The Indwelling Christ

This verse from Paul is one of the most powerful summaries of the Christian life. It’s not just about believing in Christ—it’s about being completely transformed by Him. When Paul says, “It is no longer I who live,” he isn’t saying he has ceased to exist. He’s saying that his old self—his identity apart from Christ—has died. And in its place, something miraculous has happened: Christ now lives in him.

This is the heart of the gospel. Christianity is not simply about trying harder or becoming a better version of yourself. It’s about surrender—dying to self—and being made new in Christ. When we put our faith in Jesus, we don’t just receive forgiveness; we receive His very presence, His life, within us.

Christ lives in you. Not as a distant example to imitate from afar, but as a living presence dwelling in your heart through the Holy Spirit. His peace becomes your peace. His power becomes your strength. His love shapes your actions. His purpose becomes your mission.

This indwelling presence changes everything. You’re not facing life on your own. When you’re tempted, Christ is with you. When you’re weak, He supplies strength. When you don’t know what to do, He gives wisdom. You’re not abandoned or forgotten—you are filled with the living Christ.

This truth also frees us from trying to earn God’s approval. We live by faith in the Son of God, not by our performance. And because Christ lives in us, we can live with confidence, courage, and joy, knowing He is working in us and through us.

So today, let your prayer not be, “Jesus, help me live for You,” but rather, “Jesus, live through me.” That’s the Christian life—not merely imitating Christ, but participating in His life through faith.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus,
Thank You that You not only died for me, but that You now live in me. I confess how often I try to live in my own strength and forget that You dwell within me.

Help me die to myself daily—my pride, my plans, my fears—and live fully by faith in You. Let Your love shape my actions, Your humility guide my heart, and Your power sustain me in weakness.

May others see not just a changed person, but the presence of the living Christ at work in me. Teach me to walk by faith, trust in Your life within me, and glorify You in all I do.

In Your name I pray,
Amen.