2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, living a Christ-centred
life is a call to order our lives under the teachings and example of Jesus
Christ. In doing so, we bring honour to God and cultivate a life that is
fruitful, peaceful and marked by love, joy, and hope.
In the Gospel of John 15:4-5, Jesus tells us, "Remain
in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must
remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am
the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear
much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing." This statement by
Jesus is a perfect depiction of what a Christ-centred life should look like.
To live a Christ-centred life means to remain connected to
Jesus, drawing our strength, guidance, and nourishment from Him. Like a branch
connected to the vine, our spiritual lives thrive when they are closely
attached to Jesus, the true vine.
Living a Christ-centred life also means to love God with all
our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbour as ourselves.
This is the greatest commandment, as emphasised by Jesus in Mark 12:30-31. We
express our love for God through obedience, worship, and devotion, while our
love for others is displayed through acts of kindness, empathy, and selfless
service.
A Christ-centred life is characterised by pursuing personal
holiness and righteousness. In Matthew 5:48, Jesus says, "Be perfect,
therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." To be perfect as God
is perfect is to strive to live in accordance to God's holy standards, being
led by the Holy Spirit, rejecting sin and choosing righteousness. Though we may
falter, the grace of God, which is abundantly available through Christ, helps
us get back on track.
In living a Christ-centred life, we also embody the fruits
of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23; love, joy, peace, forbearance,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are not
mere human traits, but divine qualities that are cultivated in us as we walk
with Christ.
Last, to live a Christ-centred life is to actively
participate in the Great Commission, spreading the Gospel and making disciples
of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Our lives should be a living testimony of
God's transformative power, influencing others to come to the saving knowledge
of Christ.
Let us, therefore, strive to live a Christ-centred life. Let
us remain connected to Christ, love God and others, pursue holiness and
righteousness, cultivate the fruits of the Spirit, and take part in the Great Commission.
In doing so, we bring honour and glory to God while living a truly purposeful
and fulfilling life. May God grant us the grace and strength to pursue this
path faithfully. Amen.