ, keeping our eyes, and our faith in Him alone. At the top of the servant of Christ and the follower of Jesus is also the Master Jesus, who will judge us all according to our works.
Today, should we not reflect on our own lives whether as husbands, we are servants of Christ and as wives, we are the followers of Jesus? Should we not ask ourselves whether as employers we are being servants of Christ and as employees we are being followers of Jesus? In the church are we being followers of denomination or are we being followers of Christ? Should we not also ask – in our marriages is Christ the center and the cord that binds the family or it is money and survival? In our churches, is Christ the center and the cord that binds us as a congregation or our ambitions?
Precious One, is Christ the center of your life or you are yet to receive Him as Lord?
Until we make Christ the center and the cord that binds us, we are not going to realize the greater and superior destiny, which can and must be ours. Let God’s Spirit empower you today to keep your gaze on Jesus in everything you do, being filled with joy and the glory of the Master of our lives. Hallelujah!
FURTHER READING – Proverbs 3:5-6, Galatians 2:20
QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD:
- How well is Christ seen in you, especially in the workplace? Is it clear that those around you see Christ as central to your life?
CONFESSION
Precious Jesus, I acknowledge you as my Master, Lord and Savior. I affirm that in you I live and move and have my being. I receive your help this day to remain focused on you in everything I do. At the center of it all, I am seeing Christ alone. Thank you Jesus; thank you Lord.
1-Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 5; Exodus 6; Psalm 58; Psalm 59; Romans 10; Romans 11
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