All I Have Is Christ
As I’m certain I’ve mentioned a time or two in either devotionals or sermons, I like to listen to old Tim Keller sermons when I’m at the gym. The other day, I heard an illustration in one of his sermons that I think serves as a great illustration of our relationship with Christ. Below is my version of the illustration.
Let’s imagine that after church one Sunday, I go for a walk through the neighborhood around the church. I’m dressed in my Sunday best, and some people in the neighborhood have figured out that I work at the church. Along the way, I run into someone who looks like they just rolled out of bed but seems to be walking the same route I am. So, we strike up a conversation and continue our walk together. During our time together, I learn that my walking partner had just been released from prison for robbing a bank and is staying with a relative in the neighborhood.
Along the way, we come across a magnificent home, one that we both agree is perfect for each of us! So, we pause and look at the elaborate landscaping and intricate architecture. We smell the food on the grill and hear the laughter of a party in the backyard. We both long to be invited to the party, but we don’t know the person who lives there, so we are stuck outside the gates, looking in and waiting for an invitation.
In my story, the reason we are not invited to the party has nothing to do with how we are dressed, our past, or our social standing. The reason we can’t attend the party is because we do not have a relationship with the homeowner.
The song All I Have Is Christ illustrates well our attitude toward God and His response toward us. This song, in my mind, is centered around Romans 5:8: “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
God made the first move toward us.
“…and if you had not loved me first, I would refuse you still”
“…you looked upon my helpless state and led me to the cross”
“…the strength to follow your commands could never come from me”
To carry on the illustration from above, God sent us an invitation, and it’s up to us to respond.
Here is the bottom line:
- God made the first move. (Romans 5:8)
- We can’t work our way into God’s good graces. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
We do not have it within us to be faithful and honor God’s commands on our own. (John 15:5) - It’s only through the power of Christ in us that we can do those things.
Let’s go back to the earlier illustration of me and my new walking partner. If you haven’t made Christ Lord of your life yet, the reason you’re outside looking in is because you haven’t responded to the invitation.
This Sunday, we will partake in communion, which is a time of remembrance of what Christ did for us on the cross. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
That act is what made the invitation to the party possible.
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
“On the cross, Christ took our sin upon Himself, paying the penalty we deserve, so that for those who respond to the invitation, God sees the righteousness of His Son when He looks at us.”
However, we still need to respond to that invitation by making Jesus, Lord of our lives—by admitting that we are sinners, believing that Jesus died in our place and rose again so that we may have a restored relationship with God, and doing everything we can to live for His glory.
This Sunday, you’ll hear Chad talk about how God has given us instructions on how to put everything in our lives in its proper place.
All of that starts with responding to the invitation of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.
If you haven’t done that yet, consider doing so today. Reach out to someone you know who has and talk to them about it.
If you have already responded to the invitation of Christ, take time to pause and pray. Allow God to direct you to someone with whom you should share the invitation.
Adam