Christ Lives in Me

As we examined the preceding verses we discussed the importance of our doctrine matching our lifestyle. I had mentioned that legalism will cause you to forget that you too were and are in need of Christ’s grace. The reality of legalism isn’t that you’re really trying to live up to God’s standard but some warped standard that you’ve created; and no one can live up to your standard not even you!

That’s why Christ is far better! He lived up to God’s just and righteous standard and became your justification! But salvation doesn’t stop with our justification. If you live a hypocritical, legalistic life, you will be in essence saying that you believe that Christ’s work wasn’t enough.

Did you know that hypocritical, legalistic tendencies are our natural default? But you might be wondering, if a hypocritical, legalistic lifestyle is my default setting, what do I have to do so that I’m living the gospel? What do I have to do so I’m living the gospel-filled life? Well, there you go again! Living the gospel, the grace-filled life, is not a list of items you can check off each day so that you can be sure that you’re completing them.

In today’s passage, we’re going to see that we must live by faith. The gospel is lived by faith in Christ.